Superb visit, service and sales at Leitz-Park, Wetzlar

[Winedemonium]

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I have just spent almost an entire day at the Leitz-Park in Wetlzar, and thought I would share some thoughts and observations....

 

I made an request for an appointment well in advance, and explained which products I use (M + various lenses; S + various lenses), and that I would love to have a short tour if possible.

 

My appointment was 8am today. It seems like a rather early start, doesn't it? But in actual fact the workshop staff begin work at 6am and finish between 1pm and 3pm. 

 

I was looked after by Mrs. Olga Brunda, a customer care staff member who is a great credit to Leica. She is knowledgeable, passionate about Leica, very courteous and thoughtful. As we began the tour and were chatting she was working out as we went where to spend time and where to skim. She said that she diverted some of our time away from historical matters (because I had read a lot on the subject - Mr. Puts excellent books and so on), and focused instead on technical ones - things we were seeing. In other words, my tour was tailored. She later said that an hour had been allocated, but we spent more than that, and it was absolutely fascinating.

 

First of all the Leitz-Park is a superb super modern design (as you'd expect), that sits up on a plateau above the old town of Wetzlar. Nearby are other optical-technical companies that sprang out of the Leitz business, either directly, or in association. 

 

Part of my tour took me past some windows into manufacturing and repair areas that anyone visiting can see. A clever interactive projected touch-and-play screen sits superimposed over the window into an area where glass elements were being lacquered. By touching the window on the projected menu you can watch a series of videos on lens manufacture. 

 

But Mrs. Brunda also took me past other windows where aspherical elements were being ground, various lens assembly bays, repair bays for M, and S cameras and lenses. 

 

Of course some windows were shuttered to protect prying eyes from you-know-what!

 

Meanwhile, prior to the tour, Mrs. Brunda offered if I would like an Leica cameras or lenses attended to. I gave her my MP-240, which was checked, sensor cleaned, and a 35mm Summicron ASPH which was checked and re-calibrated. I also gave her my S-E, 24, 45 and 100mm S lenses which I had with me and these were all checked, and the sensor cleaned. 

 

While waiting for all that work to be done, a specialist in the Leica S showed me how to change the focusing screen (I purchased the matt screen while I was there), and then another gentleman from the Leica Akademie spent a few minutes with me giving me a few tips on technique.

 

I then spent time in the Leica shop. This deserves special mention because not only were the staff very helpful, but you can try any and every product Leica make - every camera, every lens, accessories, binoculars. They have the lot. Most Leica boutiques have a few items you can try at any one time, but how often do you find they don't have what you want, or moreover, don't have two items you might want to compare?

 

Today, for example, I took the 4/90 Marco-Elmar-M and the 2/90 APO-Summicron-M ASPH ,together with the Leica Macro adaptor M, and took various photographs both indoors, and outdoors, at different distances and apertures, so I now have a pile of files I can compare. This will help me decide if and when I buy another 90mm. But equally, should I have wanted to, I could have gone through the entire S lens range, etc.

 

There is also the staff canteen, which you have access to (I had lunch in there for a very reasonable price) as well as a Leitz-Park Cafe for coffee and cake (I didn't go in).

 

Also on display is a great collection of cameras, lenses, binoculars, and all sorts of Leitz stuff on display going back to the beginning. Have you ever seen the back of the S1 for instance? In all the photographs I have seen of this only the front is shown. There were a lot of items there I had ever seen before and it was very interesting (for me!). 

 

There are, as you would expect, many photographs on display, including exhibitions from the Barnack competition, and various historic photographs taken by 20th and 21st century Leica users.

 

I spent probably half a day there. That's probably more than most would want or need, but I didn't feel any time was wasted. 

 

Even without an appointment I would recommend a visit - the exhibitions, displays, video/window peeping (one window) is there for visitors to see, and the flagship store there is great for trying items out. But I would recommend making an appointment if you can.

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[Beresford]

Thank you for that most interesting account of a wonderful experience. I hope to go to the Leitz-Park soon and am glad to have your advice.

[Winedemonium]

P.S. - so I should add... even if you don't have a camera with you, do take an SD card. You can try various cameras and lenses and then look at files later to help you decide what to buy.

 

Direct comparison of T+23 / M + 1.4/28 / Q / S + 35 anyone??

[rjans]

I have just spent almost an entire day at the Leitz-Park in Wetlzar, and thought I would share some thoughts and observations....

 

I made an request for an appointment well in advance, and explained which products I use (M + various lenses; S + various lenses), and that I would love to have a short tour if possible.

 

My appointment was 8am today. It seems like a rather early start, doesn't it? But in actual fact the workshop staff begin work at 6am and finish between 1pm and 3pm. 

