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M3 enlightened frames check and adjust the image field of rangefinder, approximately 1953. Picture: Leica Photo Collection © Liesel Springmann |
This year is a historic anniversary for Lika: 100 years have passed because the first massive leaka camera was introduced. Today, your views on the company do not matter, no one denies its effect on photography as we know. This heritage can be challenging for a company interested in navigating modern technology, though. To learn more about how it balances tradition and innovation, we have Dr. Global Director of Technology and Innovation. Talked to Benjamin Dack; Peter Carpy, Senior Management Experts and Mark Shipard, Head of Design.
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Leica I 1925 Elmax Camera. Photo: Leaka |
First, little history. In 1925, Leika presented the leakage I-first mass-produced, easily available at the 35 mm camera-Germany at the leapzig spring fair. That camera is often credited as the birth of modern photography, which makes 35 mm format popular and puts cameras in the hands of the general public. Due to its compact design, it helped create new styles such as reporting, street photography and clear image in everyday life.
Lika’s desire to push the boundaries remains an important part of its legacy. “A major lesson from the history of Lika is the value of long -term thinking and the desire to take the risks,” Dr. Dack said. “The launch of Lika I was not just a technical step, but a strategic decision that shaped modern photography.”
“The launch of Lika I was not just a technical step, but a strategic decision that shaped modern photography.”
Since 1925, Lika has continued to develop and advance photographic technology. During that time, the tradition has remained stable. “In Lika, tradition and innovation run by hand,” Dr. Dack explained. “Our legacy of accurate and craftsmanship sets the foundation for technological progress.”
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Between 1925 and 1932 production of Latez Verke Laika I. Photo: Leica Photo Collection © Nicholas Beoft |
Of course, there is an advantage of almost for 100 years: Lika has a broad historical data to look back, supporting her technological progress. “Our collection of construction and optical design documents can be seen back in 100 years and is one of our largest treasures in Laika,” Karb said. “Today, we still feel bound to perform justice with traditional standards stored in the collection and to continuously enrich them with new requirements. The evolutionary development in Lika always makes the fact that which has already been created.”
Although it is an eye towards progress and calculated risks, the company makes it clear that it is not interested in fully progressing for progress. “Our design goals are oriented to customer gains,” Karb said. “What will our customer expect from the product (lens)? Which performance parameters we should achieve. The design goals are achieved by it.”
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Left: Max Berek; Rights: Oscar Barnac, Wetzler, 1935 Photos: Leaka |
Carpend also provided a historical example. “Oskar Barnac (Laika’s inventor) and Max Berek (the optical designer of the first lens for Lika) defined a sharp photo in the postcard format as their goal,” he explained. Keeping this in mind, he achieved the designed objectives for the first lens of Leika. Karb says that his approach is the same today. “We ask ourselves what tasks should be completed to develop a new lens, what performance we want to offer to the customer,” he said. “Based on these beliefs, we define the design goals.”
Shipard expanded on this idea, stating that Lika’s legacy is based on clarity, accuracy and restraint. While the technology has changed considerably with the first leika camera and lens, Lika says that they remain stable three principles. “Every new product rethinks these principles using today’s materials, technologies and needs,” he said.
“Innovation should meet the needs of the creators – not only technical trends,”
The design philosophy of Leica not only indicates its lens design process, but also has a broader perspective on the future of photography and camera-making. “For future camera manufacturers and photographers, it is important to focus on the clear understanding of quality, purpose and craft. Innovation should meet the needs of the creators – not only the technical trends,” Dr. Dack said.
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Leica Zm 12 Clock. Photo: Leaka |
In recent years, Leika has moved beyond cameras. The company’s name is associated with watches, glasses lenses, apps, smartphones and more. Although it may look like a departure from the legacy of the brand, Leika does not see it in this way. “All professional fields are based on main capabilities that stem from the history of Lika,” Dr. Dack said. He said that the company wants to provide a leaky experience on both professional cameras and smartphones, which highlights the recognition of Lika to move forward the importance of smartphone photography.
Progress in the time of digital age and artificial intelligence is also a focus for leaka. “We honor our heritage by embracing the future-from Agni digital watermarking to M11-P ingredients to search for an A-assisted imaging called credentials,” Dr. Dack explained. He said Lika believes that AI can never change the authenticity of a picture, but “AI can help photographers achieve an authentic image more quickly.” It will definitely be interesting to see how Laika it reaches and what it can mean for the moving material credentials.
“Progress does not come from adding more, but what matters, refining it.”
Finally, the leaka story is not about tradition or progress pursuing, but how to work with both. As Shipard says, “Lika’s legacy is our great property that is moving forward. We do not preserve history, we increase it.
