Leica Camera AG has a new CEO

By LR admin | Published: August 20, 2010

leica camera ag logo Leica Camera AG has a new CEO

Financial Times Deutschland (in German | in English) reports that Leica has changed their CEO again (seventh change in ten years). The new CEO is Adolf Alfred Schopf, 53 (update: here is the official press release with the correct name of the new CEO).

The article has also some other interesting information:

  • Patrick Thomas, the head of the French luxury goods group Hermès is on the Board of Directors of Leica Camera.
  • Hermès has a 49% stake in the Japanese subsidiary of Leica.
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New Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 lens with M mount

By LR admin | Published: August 20, 2010

Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 heliar lens New Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 lens with M mountThis new Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 lens has a true Heliar design with a cemented doublet in the middle instead of a single element (6 elements in 3 groups), and the lens hood reverses for storage. The size of the lens is between the Leica 75mm Summicron and 75mm Summilux. Here are the details:

  • Lens construction: 3 groups of 6 elements
  • Aperture range: 1.8-16
  • Aperture Blades: 10
  • Close focus: 0.9m
  • Weight: 427 gms
  • Length and diameter: 73.8mm x 57.9mm
  • Hood: Optional vented type
  • Filter size: 52mm
  • Available mid Sept 2010
  • Expected price of $795.00 AUD

Via Mainlinephoto and Cosina Japan

Posted in Leica Lenses | Tagged | Comments closed

Leica’s 1st quarter financial results (fiscal year 2010/2011)

By LR admin | Published: August 19, 2010

Leica’s financial results for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2010/2011 are out:

“Leica Camera Group has closed the first quarter with sales amounting to € 56,176,000 (previous year: € 29,096,000). The net result of the Group for the reporting period has improved by € 16,249,000 to a net income of € 9,426,000 (previous year: net loss of € 6,823,000), due, inter alia, to higher contribution margins.”

R&D expenses and head count is also up:

“Expenditure for research and development in the first quarter of the fiscal year came to € 3,526,000 (previous year: € 2,515,000); the number of employees in the Leica Camera Group rose from 1,068 in the prior year to 1,083.”

And the future looks even better:

“For fiscal 2010/2011 the Company’s Board of Management expects further sales increases and, in conjunction with these, an EBIT result in the double-digit Euro million range.”

Source

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Rumor: Leica M9 Titan by the end of the year

By LR admin | Published: August 18, 2010

The rumor is that a new Leica M9 Titan will be released by the end of the year, most probably as a limited edition. It is possible that this would be the M9 related announcement at Photokina. The Leica M9 Titan will be sold as a kit with a lens (not sure which one) for the price of €18,000 (vat tax incl). I am told that the body will be made of real Titanium (which could explain the price tag) and not just “Ti plated” like this M6 Titan I found on eBay:

leica m6 titanium Rumor: Leica M9 Titan by the end of the yearAnother small p&s camera from Leica is also expected for Photokina, probably the Leica D-Lux 5.

Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica M9 | Tagged , | Comments closed

New: ReallyRightStuff L-Plate for Leica S2

By LR admin | Published: August 17, 2010

ReallyRightStuff are now shipping their new L-Plate for Leica S2 (model BS2-L):
RRS BS2L plate leica s2 New: ReallyRightStuff L Plate for Leica S2
Dimensions:

  • Height 2.8″/77mm
  • Weight 4.2oz/115g
Posted in Leica Accessories, Leica S2 | Comments closed