 

I was looked after by Mrs. Olga Brunda, a customer care staff member who is a great credit to Leica. She is knowledgeable, passionate about Leica, very courteous and thoughtful. As we began the tour and were chatting she was working out as we went where to spend time and where to skim. She said that she diverted some of our time away from historical matters (because I had read a lot on the subject - Mr. Puts excellent books and so on), and focused instead on technical ones - things we were seeing. In other words, my tour was tailored. She later said that an hour had been allocated, but we spent more than that, and it was absolutely fascinating.

 

First of all the Leitz-Park is a superb super modern design (as you'd expect), that sits up on a plateau above the old town of Wetzlar. Nearby are other optical-technical companies that sprang out of the Leitz business, either directly, or in association. 

 

Part of my tour took me past some windows into manufacturing and repair areas that anyone visiting can see. A clever interactive projected touch-and-play screen sits superimposed over the window into an area where glass elements were being lacquered. By touching the window on the projected menu you can watch a series of videos on lens manufacture. 

 

But Mrs. Brunda also took me past other windows where aspherical elements were being ground, various lens assembly bays, repair bays for M, and S cameras and lenses. 

 

Of course some windows were shuttered to protect prying eyes from you-know-what!

 

Meanwhile, prior to the tour, Mrs. Brunda offered if I would like an Leica cameras or lenses attended to. I gave her my MP-240, which was checked, sensor cleaned, and a 35mm Summicron ASPH which was checked and re-calibrated. I also gave her my S-E, 24, 45 and 100mm S lenses which I had with me and these were all checked, and the sensor cleaned. 

 

While waiting for all that work to be done, a specialist in the Leica S showed me how to change the focusing screen (I purchased the matt screen while I was there), and then another gentleman from the Leica Akademie spent a few minutes with me giving me a few tips on technique.

 

I then spent time in the Leica shop. This deserves special mention because not only were the staff very helpful, but you can try any and every product Leica make - every camera, every lens, accessories, binoculars. They have the lot. Most Leica boutiques have a few items you can try at any one time, but how often do you find they don't have what you want, or moreover, don't have two items you might want to compare?

 

Today, for example, I took the 4/90 Marco-Elmar-M and the 2/90 APO-Summicron-M ASPH ,together with the Leica Macro adaptor M, and took various photographs both indoors, and outdoors, at different distances and apertures, so I now have a pile of files I can compare. This will help me decide if and when I buy another 90mm. But equally, should I have wanted to, I could have gone through the entire S lens range, etc.

 

There is also the staff canteen, which you have access to (I had lunch in there for a very reasonable price) as well as a Leitz-Park Cafe for coffee and cake (I didn't go in).

 

Also on display is a great collection of cameras, lenses, binoculars, and all sorts of Leitz stuff on display going back to the beginning. Have you ever seen the back of the S1 for instance? In all the photographs I have seen of this only the front is shown. There were a lot of items there I had ever seen before and it was very interesting (for me!). 

 

There are, as you would expect, many photographs on display, including exhibitions from the Barnack competition, and various historic photographs taken by 20th and 21st century Leica users.

 

I spent probably half a day there. That's probably more than most would want or need, but I didn't feel any time was wasted. 

 

Even without an appointment I would recommend a visit - the exhibitions, displays, video/window peeping (one window) is there for visitors to see, and the flagship store there is great for trying items out. But I would recommend making an appointment if you can.

Thanks for your report. In the past I know it was possible to visit Leica in Solms, the contact details were on their website. But now I did not find how to proceed. I would like to go during spring next year. Did you make an appointment trough the Customer Service? Thanks

 

Best

[Edward Louis Marit]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have been twice .

[Winedemonium]

Did you make an appointment trough the Customer Service?

 

Yes, by email, about a month in advance.

[Hugh 38]

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First  Class !   I   visited in  June  with a  group .  We  were   welcomed  ,good  tour  of the  factory.

Others  had  items   to  be serviced  , most  of  which  were   done on   the  day .  Out  of   curiosity   I asked  if   a  new  red  dot  could  be put on  my  Elmarit  R 60  . It  was  returned   10  minutes  later  with a  new  red   dot , leave it   for  an  hour    for the glue  to  properly  dry .

 

It  is  a  great  day out .  I   believe  you  can   walk in  and  look round  the  gallery  at any  time ,  as  well  as  go to  the  shop. 

[Avelino]

I've just returned from a visit to Wetzlar, My Leica M fell on the ground and stopped working. Since I was in Germany anyway, and after reading these testimonies I decided to take my camera to Leica Park and try my luck. I was wonderfully received by Ms Olga Brunda, who took care of everything, had my camera and lens fully inspected, in one hour, while I visited the factory, shop and lounge, I had a cost estimate (very, very reasonable) and she took care of the delivery to Cologne two days later. The camera and lens were fully inspected and readjusted, cleaned, realigned, everything, simply perfect.

I recommend that in going there you send before hand an email to customer care saying that you are going. 

Thank you Olga Brunda and Leica customer care service for the wonderful work done, I couldn't be happier with Leica.