Kamerahersteller: Wie sich Leica immer wieder neu erfindet

Wetzlar, a city known for its lens-making tradition since the 17th century, remains unchanged in many ways despite advancements. Leica Camera AG, originally founded as a microscope manufacturer in 1869, is now experimenting with a method that deviates from this heritage. In a new production line in Wetzlar, workers press glass blanks into lens shapes using tungsten carbide molds at 700 degrees Celsius and high pressure.

The first product to fully utilize this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a powerful lens launched at the end of January for around €9,000. According to Jan-Helge Staasmeyer, head of tool manufacturing, this lens is significantly lighter and more compact than its predecessor without compromising light power. This innovation exemplifies Leica's commitment to maintaining its premium image, known for compact cameras encased in leather and metal, and a photographic aesthetic valued by enthusiasts for high detail fidelity, precise color reproduction, and distinctive background blur.

However, nostalgia alone is insufficient. In a world where smartphones are often the go-to camera for many, Leica must continuously innovate technologically, as Andreas Kaufmann understands all too well. As the majority shareholder and chair of the board at his investment firm ACM, Kaufmann helped rescue Leica from bankruptcy in 2005. He emphasizes that new, impactful products are necessary to sustain the brand's identity.