LEICA AGAIN SHOWS STRONG GROWTH FOR THEIR 2016/2017 FISCAL YEAR

Unlike virtually the rest of the camera industry, Leica again showed considerable growth for their 2016/2017 fiscal year.  While the industry in general declined about 10% during the same time period, Leica was able to record a growth of over 6%.  The only segment of the general camera market which did show some promise, were mirrorless cameras.  Yet of the major camera manufacturers, both Canon and Nikon have nothing to offer other than consumer cameras, and those are rapidly declining because of the onslaught of smart phone cameras.  As a matter of fact, Nikon recently announced the layoff of over 1000 workers and the closure of a manufacturing plant in China.

Leica stand out with their lineup of cameras which have proven to be at the forefront in terms of design, quality and performance.

Here is the Leica press release:

Leica Camera AG records strong revenue growth for the 2016/2017 financial year and bucks the downward trend in the camera market

The Leica Camera Group achieved revenue of almost 400 million euros in the past financial year 2016/2017 (31 March 2017) and can therefore look back very positively on the previous twelve-month period. With strong revenue growth of more than six percent, Leica bucked the overall downward trend in the global camera market, which declined by around 10 percent in the same period.

In the first few months of the current financial year 2017/2018, cumulative growth stands at 15 percent, thus underscoring the positive global performance of Leica Camera AG. Despite a market environment that remains challenging, the CEO of Leica Camera AG, Matthias Harsch, once again expects a record-breaking result for the 2017/2018 financial year. As a result, the revenue of Leica Camera AG has increased more than fourfold since anchor investor and majority shareholder Dr Andreas Kaufmann came on board in 2004.

The main driver of growth is the systematic realignment of the company that has taken place in recent years. In particular, the setting up of an in-house Retail Distribution division has made a major contribution to revenue growth. Leica now has 90 monobrand stores around the world, which are vital in terms of promoting brand experience in the context of photography. ‘China is our number-one growth market,’ says Matthias Harsch, who is planning 20 to 30 new stores in the country alone. The Group is now strengthening its presence in the service sector with the Leica Akademie brand in order to boost the appeal of photography amongst younger target groups.

The extremely successful technology and brand partnership with Chinese company Huawei in the field of mobile phone photography makes Leica one of the world’s leading providers of smartphone lens applications, a burgeoning technology segment that serves as a global basis for new product ideas and applications in photography.

The entry of Leica into the eyewear segment (glasses) – a move that was completed in 2017 – offers further potential for strong revenue growth in the years ahead. Operating under the name of Leica Eyecare, the company will systematically tap into this global market in conjunction with its technology partner Novacel.

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MORE LATEST LEICA NEWS

LEICA RELEASES NEW FIRMWARE FOR FULL RANGE OF DIGITAL M CAMERAS

By Josh Lehrer, Leica Store Miami

Today, in conjunction with the announcement of the new Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH (read our coverage here), Leica has released new firmware for a number of digital M cameras to support the lens, as well as the recently-released Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2 lens (read our coverage here).

For complete instructions go here

LEICA INTRODUCES APO SUMMICRON-M 50MM F/2 ASPH “LHSA” SPECIAL EDITION

By David Farkas, Leica Store Miami

Today, Leica has announced a new special edition lens, the APO Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH “LHSA” to commemorate the International Leica Society’s 50th Anniversary. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the special edition will be available in black paint (300 pieces) and silver chrome (200 pieces).

The LHSA 50 APO uses modern optics with the look and feel of a vintage 1950’s Rigid Summicron. The lens is going to be heftier than the standard 50 APO, thanks to its machined brass construction, rather than the standard aluminum in modern Leica M lenses.

Old 1950’s rigid Summicron (left) and new LHSA 50 APO Summicron (right)

Featuring a classic knurled focus ring and fluted mount design, the lens looks strikingly similar to its 60-year old predecessor. Also included is a push-on metal lens cap and a clip-on circular lens shade, both machined from solid brass. The distance scale in feet scale is engraved in red numbers, rather than the standard orange. On the silver chrome lens, all other markings are in black. On the black paint version, markings are in contrasting white. Overall, the LHSA 50 APO is very attractive in either finish.

The APO Summicron-M 50mmf/2 ASPH “LHSA” will start shipping in January 2018 for a price of $9,595. You can pre order the lens at Leica Store Miami, by clicking the link below, calling 305-921-4433, or by email at info@leicastoremiami.com.

Order the Leica APOSummicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH “LHSA” Now

         

          

Press Release

To commemorate the International Leica Society’s 50th Anniversary, Leica Camera is pleased to announce a special anniversary edition lens, the Leica APO Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH “LHSA”. This special edition lens will be available in two classic finishes, Silver Chrome and Black Paint. Limited to a total of 500 units worldwide (300 black paint finish and 200 silver chrome finish), this lens will be available to all Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers.

Leica Camera AG has collaborated with the LHSA on several special editions since 1978. Founded in 1968, the LHSA is the largest independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the study, history and use of the Leica System. The organization publishes a quarterly journal, Viewfinder, and holds annual meetings. The most recent annual meeting was held in Chicago, and next year the group will be meeting in Wetzlar, Germany. For more information on the organization and membership, visit www.lhsa.org.

Combining the design cues of the original classic M lens with the top performance of the state-ofthe-art Leica APO Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH, this special edition lens offers the Leica enthusiast the best of both worlds. The Leica APO Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH “LHSA” offers the look and feel of the classic Leica Summicron lens with cutting edge performance. The APOSummicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH is the first lens to optimize the capabilities of modern, high resolution camera systems, making no compromise in image sharpness, achieving previously unattainable values in all technical performance characteristics.

The Leica APO Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH “LHSA” has the feet scale engraved in red, while all other engravings are inlaid either in white on the black paint finish model and black on the silver chrome finish model. The special edition serial numbers are on the aperture ring, while the LHSA logo is inscribed (without inlay) on the bayonet rings, just above the ‘Made in Germany’ lettering. The Leica APO Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH “LHSA” lens comes with a separate lens shade and a lens cap, both machined of solid brass.

         

         

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___________________________________________________________________________

                                  www.classicconnection.com                                     

 www.leicastoremiami.com  

      www.eddycam.com        

      

Inventive Camera Bags for All of Your Gear

   http://www.tamarkin.com/

Buy vintage Leica cameras from 

America's premier Leica specialist 

www.tamarkin.com

                          

           http://www.tamarkinauctions.com/               http://www.tamarkin.com/leicagallery/upcoming-show

    

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE LEICA ENTHUSIAST

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