Camera manufacturer: How Leica continually reinvents itself

Leica Camera AG is introducing a new production line in Wetzlar that breaks with the traditional method of grinding glass to create lenses. Instead, glass blanks are pressed into tungsten carbide molds and shaped at 700 degrees under high pressure to create aspherical lenses. The first product to utilize this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a high-performance lens priced at around 9000 euros, which is lighter and more compact than its predecessor.

Leica's focus on innovative technology is driven by the need to stay competitive in a market where smartphones have become a primary camera for many. The company, led by majority owner Andreas Kaufmann, aims to maintain its reputation for high-quality cameras and lenses.