Leica
-
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... -
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... -
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
-
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...
-
Only 16 Exist: Leica M3D-17 David Douglas Duncan - Jo Geier - Mint & Rare
In this video, we showcase one of the most extraordinary Leica cameras ever made — the Leica M3D-17, a limited edition tribute to legendary LIFE magazine photojournalist David Douglas Duncan.
Read more... -
Wo Sie Ihre Vintage-Kamera reparieren können und worauf Sie achten müssen
-
Leica I Mod. A 'Elmax'
The Leica I Mod. A is a milestone in the history of the LEITZ company and German camera history. Exactly 100 years ago, this camera, the world's first 35mm camera for normal cinema film, finally made the name E. LEITZ world-famous.
Read more... -
This Leica Collection Was Hidden for Years - Jo Geier - Mint & Rare
In this video, we unveil an extraordinary private Leica collection that has been hidden away for years.
Read more...
