Customer Reviews

Leica: Witness to a Century

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A cofee table sized book, very well organized and laid out, stating very little new for old Leica fans but giving in not too many pages a brilliant summary of the relevance of the Leica as a photographer's tool from its inception to the 21st century dawn, stressing the points where the Leica was unique in any way. The book is finelly printed and bound and has a dynamic layout chock-full of good reproductions of the pictures that made history along the century. A bargain at the current price, IMHO.

I first saw this book in a Cambridge, UK library. I fell in love at first sight with it. The images it contain reflect all of our 20th century history through the view provided by the magnificent Leica lenses and shutters. The quality of the book is very good in terms of content and materials. The book contains a two page geneological tree of the Leica family at the end of it, so one can consume hours deepening into the Leica relatives and the evolution of a once in a lifetime photographic equipment experience.

This is a fun book for the Leica enthusiast. Unlike many of the Leica books I have seen this one is comprehensive in covering not only the cameras but the company and some of the famouse photos taken with a Leica. A good balance of text, photos, diagrams and history. A contemporay layout in graphic design makes this my favorite Leica book for an evening peruse.

Not a very detailed book but a nice overview of Leica's history, with excellent photos of some beautiful classic cameras. But probably not worth the price.

This is definitely a great introduction to Leica, the history of the Leica and the photographers who immortalized it. My only peeve, which keeps me from giving it 5 stars, is that it is mostly focused on photographs taken in Europe and America. I think the only Asian photograph I remember is the one of the mother and son in bombed out Hiroshima. There are a few photographs of Africa. A more world covering view would have been good with a title like "Witness to a century". Having said that, there are great photographs and photographers to discover in here. Also, the early history of Leica is a fascinating read and there are great illustrations of the cameras. Definitely worth reading, with the thought to keep in mind that it is the Century from a limited perspective.

What it is: It's a great coffee table book overviewing Leica cameras and hisotry. The book is a mix of Leica history, famous Leica cameras, famous photographer who used Leicas, and famous pictures taken with a Leica. There are lots of large picture of both the cameras and pictures taken with a Leica. It's nicely laid out and makes a pleasant, comfortable read.

What it is not: A detailed guide about every make and variation Leicas. It doesn't discuss lenses beyond the earlier lenses. It won't have every Leica photographer or famous photo either.

If you are buying this expecting an easy reading, coffeetable type book, you will be happy. If you are expecting a reference guide, you will not.