Kamerahersteller: Wie sich Leica immer wieder neu erfindet

Wetzlar, Germany has long been home to Leica Camera AG, a company that has been crafting lenses since the 17th century. The process of shaping glass into lenses remains largely unchanged, whether for eyeglasses, telescopes or camera objectives. However, Leica is now embracing a new production method that diverges from this tradition.

In Wetzlar, employees are now pressing glass rods into lens shapes using tungsten carbide molds at high temperatures and pressure. The glass gradually adopts the precise aspherical forms calculated by engineers. The first product showcasing this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a high-performance lens priced at around 9,000 Euros.

According to Jan-Helge Staasmeyer, head of tool manufacturing, this new lens is lighter, more compact, and maintains the same light-capturing capabilities as its predecessors. Staasmeyer emphasizes that they harness their physical expertise to create these innovations.

Leica's brand is synonymous with compact cameras featuring leather and metal casings, and a photographic aesthetic valued by enthusiasts. High detail fidelity, precise color reproduction, and the distinctive softness in the background are all part of this appeal. However, nostalgia alone is insufficient. To uphold this reputation, Leica must continually renew its technology.

This is particularly crucial in an era where smartphones often serve as the primary camera for many users. Andreas Kaufmann, a major shareholder and board member through his investment firm ACM, acknowledges this need. He credits the company's survival in 2005 to developing the right products, and believes that periodic "technological leaps" are necessary to maintain Leica's appeal.