The earliest Leica prototypes were developed by the company Ernst Leitz during the first years of the 20th century, but marketing did not commence until the mid 1920s. The Leicas were innovative, by orienting the image frame sideways for the 35 mm film as opposed to the cine-camera tradition of across the film-strip. The cameras were compact with collapsible lenses, for hiking and biking. The rangefinder feature was added with the Leica II during 1932, and that year both rangefinder and viewfinder cameras became available with interchangeable lenses. In 1933 the Leica III offered slow-speed shutter controls and a fast 1/1000th shutter speed, and various iterations of the III (a,b,c,d,f,&g) series became the flagship models and best sellers into the late 1950s. Further iterations of the models I and II were offered, but did not sell well.
Prior to WWII Leica and competing Contax cameras from Zeiss Ikon were considered to be the finest 35mm cameras, but post-WWII the companies had competition from Soviet and Japanese copies. During the 1950s Japanese quality and innovation, along with low pricing, devastated the European camera industry. Leica became an expensive type of camera bought largely by professional or serious photographers. However, the advent of reflex camera technology made rangefinders somewhat obsolete, leaving Leica the main product of a diminishing market segment. Leica has remained a notable trade-name into the 21st Century.
The original producer of the cameras, Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now three companies: Leica Camera AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems GmbH, which manufacture cameras, geosurvey equipment, and microscopes, respectively. Leica Microsystems GmbH owns the Leica brand and licenses its use by the other two companies.

LEICA

(1979)Paul began repairing lenses at Angenieux on the east coast. (1989)Paul moved to California to head up the lens department at Clairmont Camera in North Hollywood. Aside from the repair and maintenance of Clairmont's extensive inventory, Paul was involved in special projects such as the development of the Cooke S-4 series of lenses, the Canon 150-600 conversions, and the Clairmont Swing Shift system. (1996)Paul joined Kish Optics Inc. There he continued repairing motion picture lenses as well as helped develop new products including the Mesmerizer, anamorphic lenses, and the Ultimate Directors Finder. (2002)Paul then founded Duclos Lenses and brought aboard his son Matthew Duclos to assist with the repair of lenses and development of products. The need for lens accessories was filled with a line of products including carry handles, motor brackets, and caps for the Angenieux Optimo Series and other lenses. (2004)Kish, Paul, and Carl Pernicone were presented with a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their work on the Ultimate Directors Finder. (2007)Duclos Lenses moved to a new location in the West end of the San Fernando Valley in order to expand their operation and accommodate more technicians and equipment. (2009)Duclos Lenses announced and released their proprietary PL mount cinema conversion process of the Tokina 11-16mm, a lens that began as a fun project and turned into a very successful little lens with many imitators. (2012)Duclos Lenses quickly outgrew their humble facility and upgraded to their current Lens Lab located in Chatsworth California. 

Film shot with LEICA-R CINEMOD

LEICA-R CINEMOD