
35mm rangefinder film camera (model IIf)
1951 · Steel, aluminum, leather, glass, and plastic
2 3/4 × 6 × 2 1/2" (7 × 15.2 × 6.4 cm)
Museum of Modern Art

Leica Camera AG is a German manufacturer of precision optical instruments founded in Wetzlar in 1914. The company's 35mm rangefinder camera systems, developed from Ernst Leitz's microscope lens technology, became foundational to modern photojournalism and documentary practice. Leica cameras are distinguished by their compact design, interchangeable lens mounts, and mechanical reliability, qualities that established the technical and aesthetic standards for handheld photography.
Source: Moma Bulk 2026 05 04 · Trust score: 92% · Updated 25d ago