From Instagram snapshots to fine art, photography has been a way to communicate emotions since its earliest days. Today, we all want our photos to look their best—especially the ones we share online. But back then, photography was no easy task—from building cameras to producing images, photographers struggled with heavy, complex equipment, a far cry from what is available today. That changed when Leica developed a new camera system. A pioneer of the industry since 1869, Leica understood that a better camera could simplify the process and turn a good image into a great one, and they worked on it until they achieved it. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its iconic model (the Leica I). On this occasion, the Wetzlar-based manufacturer has joined forces with Graf von Faber-Castell to create a special anniversary edition.
The Leica I – A Revolution in Photography
At a time when photography was dominated by large, heavy cameras, tripods, and absurdly long exposure times, Leica was on the brink of changing everything. The company recognized that a more compact camera could transform how people see and practice photography. In 1925, it introduced the Leica I—a compact 35mm film camera that would revolutionize photography forever.
Developed by Oskar Barnack at Leitz (now Leica Camera AG), this system became the first commercially successful 35mm model. Its portable design marked a pivotal shift from bulky large-format cameras to a truly handheld photographic tool.
The Leica I featured a fixed Elmar 50mm f/3.5 lens, a mechanical shutter with speeds up to 1/500s—an outstanding performance compared to the era’s standard 1/100s–1/250s—and a sleek metal body that proved to be both reliable and portable. The new Leica I paved the way for modern 35mm photography and innovations such as interchangeable lenses and rangefinders in later models.
The Collection
The Graf von Faber-Castell x Leica Collection pays homage to the brand’s time-honored legacy and consists of two writing instruments under the theme ‘100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century’.
Perfect Pencil
The Perfect Pencil features a matte black finish with chrome-plated metal accents and an engraved Leica logo on the cap. Its fluted cedarwood body takes inspiration from Leica’s precision engineering, blending functionality with timeless design. This exclusive edition is limited to just 500 pieces worldwide.
Price: CHF 515
Ballpoint Pen
The ballpoint pen, also in a matte black finish, perfectly complements its counterpart. Both writing instruments embody the unmistakable aesthetic of Leica’s legendary cameras, featuring knurled details inspired by Leica’s iconic camera wheels. The ballpoint pen is limited to 375 pieces.
Price: CHF 410
Housed in a wooden box, each set carries Ernst Leitz II’s famous words embossed on the wooden box, “Ich entscheide hiermit: Es wird riskiert” (“I hereby decide: We will take the risk”), marking a pivotal moment in Leica’s history.
The collection is available at authorized retailers, and if you are a Leica user, it would be a pity not to have a perfect pencil join your next photography adventures.
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