Kamerahersteller: Wie sich Leica immer wieder neu erfindet

Wetzlar, Germany has long been a hub for crafting lenses, a practice unchanged since the 17th century for telescopes, binoculars, and camera objectives. Leica Camera AG, founded in 1869 as a microscope manufacturer, has recently adopted a method that breaks from this tradition. At its Wetzlar production line, workers press glass blanks into lens shapes using tungsten carbide molds.

At 700 degrees Celsius and high pressure, the glass gradually takes on the aspherical forms calculated by engineers. The first product utilizing this technology is the Noctilux M-35, a high-light penetration lens launched in late January for around 9,000 euros. According to Jan-Helge Staasmeyer, head of tool manufacturing, this lens is lighter and more compact than its predecessor without sacrificing light quality.

Staasmeyer explains, "We exploit what we can physically master." The brand's pricing and prestige reflect this approach. Leica cameras are known for their compact designs with leather and metal casings, appealing to photography enthusiasts with their high detail accuracy, precise color reproduction, and characteristic background blur.

However, nostalgia alone is insufficient to maintain this reputation. In an era where smartphones have become many people's primary camera, technological advancements are essential. Andreas Kaufmann, a majority shareholder and supervisory board member, acknowledges this necessity. Kaufmann, through his investment firm ACM, entered Leica in 2004 to save the company from bankruptcy in 2005.

He emphasizes the importance of developing the right products to give the brand its enduring appeal, "From time to time, technological leaps are required."