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Leica M: Advanced Photo School (A Lark Photography Book)
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3 new or used available from $150.00
Average customer review:
Product Description
Leicas inspire more passion than any other camera, and the Leica M is the company's crowning achievement. That's why second-hand copies of the first edition of this popular cult camera book cost a fortune. Long-awaited, the new version is thoroughly updated by the man who wrote the original: Leica's former top technical expert, Gunter Osterloh. This reader-friendly course contains a goldmine of technical information, as well as a treasure trove of insider knowledge about the equipment. Leica's famed lenses alone receive almost 100 pages of coverage, and there are schematic diagrams, a discussion of optical principles, plenty of advice on how to shoot memorable pictures, and much more. Of course, every Leica M model from the M1 through today's Leica M7 camera is included, with explanations of metering, focusing, film advance, and flash systems, plus technical guidance on everything from existing-light photography to working in extreme climates. Professional and serious amateur photographers will snap up this unmatched guide, as will retailers, bookstores, collectors, and anyone else interested in fine cameras.
As a result of his long-time association with the company, Gunter Osterloh has witnessed every milestone in the development of Leica cameras. He served as Leica's leading technical expert for decades, and now is the technical editor of Leica Photography International and Leica World magazines, as well as an instructor at the Leica Academy.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #430624 in Books
- Published on: 2005-05-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 352 pages
Customer Reviews
New pix please!!
It is a heartwarming volume for Leica users, gives a meticulously detailed history of the brand and lots of info of particular models -- bodies, lenses, accessories. The section on how to photograph with a Leica though is truly a let-down. Like a basic teach yourself book on making sense of f-stops, focal length and shutter speed, illustrated with painfully mediocre and outdated snapshots. Way below Leica territory. I mean, c'mon! Half the world's best classic art photographs were made with Leicas, from Besson to Nan Golding, or even lesser masters, there's plenty of stuff to choose from. It would be worth an updated 3rd edition with totally new pictures, and of course the M8 included.
A Great Teaching Tool as Well as Leica Primer
I agree with the reviewers comments that accompany this book. Mr. Osterloh is well regarded in the Leica community and shows his depth and breath of knowledge in this well written and generously illustrated book. Pictures selected very clearly illustrate his points, and lead to a more thorough understanding and true learning.
The book also does a fine job of describing why rangefinder cameras have an almost cultlike following - the system is truly unique and when compared to SLR cameras the book makes clear the limits and strengths of each format.
Highly recommended for all photographers - Leica owners or not.
Worth the wait
I had to wait for some time before this book came. It was backordered and Amazon asked me if I still wanted it after a long period of time. I am extremely happy with the book.
I have some formal training in photography and still this book taught me a great deal. I still open it up after having it for a while. The format of the book makes sense, cameras, lenses, and so on, though the author only reviews the current model lenses and they're pretty much praise across the board. I bought a Leica M6 after I had this book for a month or so and have come to realize that most of what he writes is true. Leica systems are fantastic.
Outside of the standard equipment, body, lens, filters & gadgets, Osterloh also dedicated chapters to photography techiniques, use of light and so on. There are photo examples of differences which I found very helpful. One comment though, being from the USA, is that the film designations are different than what can be found in Germany. I switched from digital to film for this camera and while trying to compare different forms of film I wasn't able to use much of what was in this book. Nonetheless, it's definitely worth the money. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.
