Leica Reflex Photography - Brian Bower

INTRODUCTION

Although I am a Nikon Camera Collector, and I have more than 20 manual Nikon bodies in my collections, owning a Leica M6 and Leica R8 is always a dream for me. I believe it is not only my dream, but also dream of many photographers, both amateurs and professionals, around the world.

I worked for Leica Instruments Singapore, and it is a pity we don’t manufacture Leica Cameras. But I do have the opportunities to get the feel of some of the world best cameras when some of our visitors from Leica Europe visited us.

Not able to own a Leica now does not stop me from getting to know more about them. With the help of one of my friends from New York, I managed to get hold of the book ‘Leica Reflex Photography’ by Brian Bower, at a reasonable used price of just $10. Although the book is not in the best condition, but it is sufficient for some really good information about the Leica reflex camera and systems.

DESCRIPTION AND CONTENTS

The ‘Leica Reflex Photography’ came in paperback version, slightly larger than a A4 size paper.

It consists of 152 pages and the contents can be break up into the following categories

1.History of the older Leica Reflex Cameras.

2.The New Flagship Leica R8

3.Leica R Lenses

4.Leica Reflex Camera Accessories

5.Reflex Photography Techniques

6.Films & Flash

7.Buying 2nd Hand Leica

8.Collectable Leica Reflex Camera

9.Detail Table for Leica Reflex Camera, Lenses & Accessories

It also provides lots of pictures taken with Leica Reflex Camera, together with the superb quality Leica R lenses.

BOOK REVIEW

For a start, you will get a very good history review of the Leica Reflex Camera. From the very early Leicaflex to the Leica R7, you will get detail descriptions of the function and duration of each and every model available before the new flagship Leica R8 came into the picture. For someone new to Leica Reflex Camera, it provides pictures of the every camera, so it is easier for anyone to visualize the look of it. I am rather disappointed that the book does not provide a pictorial presentation of every camera internal construction.

Next, it provides a special chapter on the new Leica R8. This is a very descriptive section of the Leica R8. Everything you want to know about the R8 was written clearly and accurate. As I have used a Leica R8 before, it is easier for me to understand what was written in the chapter. But even without any hand on experience with the camera, it should be easy to understand and appreciate the great design by Leica.

Coming to the Leica R Lenses, it offers a very clear and detail description of both new and older Leica R lenses, and also provides the internal construction diagrams for the lenses. Reading through the chapter will make you appreciate why Leica is a leader in optical design, in the past, the present and will be the same in the future. I believe that is the reason why some professional photographers are willing to pay that sort of premium for a Leica Lenses. As I am a Leica employee, I know the quality of Leica optics, and the standard we are setting to ensure full customer satisfaction.

Follow on is a few chapters on photography techniques. Chapters includes the following,

1. Getting Max. Sharpness

   
   




2. Useful Accessories

   
   




3. Exposure

   
   




4. Close-Up Photography

   
   




5. Photographing People

   
   




6. Landscape

   
   




7. Travel

   
   




8. Natures and Wildlife

   
   




9. Film

   
   

I am a photographer for about a decade, and I have read many photography books and have attended many photography workshops. After reading the book, I find many useful techniques that I have not really tried or heard of. It will be very beneficial to anyone who wants to learn Reflex Photography. I applied what I learn from the book with my Nikon F3, and it proved to be good.

Coming the end of the book is the tips on buying 2nd hand Leica Reflex Camera and the Collectable Leica Reflex Camera. It revealed some very important information to potential buyer of Leica Reflex Camera as well as knowing more about Collectable Leica Reflex Camera. It will be very beneficial to read through this section.

The last section of the book is the tables for the following

1. Leica Reflex Cameras

   
   




2. Leica ‘R’ Lens Compatibility

   
   




3. Earlier Leica R Lenses

   
   




4. Accessories for Older Lenses

   
   




5. ‘M’ Visoflex Lenses on the Reflex Cameras

   
   

Besides just providing the detail description and information, the book also have many photos taken with the Leica Reflex Camera of any model and lenses. From the great pictures it is easy to understand why Leica cost so much as compared to the rest.

SUMMARY

After reading this book, I can really understand and appreciate the great Leica Reflex Cameras. No doubt I still cannot afford to own one for myself. But hopefully, in the future, I can have a Leica R8. It is still a dream, but I hope I can realize it.

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