Blog
-
Special Engravings on Leica Cameras - Jo Geier - Mint & Rare
When speaking of engravings in connection with Leica cameras, two types can be distinguished:
- The standard engravings of brand names and serial numbers, which are found on every Leica that was commercially available, and
- Special engravings, which were applied to special cameras or cameras for special customers or users, especially on screw-on Leicas from 1938 to 1945
Read more... -
Review: Nikon Reflex Nikkor 2000mm F11
This Blog post was written by Juza Yossarian, who has also reviewed other Superteles like the Canon EF 1200mm f/5,6 USM about one year ago. You will find this and many more interesting content in our Blog section.
Read more...
-
GOI Pioneer
Historical Context
The Soviet Union had a practice of copying successful foreign technologies, particularly from Germany, to rapidly develop its own industry. Leica copies were widespread in the USSR during the 1930s and 1940s. Cameras such as the FED and later the Zorki were also mass-produced Leica copies.
The State Optical Institute (GOI) in Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) is a major Russian research institution known for its work in optics, astronomy, and laser technology.
Read more... -
Henri Cartier-Bresson and His Cameras: A Chronological Journey
Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004), often described as the “father of modern photojournalism”, is remembered as much for his philosophy of the decisive moment as for the cameras that helped him achieve it.
Read more... -
Mint & Rare Podcast #5 - Henri Cartier-Bresson and his Cameras
In this episode, Jo Geier, founder of Mint & Rare and Wetzlar Camera Auctions, sits down with Felix Hoffmann of Foto Arsenal Vienna to explore the legacy of Henri Cartier-Bresson – his life, his philosophy of the decisive moment, and the Leica cameras that shaped his work.
Read more... -
When a Broken Camera Is More Valuable Than a Working One
Have an Old Camera? It Might Be Worth More Than You Think
If you’ve come across a vintage camera—something inherited, found in a box, or picked up at a flea market—it could be more than just a nice-looking old object. Some cameras are worth serious money, even if they no longer work. That’s especially true for rare models, prototype cameras and lenses, limited editions, or anything with an unusual history.
Read more... -
Where to Repair Your Vintage Camera And What to Watch Out For
-
Meet Us at the 61st Bièvres International Photo Fair – June 7–8, 2025
This June, Mint & Rare and Wetzlar Camera Auctions will be present at the 61st Bièvres International Photo Fair—a key annual event for collectors and vintage camera enthusiasts which we attend every year. We’ll be on-site with a dedicated stand offering consultations for anyone interested in buying or selling rare photographic gear.
Read more... -
Shocking Bidding Results at Wetzlar Camera Auctions - Jo Geier - Mint & Rare
In this video we talk about the most shocking price results from Wetzlar Camera Auctions.
Read more... -
Leica Prototype Cameras & Lenses: Rare Collector’s Guide
Most prototypes were never released to the public, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought after by serious collectors.
Read more...
