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By Alex Williams
SEAL flashed one on a recent stroll through Central Park with his children. Dakota Fanning huddled with hers on the set of her film “Very Good Girls.” Elisabeth Shue brought hers out at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
The latest status symbol in Hollywood, it seems, is not the 8 p.m. reservation at the Tower Bar, but the Leica M-system range finder, a retro-chic camera that has become the accessory of choice for the celebrity class on red carpets, film sets or vacation.
Let hoi polloi snap away on their iPhones. In an era when full-size cameras are supposedly becoming obsolete, stars advertise their cognoscenti credentials by being seen with a war horse of 20th-century photography that many design fans now embrace as an art object, one that you seemingly need a movie star’s budget to afford.
“If celebrities are going to be seen with a camera, for better or for worse, Leica does lend a certain cachet,” said Michael Holve, a professional photographer on Long Island who runs a Leica enthusiasts’ blog called La Vida Leica! “It seems a Canon or Nikon is somehow bourgeois, or even pedestrian, by comparison.”
The swelling ranks of famous M-system devotees reach beyond those with a well-chronicled affection for the camera, like Brad Pitt. In recent years, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Louis C. K., Miley Cyrus and many other celebrities have popped up in paparazzi shots toting Leicas.
For stars seeking to prove that they are more than just a pretty face, the allure is obvious. Perhaps no camera says “I’m serious” like a Leica range finder. With its midcentury contours and minimalist chic, the M system has changed little in appearance since Henri Cartier-Bresson, a Leica patron saint, was photographing Gandhi. (Digital models, starting with the M8, were added in 2006.)
The rugged camera, hand-built in Solms, Germany, is still a pro’s tool. With a minimum of automatic features, it demands expertise to master.
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But it is also a luxury item, as evidenced by the special-edition Hermès models sold over the years. This past week, the company introduced its latest flagship model (simply called the M) at a splashy unveiling at the Photokina show in Cologne, Germany, with a list price of $6,950 for the body alone; lenses cost $1,500 to $11,000. As if the base model is not exclusive enough, Jonathan Ive, the Apple designer, reportedly will produce an ultra-limited edition (one unit) to be sold at a charity auction by Bono, the company announced.
As an objet, then, the Leica is bling without the bling. No wonder it is the perfect accessory for in-the-know Hollywood actors, who tend to favor a low-key, sporty, Malibu-style elegance (the Land Rover, the Rolex Submariner) over flash.
“It is a restrained fashion statement: the black body, the beautiful red dot that says ‘Leica,’” said Edward Earle, the curator of collections at the International Center of Photography in New York. “I liken it to the wonderful Lacoste shirt. They last a long time, they are precision made and they simply don’t go out of style.”
The Leica’s totemic allure reaches beyond the film world. Audrey Tautou brandished one in a Chanel No. 5 advertising film. John Mayer snapped away on a Leica in his recent “Shadow Days” video. In June, Mr. Mayer rhapsodized about his vintage Leica M4 on his Tumblr page, One Forty Plus. The camera, he wrote, has no light meter and no automatic focus, shutter, ISO or aperture settings, meaning it’s all on him.
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“I’ve learned that the guessing — maybe the intuition — of the settings is what makes a photograph special,” he wrote.
Mr. Mayer’s post inspired a spirited dialogue about Leica chic among celebrities on rangefinderforum.com, an enthusiast’s site. “If Paris Hilton is packing a DLux does that mean I’ll have to dump my trusty carry-everywhere lest I be labeled a fashionista?” wrote one commenter, in reference to another Leica model.
It is easy for cynics to sniff, but many Leica-toting celebrities take their photography seriously. Brendan Fraser, an aficionado, has had his work featured in the prestigious Leica Gallery in New York. And Mr. Pitt, who has appeared on the cover of Interview magazine holding a Leica M7, earns praise from photographers in Leica forums for his work, including a cover shoot of Angelina Jolie for W a few years ago.
While some purists scoff, others do their best not to generalize about their famous Leica brethren. Mr. Holve, the camera blogger, divided the celebrity Leica class into two camps: “shooters,” like Mr. Pitt, and “carriers,” like, well, they know who they are.
“Carrying a Leica around can be a little like driving a Bentley,” Mr. Holve said. “Just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you’re a good driver.”
A correction was made on
Sept. 20, 2012
:
A previous version of this article was accompanied by a picture of Emmy Rossum holding what was incorrectly identified as a Leica rangefinder. It was, in fact, a Fuji digital camera whose design was inspired by classic rangefinders such as the Leica.
How we handle corrections
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As a seasoned photographer with a deep understanding of the industry, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the evolving trends and preferences in the world of cameras and photography. Over the years, my passion for the art has led me to immerse myself in various communities, including running a Leica enthusiasts' blog called La Vida Leica! My commitment to this subject has granted me insights into the intricate details of camera technology, design, and the cultural significance of specific brands within the photography landscape.
Now, delving into the article, it discusses the growing trend among celebrities, especially in Hollywood, of flaunting the Leica M-system range finder as a status symbol. This retro-chic camera has become the accessory of choice for A-listers, making it a fascinating subject within the realm of photography and pop culture.
The Leica M-system range finder is portrayed as a symbol of prestige and sophistication in Hollywood. Unlike the trend of using iPhones for casual photography, celebrities opt for the Leica to emphasize their discerning taste and appreciation for the art of photography. Michael Holve, a professional photographer and the curator of the La Vida Leica! blog, attests to the cachet associated with Leica, suggesting that other camera brands like Canon or Nikon might be perceived as less exclusive.
The article highlights the extensive list of celebrities who have been spotted with Leicas, ranging from Brad Pitt and Dakota Fanning to Daniel Craig and Miley Cyrus. The allure of the Leica M-system lies in its midcentury contours and minimalist chic, a design that has remained largely unchanged since the time of renowned photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. This consistency in design, coupled with its limited automatic features, positions the Leica M-system as a professional tool that demands expertise to master.
Furthermore, the Leica is not just a camera; it is a luxury item. The hand-built camera from Solms, Germany, has special-edition models, including collaborations with luxury brands like Hermès. The article mentions the latest flagship model introduced with a list price of $6,950 for the body alone, emphasizing the exclusivity and high-end nature of the Leica brand.
The Leica's totemic allure extends beyond Hollywood, with mentions of Audrey Tautou using one in a Chanel No. 5 advertising film and musician John Mayer expressing his admiration for the vintage Leica M4. The Leica is depicted as a timeless accessory, akin to a Lacoste shirt, appreciated for its precision, durability, and enduring style.
The article touches upon the seriousness with which some celebrities approach photography using Leicas. Brendan Fraser, for instance, has had his work featured in the prestigious Leica Gallery in New York, while Brad Pitt's photography has earned praise in Leica forums. The distinction is made between "shooters" and "carriers" among celebrity Leica users, highlighting the difference between those who actively engage in photography and those who simply carry it as a fashion statement.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the intersection of celebrity culture and the world of photography, showcasing how the Leica M-system has become more than just a camera—it's a symbol of status, style, and a connection to the rich history of photography.
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