June 24, 2012

• Leica Factory Tour in Germany

  This is part II of my Leica “das wesentliche” experience in Germany!

  Read part I, where I attended the launch of Leica’s new range of cameras in Berlin here.

  It was a an exciting opportunity to be invited to the Leica factory in Solms, not too far from Frankfurt, to see for myself how the company runs their manufacturing processes, learn about the technology and discover first hand the long heritage behind the brand. 

   

  

  But first, lets check out the town of Wetzlar, where we stayed for one night, and also famously known as the original home of Leica. The Ernst Leitz Company (later to become Leica) began here in the late 1800s and at its peak employed over 7,000 employees.

  A great deal of medieval architecture remains in picturesque Wetzlar, evoking the feeling of a fairy tale era. This town is loaded with history, including ancient Roman ruins, medieval trading influences, and has 13th and 14th century fortifications still in place. The supreme court of the Holy Roman Empire was located in the city from 1693 to 1806. Wetzlar is also famous for a great German literary figure — Goethe.

  We threaded our way through the steep, winding and almost claustrophobic alleys of the cobble-stoned town center — perched on a hillside. Half timbered houses line the streets, as well as interesting old stone bridges, parks and lakes.

  

  
  Ip Man hits up Germany

  

  

   

  

  

   

  

   

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

  
  Never thought I’d ever say this, but what a pretty duck!

  Back in the hotel after a nap, we had lunch with the entire crew of Asian media guests together with Leica executives. I was looking forward to my first authentic German meal in a traditional environment.

  

  

  

  

  
  Mr. Sunil Kaur, MD of Leica Asia Pacific, gives a welcome speech.

  
  Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica Camera AG.

  
  The time I’ve been waiting for…. to tuck in!

  
  Tripple of pork. Small grilled knuckles with sauerkraut. Sausages with mashed potatoes.
  Pork escalope and asparagus gratinated with sauce Hollandaise.

  
  Yoghurt Rhubarb tartlet with strawberry compote and puff pastry

  
  Leica staff have their names engraved on their cameras. Cool.

   

  I found the coach rides particularly enjoyable, as we passed by gorgeous fields of gold and charming cottages along the way. Life there felt so simple and peaceful, surrounded by blue skies, nature and perfect cool weather.

  

  

   

  

  
  Sunset

  
  Dinner with Beethoven… not.

   

  
  Represent! Korean x Singaporeans x Thai

  

  

   For a restaurant named Ludwig’s, it came as a surprise that the menu was…. Turkish!

  Or maybe not, since Turkish people make up the largest ethnic group in the country after Germans.

   

  

   

   

  

   

   

   

  Now finally, for the main highlight ladies & gentlemen…. the Leica Factory in Solms!

   

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  Marketing Director Cyril Thomas shows his creative chops even when introducing himself

  
  Amazing Leica family tree dispalyed in the lobby. I was blown away!!!

  

  

   

  At the turn of the 20th century, the venerable optical factory of Leitz in Wetzlar had been successfully developing world-class microscopes. Working there was an engineer and amateur photographer named Oskar Barnack. He enjoyed exploring the mountains nearby, but to document the scenery he had to lug a box camera and a heavy satchel of glass plates. He was thus spurred to design a pocket-sized device that used modified movie film — the result? The world’s first 35-millimeter still camera.

   

   
  History before my eyes: The first 35mm small format camera prototypes built in 1913 by Oskar Barnack.
  Delayed due to WW1, the first Leica (short combination of Leitz Camera) did not enter series production until 1924 and was introduced to the public in 1925.

   

  The manufacturing facility is not opened to the public, hence it was a real treat for us to get a behind-the-scenes peek! However, during our tour we were not allowed to take photos so I can’t show you anything here, sorry :X

  But this video will probably explain why, hand-made Leicas and those darn lenses cost that much.

   

  Some other facts I learnt:

  • Many of their employees have been with the company for decades. A century ago the people living in the area were known for their handicrafts; the tradition and pride of craftsmanship continues today in Leica today.
    
  • They work in clean room environments that must remain dust free.
    
  • The entire process of building the M8 and M9 cameras includes roughly 35 people and takes about eight hours per camera.
  • Only around 80 M9s, 10 X2s and 100 S1s can be built daily.
  • Leica Microsystems still produces some of the world’s finest microscopes.
    
  • Another major innovation of Leica was the autofocus, though the technology was sold to Minolta early on.
  • In 2013, they will move back to the original hometown of Wetzlar, in a newer and much larger facility called Lights Park.
    

   

  Recognize these following iconic photographs in history?
  

  
  

  

  

  They were all shot with a Leica.
  

   

  
  “How’s this for portability?”

   

  I had a fabulously insightful time learning about the past, present and future of not just Leica, but photography. Thank you Leica and thank you God!

  Till my next blog post on amazing Berlin….

  Nights x

   

  • 3:50 pm
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