Chapters
Five Eras of Leica
Over a century of photography, Leica's story unfolds across five distinct chapters โ from Barnack's pocket-sized 35mm prototype to today's mirrorless systems.
1914โ1954
The Barnack Era
Oskar Barnack invents the 35mm camera. Screw-mount Leicas define photojournalism.
24 entriesExplore โ
1954โ2006
The M Film Era
The M3 debuts the bayonet mount. Rangefinder photography reaches its peak.
47 entriesExplore โ
1964โ2009
The R SLR Era
Leica answers the SLR wave with the Leicaflex and R system.
7 entriesExplore โ
2006โpresent
The Digital M Era
The M8 takes the rangefinder digital; the M9 goes full frame.
28 entriesExplore โ
2015โpresent
The Q & SL Era
Fixed-lens Q and mirrorless SL broaden Leica beyond the M.
25 entriesExplore โ