The Leica Lens Book [Hardcover]

Brian Bower (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

Leica lenses have set the industry standard for quality and innovation. All models are here in full and detailed survey, along with the technical aspects of their designs. Get advice on controlling perspective; taking close-ups; choosing an outfit; buying secondhand; and caring for lenses. Color and black-and-white photos throughout.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles Publishers (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715308173
• ISBN-13: 978-0715308172
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Idiosyncratic, chaotic, and omission-filled., August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Leica Lens Book (Hardcover)

The student of Leica photography and Leica lenses will find very little information about any lenses except the newest and most expensive in Leica's line. In addition, Bower fails at the most important task in a book of this sort, describing the imaging properties and optical quality of the lenses he does include. Anybody seriously interested in lenses for Leica cameras should look elsewhere, particularly in Gunther Osterloh's books and those of Theo Kisselbach.

But, Bower's photographs are wonderful, lusciously well reproduced, and as razor sharp as we expect from a top photographer using Leica glass. Instead of buying this book, get the same author's "Leica Reflex Photography." It has many of the same photos and, in soft cover, costs considerably less.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Read the pictures as well as the words, October 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Leica Lens Book (Hardcover)

I read the book,$45+4.1%, at Borders, and noticed that the text was lacking. The photos are not lacking and speak volumes with respect to the color properties of those leica lenses. For Leica M or R Camera/lense combinations, I find that Bowers pictures tell the real story. For example, look at the M-6/50mmf1.0 shot of the priest in M-6 by Bower. That is the truest, deepest color lense that I've used to date. The Leica lense brochure is also useful. Use slow film; PKR25, velvia, or agfa ultra 50, and your shots will equal the best.