Kamerahersteller: Wie sich Leica immer wieder neu erfindet

In the German town of Wetzlar, Leica Camera AG has a unique process for crafting lenses from glass blanks. This technique, which has remained unchanged since the first telescopes in the 17th century, is employed in various applications from eyeglasses to camera lenses. However, Leica is now innovating by using a new method to shape glass into lenses.

At their Wetzlar production line, workers press glass into molds made of tungsten carbide under high temperature (700 degrees) and pressure, allowing the glass to gradually adopt the aspherical shape designed by engineers in computer simulations. The initial product utilizing this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a high-lighting lens, which was launched in January and sells for approximately 9000 euros.

According to Jan-Helge Staasmeyer, head of tool manufacturing, this new design is lighter and more compact than its predecessor without sacrificing light intensity, a testament to their physical capabilities. The price and prestige are characteristic of Leica, known for compact cameras with leather and metal housings and a photographic aesthetic that enthusiasts seek: high detail fidelity, precise color reproduction, and characteristic background blurring.

However, nostalgia alone is insufficient. In an era where smartphones have become the primary camera for many, Leica must continually renew its technology to maintain its appeal. Andreas Kaufmann, a significant shareholder and board member who invested in Leica in 2004 to save it from bankruptcy, emphasizes the need for "right products" to establish the brand's relevance. Periodic "technological leaps" are essential for this.