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Leica at 100: A Century of Vision, Embraced by Xiaomi

It’s a pretty big year for photography buffs, and guess who’s been invited to the party? Leica, the legendary German camera maker, is celebrating its 100th anniversary of revolutionizing photography with the Leica I, first shown way back in 1925. They’ve been going all out with events worldwide, and it all wrapped up with a massive anniversary week in Wetzlar, Germany. And as big fans of how Xiaomi is making cutting-edge tech accessible, we’re super excited to see how this legendary brand is influencing mobile photography, especially with a special edition Xiaomi phone thrown into the mix!

The Groundbreaking Legacy of the Leica I

So, what’s the big deal about 1925? That’s when Leica, originally Ernst Leitz Optische Werke founded in 1914, dropped the Leica I. This wasn’t just another camera; it was the first mass-produced 35mm camera. Seriously, it changed everything. Suddenly, you had a compact, super-handy tool that opened up new avenues for photographers. Think street photography, gritty photojournalism – the kind of candid, in-the-moment shots that define so much of modern visual storytelling. While the company has a rich history, this centenary really hones in on that game-changing moment. Under the banner “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century,” they’ve been celebrating this legacy and looking ahead.

Global Celebrations: A Year of Iconic Moments

Throughout 2025, Leica has been quite busy, hosting events in major cities like Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo. These weren’t just small gatherings; we’re talking cultural projects, stunning exhibitions, and even special product editions. Dubai got a taste with a spectacular illumination on the Burj Khalifa, and Leica Galleries around the globe have been buzzing with activity. But the absolute heart of it all was the week-long anniversary bash in Wetzlar, Germany, Leica’s historic home turf, from June 25th to 28th, 2025. It was a global reunion of sorts, bringing together enthusiasts and industry folks from all over.

Wetzlar: The Epicenter of the Centennial Bash

The Wetzlar event was a four-day affair packed with incredible happenings. It kicked off on June 25th with a pre-opening ceremony at Wetzlar Cathedral. Picture this: 750 guests from over 40 countries, enjoying performances by the Bella Musica ensemble, the Leica Choir, and the super-talented trumpeter and photographer Till Brönner. A delightful flying buffet in the Cathedral Gardens capped off the evening.

The Grand Opening and Special Releases

June 26th marked the official opening ceremony. Speeches from key figures like Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and Matthias Harsch set the tone. This was also the moment for some seriously special product launches.

• M11-D “100 Years of Leica” Set: A limited edition of just 101 sets. It features the M11-D camera paired with the Leitz Anastigmat-M 50 f/3.5 and Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH lenses. It even has the serial number 6000000, making it a real collector’s piece, displayed alongside the original 1925 Leica I #126 at the Ernst Leitz Museum.
• Other Editions: We also saw the D-Lux 8, the SOFORT 2, 10×40 Trinovid binoculars, and a Germany-exclusive M11 “WETZLAR GERMANY,” limited to only 100 units.
• “100 Stories of Leica” Book: A new book was launched, filled with 100 tales from Leica’s rich history, available directly from Leica’s official store.

The exhibitions were equally impressive, including a retrospective of Joel Meyerowitz’s work (running June 29th to September 21st at the Ernst Leitz Museum), Édouard Elias’s “Witness,” and Jamie Cullum’s “These Are the Days” at the Leica Gallery Wetzlar. Plus, there were shows at the New Town Hall, Lottehof, and Galerie am Dom.

A Night of Glamour and Vision

The evening of June 26th saw a gala at the Buderus Arena. Guests enjoyed a red carpet, insightful speeches, a virtual address from the Minister-President of Hesse, Boris Rhein, and a performance by Jamie Cullum. A sneak peek of the documentary “Leica – A Century of Vision” was also a highlight.

Insightful Discussions and Hands-On Experiences

June 27th was all about diving deeper. Panels at Leica Welt, like “Seeing Clearly: Photographic Truth in Times of Change,” featured legendary photographers like Steve McCurry, Joel Meyerowitz, Jane Evelyn Atwood, and Sarah M. Lee, moderated by Dominic Nahr.

The Leica Akademie offered over 100 tours and workshops, giving attendees a real behind-the-scenes look at Leitz Park, the Ernst Leitz Museum, and the Friedwart House. And of course, the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction was a major event, featuring over 440 items. Big hitters included the Leica 0-Series No. 112, an M3 No. 700000, and a Leica I Mod. A Anastigmat. There was even a special charity lot, a Leica MP by King Nerd for “Licht ins Dunkel.”

A Family Affair and Community Engagement

June 28th was dedicated to employees and their families, with a fun day featuring bouncy castles, live music, and workshops. Discussions with Reiner Holzemer were also part of the mix. Throughout the year, the #Leica100 campaign encouraged everyone to share their own “Witness to a Century” moments.

Xiaomi’s Perfect Partnership: Celebrating 100 Years on Your Phone

Now, for us at xiaomiforall.com, the most exciting part is seeing how this incredible legacy is influencing the tech we use every day. On June 30th, 2025, as part of these centenary celebrations, Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Leica 100th Anniversary Edition. This isn’t just a phone with a Leica logo slapped on; it’s a thoughtful tribute.

The design features subtle touches, like the Xiaomi logo positioned centrally and the Leica 100th-anniversary emblem at the bottom, all under that “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century” theme. Under the hood, it packs all the premium specs we expect from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, including its renowned quad-camera system co-engineered with Leica. What sets this special edition apart are those unique visual details that echo Leica’s minimalist, iconic aesthetic. It’s a limited-production, exclusive piece, definitely aimed at collectors and photography enthusiasts who appreciate this fusion of classic heritage and modern mobile innovation. This collaboration really shows how Leica‘s expertise is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in smartphone photography.

A Vision for the Future, Rooted in History

Leica’s 100th anniversary isn’t just a look back; it’s a clear statement about their future. By partnering with companies like Xiaomi, they’re ensuring their influence continues to grow and evolve, especially in the mobile photography space. The Wetzlar event and the special Xiaomi 15 Ultra edition are perfect examples of how Leica’s enduring legacy inspires innovation. It’s a beautiful bridge connecting the past with the technologies of today and tomorrow, promising to keep pushing the envelope in photography, whether it’s through their traditional cameras or the smartphones we carry in our pockets. The spirit of “Witness to a Century” is alive and well!

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Main Events in Wetzlar: A Quick Recap

Date	Activity	Details
June 25, 2025	Pre-Opening Ceremony	Wetzlar Cathedral, 750 guests, musical performances, flying buffet.
June 26, 2025	Official Opening Ceremony	Speeches, special edition launches, exhibitions by Meyerowitz, Elias, Cullum.
June 26, 2025	Gala at Buderus Arena	Red carpet, speeches, Jamie Cullum concert, documentary preview.
June 27, 2025	Panels and Discussions	“Seeing Clearly” panel with McCurry, Meyerowitz, Atwood, Lee, at Leica Welt.
June 28, 2025	Family Day for Employees	Bouncy castles, music, exhibitions, workshops, discussions.
Throughout	Tours, Workshops & Auction	Over 100 Leica Akademie tours, Leitz Photographica Auction with 440+ items.

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