Kamerahersteller: Wie sich Leica immer wieder neu erfindet

Wetzlar, a city known for its precision craftsmanship, has been grinding glass into lenses since the 17th century – whether for eyeglasses, telescopes, or camera lenses. Leica Camera AG, originally founded in 1869 to manufacture microscopes, has recently turned to a technique that breaks from this long-standing tradition. In a new production line at its Wetzlar site, workers press glass blanks into lenses using tungsten carbide molds.

Under 700 degrees Celsius and high pressure, the glass slowly takes on an aspherical form calculated by engineers on computer screens. The first product to fully utilize this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a light-gathering lens. It went on sale in late January for around 9,000 euros. According to Jan-Helge Staasmeyer, head of tool manufacturing, the new lens is noticeably lighter and more compact than its predecessor, without sacrificing light-gathering power.

"We exploit what we physically master," he explains. Leica's pricing and prestige are indicative of the brand's identity – compact cameras housed in leather and metal, with an aesthetic that appeals to photography enthusiasts. However, nostalgia alone is not enough. To maintain this allure, the manufacturer must continuously renew its technology, especially in an era where smartphones have become many people's primary camera.

Andreas Kaufmann understands this better than most. As a shareholder and board member through his investment firm ACM, Kaufmann took over Leica in 2004, rescuing the company from bankruptcy in 2005. He emphasizes that developing the right products was essential to give the brand a foothold. At times, "technology leaps" are necessary to ensure this.