Happy 100th Anniversary, Leica I: Here's How to Celebrate

In today’s modern digital photo and video camera space, there are a lot of fly-by-night brands that come and go. It really means you’re something special if you get the chance to stay around for a few years and come out with a couple of cameras and innovations.But the biggest companies with the best legacies are the ones that stretch beyond years and into centuries. Leica is one of these brands with a history that dates back to the 1800s. Over the course of 2025, the company is planning to celebrate its 100-year history of the company’s iconic Leica I camera, in particular with events across the globe.Here’s what you need to know.The History of the Leica IWhile Leica the company dates back to the founding by Ernst Leitz in 1869 in Wetzlar, Germany, the history of the Leica I, the first commercially available Leica 35mm camera, dates back to 1924—making it 100 years old this year. To celebrate, Leica is hosting several “high-caliber” events in Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo, culminating in an anniversary week in Wetzlar. The company shares that it is “looking forward to an anniversary year full of highlights and inspiring moments. We are excited to continue writing the story of a legend.” Here are some highlights of this year’s celebration, which is set to kick off with an event in Dubai.Spectacular Anniversary Opening in DubaiThe first stop of the celebration tour is set to begin in Dubai, the city of superlatives, innovations, and visions, according to the company. In addition to an illustrious event for invited guests featuring impressive highlights, the company shares that it is presenting a spectacular illumination projected onto the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Like the Burj Khalifa skyscraper (again, according to Leica), the Leica I also represented an important milestone for photography back in 1925. The company plans to use the world’s tallest building in the center of Dubai, which is constantly breaking new records, as a projection surface for a unique illumination to honor the Leica I, which was visionary in its own time, with a spectacular light show reaching dizzying heights and told our fascinating story, for which quality and innovation are still key pillars today.Exclusive Book PublicationAlong with the Burj Khalifa and an event at the Dubai Opera, the company also revealed plans to release a book called “Dubai: Light, Lens and Legacy – Celebrating a Century of Leica,” in which the company will further honor the city of Dubai. In the book, five Emirati Leica photographers have captured Dubai’s past and present, as well as their deep connection to their homeland, from their own personal perspectives. These are revealed in 100 pictures that say more than 1,000 words. If you’re interested in learning more about the event, you can find details on Leica’s website here.

Feb 13, 2025 - 22:30

Happy 100th Anniversary, Leica I: Here's How to Celebrate

In today’s modern digital photo and video camera space, there are a lot of fly-by-night brands that come and go. It really means you’re something special if you get the chance to stay around for a few years and come out with a couple of cameras and innovations.

But the biggest companies with the best legacies are the ones that stretch beyond years and into centuries. Leica is one of these brands with a history that dates back to the 1800s. Over the course of 2025, the company is planning to celebrate its 100-year history of the company’s iconic Leica I camera, in particular with events across the globe.

Here’s what you need to know.

The History of the Leica I

While Leica the company dates back to the founding by Ernst Leitz in 1869 in Wetzlar, Germany, the history of the Leica I, the first commercially available Leica 35mm camera, dates back to 1924—making it 100 years old this year.

To celebrate, Leica is hosting several “high-caliber” events in Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo, culminating in an anniversary week in Wetzlar. The company shares that it is “looking forward to an anniversary year full of highlights and inspiring moments. We are excited to continue writing the story of a legend.”

Here are some highlights of this year’s celebration, which is set to kick off with an event in Dubai.

Spectacular Anniversary Opening in Dubai

The Leica I Celebrates its 100-Year Anniversary With Giant Multi-City Event

The first stop of the celebration tour is set to begin in Dubai, the city of superlatives, innovations, and visions, according to the company. In addition to an illustrious event for invited guests featuring impressive highlights, the company shares that it is presenting a spectacular illumination projected onto the Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

Like the Burj Khalifa skyscraper (again, according to Leica), the Leica I also represented an important milestone for photography back in 1925.

The company plans to use the world’s tallest building in the center of Dubai, which is constantly breaking new records, as a projection surface for a unique illumination to honor the Leica I, which was visionary in its own time, with a spectacular light show reaching dizzying heights and told our fascinating story, for which quality and innovation are still key pillars today.

Exclusive Book Publication

Along with the Burj Khalifa and an event at the Dubai Opera, the company also revealed plans to release a book called “Dubai: Light, Lens and Legacy – Celebrating a Century of Leica,” in which the company will further honor the city of Dubai.

In the book, five Emirati Leica photographers have captured Dubai’s past and present, as well as their deep connection to their homeland, from their own personal perspectives. These are revealed in 100 pictures that say more than 1,000 words.

If you’re interested in learning more about the event, you can find details on Leica’s website here.