• How the speculation started
• Leica says no
• An uncertain future

Photo: Leica

First Fujifilm announced that they would be ceasing production of their Sensia 35mm film and now a rather nasty rumour is circulating that Leica will no longer be producing film cameras, which if true would be spelling the slow imminent death of film photography.

How the speculation started

The rumour that Leica would be halting production of their film cameras was first brought up in article by a reputable Japanese newspaper called Asahi Shimbun. Further fuelling speculation on the sad fate of Leica film cameras the article, which appeared on the Japanese newspaper’s website, quoted Leica AG owner Andreas Kaufmann as saying ‘Leica Camera has already ceased production of film cameras.’

Leica says no

Photo: wertheim / Flickr

Responding to the article which spelled the end of the road for Leica film cameras, Leica issued a statement from the head office in Solms, Germany, saying that, ‘Leica Camera AG has not stopped producing its analogue camera models, the Leica M7 and Leica MP, nor does it currently have any intention to do so.’ This totally rubbished claims made in the Japanese newspaper, however did not entirely squash speculation that Leica would be ceasing production of their film cameras in the future. The statement then continued that, ’Although the demand for analogue Leica camera models is not high, it is stable, and we are still producing cameras on a daily basis as always. This is confirmed by a film made last year at the Leica factory showing analogue camera models being manufactured.’

An uncertain future

The fact that Leica admits that demand for their Leica film cameras has in fact slowed down, still spells an uncertain future for film photography at the camera maker and it won’t be surprising to find Leica in fact officially announcing the end of the line for their film cameras in the future.

The Leica M8 rangefinder was the first film camera to come from Leica and was responsible for the firm reputation which Leica has in the film photography industry. The end of days for film photography is near and some will say it’s all a matter of time now.