forest Posted October 5, 2006 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello to all Im new to this forum, I am completely ignorant to leicas cameras. I was given an assignment in school to redesign an image that represents leica cameras. And I thought who better to ask about this amazing camera than its users. So I am asking for suggestions for what you consider to be the essence of this camera. what image comes to mind if any. What do you feel as an owner? Do you trully feel the camera is a part of you as their ad states, or is there another description that would be more appropriate. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated Forest, Los Angeles California Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2006 Posted October 5, 2006 Hi forest, Take a look here Redesign Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
brunom Posted October 5, 2006 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2006 Forest Hi The Leica is to me like a chef's favourite cooking pots etc. Other utensils will still cook the food but the user derives some sort of pleasure using items that have a tactile feel and which give confidence that the result you want will be achieved. The same applies I suppose to a favourite chair or item of clothing. Regards Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted October 5, 2006 Share #3 Posted October 5, 2006 Very high quality, simplicity, function, tradition, German. Good luck on your assignment. - Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted October 5, 2006 Share #4 Posted October 5, 2006 Very high quality, simplicity, function, tradition, German. Forest, This pretty much sums it up for me as well. The simplicity of the system really does make it feel like the camera is a part of me. Other camera systems (rangefinder or SLR) that I've used don't quite have this feeling for me. There is something in Leicas that somehow create a whole greater than the sum of the parts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossifan Posted October 5, 2006 Share #5 Posted October 5, 2006 Forest - In the grand tradition of Bauhaus - form follows function and, to quote Mies van der Rohe, less is more. Beyond quotes, I would say that my Leica M is a truly elegant piece of machinery that fits into my life like my Eames chairs - in other words, life is enhanced by it's mere presence and it's functionality is a HUGE part of that. Best, Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 5, 2006 Share #6 Posted October 5, 2006 Forest, in addition to all comments above, the Leica inspires confidence in your work. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted October 5, 2006 Share #7 Posted October 5, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Forest Absolutely essential reading in this context is: Views of Brand Culture - LEICA by Albus & Heine, publ. Nicolai, Berlin, ISBN 3 87584 106 9 (Parallel text in English and German.) Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lambroving Posted October 5, 2006 Share #8 Posted October 5, 2006 Forest, Not an easy thing to explain unless you are a photographer. Leica's old advertising slogan was "My Point of View". Leica M's force you to see the picture in your mind and then frame it in the very bright, very clear viewfinder. Not everyone will take to this naturally, but for those who do, this solid, compact, precision device will usually "capture" it as you saw it, and often the results are stunning. Since the new corporate website no longer contains the viewfinder versions, go to Leica Camera AG - Photography - Leica à la carte and use the configurator to build an M until you get to the viewfinder versions. That will give you some idea what we are seeing. You will note that there is room outside the brightlines for the various focal lengths and that you are not looking through a tunnel. In LA you might want to ask Chris Weeks how he feels about his Leicas. :::::::::::: Chris Weeks Portfolio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted October 5, 2006 Share #9 Posted October 5, 2006 Simplicity. It deals with light and attention in the lenses is to how it captures light(beams). And the camera itself is just a box that can hold the lens, help control the lens (the viewfinder) and control the amount of light arriving onto the film (the shutter). No delays, no shaky parts, no extra parts. Somehow they just got is almost perfect from the beginning. See http://leica.overgaard.dk for the Leica History. Your design assignment should probably only focus on the materials and colors. The size, functionality, etc. seems to be perfect. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_oneal Posted October 6, 2006 Share #10 Posted October 6, 2006 Forest, when you pick up a Leica, you know you have something different in your hands. It is solid an yet precise. It leads you to the picture you want. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted October 6, 2006 Share #11 Posted October 6, 2006 Hi Forest! Welcome to the Forum, and I hope your assignment leads you (and others in your class!) to Leica ownership someday soon. The Leica "M" has been described as a "black bar of gold" both for its weighty, dense solid feel and (unfortunately) its price! Part of its appeal is its long line of "M" ancestors, some of whom took the most memorable pictures of the 20th Century, in the hands of incomparable photographic artists (Cartier-Bresson, Capa, Harvey, and others). The camera is now fifty-odd years old, and basically unchanged (in its MP iteration at least) from its original, basic, functional rangefinder design. Leica's new ads, with the "Borg" look (as I call it) reflect my own passion for my black MP. It is small enough that a subject can still see my face as I use it--it becomes a part of me without overpowering me (unlike some single lens reflex cameras). So how do you redesign an object that is already compact, ergonomic and solidly built? I really don't know, but if you can do that convincingly Leica will probably hire you on the spot! Thanks. Allan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 6, 2006 Share #12 Posted October 6, 2006 Hi Forest, Interesting idea for a school project! Have you looked at a Leica M or R yourself? Even better one of the vintage screw lens cameras, the original Leica. If not go and look at some, handle some in a camera shop. That will give you a good feel for what makes Leica different. Simple, functional, minimalist design & ultimate optical quality is what its about IMO. What has been lost in time which was the raison d'etre of the original Leica is that it should also be as compact as possible - note how the lens was designed to retract into the body, much in the way most compact digital cameras do today. Good luck - post your results here, it will be fun to see. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 6, 2006 Share #13 Posted October 6, 2006 Hi Forest,Woodsy Tree etc Re: Redesign Leica just read the last 12 months before the M8 came out there are literally thousands of ideas a real comedy ps search the old forum if you do not want to retain any mental stability Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisweeks Posted October 6, 2006 Share #14 Posted October 6, 2006 Leica ... for ... me ... is ... reduced to what is essential to make a photograph. and make it well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted October 6, 2006 Share #15 Posted October 6, 2006 When you suggest "redesign Leica," instantly I think of the company not the product. The cameras and optics are right on: the company's orgaization needs a tweak here or there. Meeting production and delivery commitments with a read-to-go camera comes to mind. Welcome Forest. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forest Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share #16 Posted October 6, 2006 Thanks to all who have responded to this post. I went this morning and handled for the first time this SOLID camera, very nice. I just wanted clarify what my assignment is. I dont have to redesign the camera, I just have to come up with one image redesigning the look and feeling and a style to who they are. Possibly an ad for the camera. I'm using the image on their website leica-camera.us/campaign.html as a staring point. Also, If any one knows of any good website sources for their advertising campaigns over the 50 plus years that would be great! I will post my image in this site when Im done with the assignment. Thanks, Forest, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pxlpal2 Posted October 6, 2006 Share #17 Posted October 6, 2006 The U.S. dollar or the Euro sign, in huge red script...Leica red, of course... Regards, Frank M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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