philipus Posted June 9, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted June 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm trying to get a good grip on what books about the Leica rangefinder system - cameras, lenses and accessories - there are (I am less interested in the R and the S systems, though if they would happen to be covered that is naturally also interesting and OK). Â Ideally the book or books should cover both history, development and technical facts about the equipment. Â I've seen mentions of books by Hove, Laney, Puts, Eastland etc but I don't know which one to get and would appreciate some help. Â Cheers and thanks Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 Hi philipus, Take a look here Recommendations re Leica books. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
algrove Posted June 9, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted June 9, 2012 I remember a thread on this subject like a year ago or so. I know Stephen Patterson shot his book shelf (as did others) and many Leica books were in the photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted June 9, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted June 9, 2012 There are a number of downloadable older Leica books to be found here. They are worth having just for interest. Â Leica camera instruction manuals, leicaflex camera instruction manual Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 9, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted June 9, 2012 Philip, Â Leica M Advanced Photo School by Gunter Osterloh is probably the most comprehensive of them all in relation to Leica rangefinder photography but it depends what you're looking for. If, for example, you're looking for camera and lens reviews then Leica Compendium by Erwin Puts contains a wealth of knowledge but if you're looking for a book that informs about the various accessories that have been produced over the years then The Leica Accessory Guide (Hove Books) is your better bet. Â Also Brian Bower's books on Leica M and Leica R systems are very informative and contain some excellent illustrative photos. Â Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 9, 2012 Share #5  Posted June 9, 2012 For only €7 the new ebook from Erwin Puts is an incredible value packed with knowledge and history. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!  See the thread below for details.  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/233265-e-puts-ebook.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 9, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted June 9, 2012 I would agree wholeheartedly with the recommendations by Pete Farnsworth above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted June 10, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted June 10, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) +1 for Leica M Advanced Photo School by Osterloh. It's a great all around Leica M reference book. Â Another good volume to have on hand is Leica Manual, the Complete Book of 35mm Photography (15th edition) authored by Morgan, Vestal and Broecker. Â The 15th edition was published in 1973; I found my copy through Amazon. It is an older but still valuable reference for Leica connoisseurs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share #8 Â Posted June 10, 2012 Thanks very much for these tips! I have just ordered Puts's book as a starting point and will look into the Osterloh book too. Â Edit: I'm very impressed with Put's book. It is precisely what I was after. Â Cheers Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted June 10, 2012 Share #9  Posted June 10, 2012 There are many books available:  Puts:  Leica Compendium Leica Lens Compendium  Osterloh:  Applied Leica Technique Leica M Advanced Photo School Leica M  Scheerer:  The Leica and Leica System  Others:  The Leica and Leicaflex way Leica 50 & 75 Anniversary books The Leica Manual (Get the last edition, Large with color pictures) My Life with Leica (There are two books by this name, one is a novel)  There are many many more, all pretty much either catalogs or film based technical manual.  There was this fairly recent book (in leica terms) in japanese, claiming to have a photo of every leica model ever made. It was not true, but it's a lovely book, with nice pretty photos of what they did have. More of a gear art book.  There is also the Magazines, Leica Photography, Leica Photographie, and later LFI. LFI, has reduced it's information density in this current iteration, but older Magazines, are really useful, and the ads are interesting.  Sorry thats all I brought with me to china, I have many other books in my library in the states, otherwise I could continue with many other choices.  P.S. I am ignoring the Leica M8 by Bower and the M9 by Taylor, as other than a light overview they are useless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 10, 2012 Share #10 Â Posted June 10, 2012 Â P.S. I am ignoring the Leica M8 by Bower and the M9 by Taylor, as other than a light overview they are useless. Â Oh, not sure I agree with you my friend about David Taylor's "Leica M9 Guide". Obviously it's a bit basic for Philip, but if more new M9 owners with no previous Leica experience would read this book there would be a lot fewer repetitive threads on the forum, such as the always popular "Are Zeiss lenses any good?", or the riveting "What's white balance and is it important?" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPJMP Posted June 10, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted June 10, 2012 +1 on Leica Advanced Photo School by Osterloh. I have several books about Leica history and rangefinder technique and that one is by far the best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted June 11, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted June 11, 2012 Oh, not sure I agree with you my friend about David Taylor's "Leica M9 Guide". Obviously it's a bit basic for Philip, but if more new M9 owners with no previous Leica experience would read this book there would be a lot fewer repetitive threads on the forum, such as the always popular "Are Zeiss lenses any good?", or the riveting "What's white balance and is it important?" Â This from a man who recommends Puts? I feel for the person who starts out with the "M" at the level who needs the "Leica M9 Guide". Did you take your first flight training in a F15? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmocrat Posted June 11, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted June 11, 2012 To get a great overview of Leica equipment throughout history, short of a mention of the M9M and X2, is Leica Pocket Book: 8th Edition by Brian Bowers (Hove Press). This is a Leica quality book with nice cloth hard binding, nice end sheets and heavy paper, but at a very affordable prices Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #14 Â Posted June 11, 2012 Thank you very much everybody, I appreciate your help. Â I have now also got the Leica Manual, an old 12th edition which is very fun to read. Â Scheerer's "The Leica and Leica System" is the last one really from 1960 (3rd ed)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted June 11, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted June 11, 2012 I really like "The Leica Book" by Theo Kisselbach. It may be a bit old now, but its still a good resource, has loads of info and good advice. The link is just for information really. My original copy was from the library and I was gutted when I had to take it back (in 1977 !). I had no trouble getting a second hand copy a few years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 11, 2012 Share #16  Posted June 11, 2012 One of the best books available for facts about Leica cameras and lenses including performance data for nearly every Leica lens made since 1925 is The Leica Pocket Book 8th Edition.  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/230217-leica-pocket-book-new-8th-edition.html   dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 11, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted June 11, 2012 I really like "The Leica Book" by Theo Kisselbach. It may be a bit old now, but its still a good resource, has loads of info and good advice. The link is just for information really. My original copy was from the library and I was gutted when I had to take it back (in 1977 !). I had no trouble getting a second hand copy a few years ago. By coincidence, I have just spent an hour re-reading my copy, bought new in 1967, which brought back many happy memories of life with my M3. It is clearly dated, but nonetheless very readable, with some good illustrations and helpful general advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 12, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted June 12, 2012 This from a man who recommends Puts? I feel for the person who starts out with the "M" at the level who needs the "Leica M9 Guide". Did you take your first flight training in a F15? Â Â I say again Taylor is excellent for someone coming into Leica and rangefinders for the first time, but has useful information for everyone. In one easy to navigate book you can find information on Leica history, nomenclature, bodies, lenses (including Zeiss and CV), menus, maintenance, accessories, LR workflow, and much, much more. Yes, some of the information is basic Photography 101 stuff, but far from all. Many people discover or rediscover serious photography with the purchase of an M9. I have been to enough seminars, classes and meetings to know that many of these people do not know the ins and outs or full capabilities of their equipment. Â For you to dismiss it as useless is a disservice to other members who might read this thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted June 12, 2012 Share #19 Â Posted June 12, 2012 Â I say again Taylor is excellent for someone coming into Leica and rangefinders for the first time, but has useful information for everyone. Â Well, we will have to agree to disagree about Taylor's book. I have it, I don't care for it. I think there are much better and thorough resources. I have listed just a few. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budhudson Posted June 12, 2012 Share #20  Posted June 12, 2012 Gents - i have just bought it as an easy reference and introductory guide  My M9 is new to me (i also have X1 for over a year or so) so any info (however basic) to help me get the best is welcome  Will also check out some of the other titles once i get this one and finish it  Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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