p.1 #1 · It took 71 years to make one million M cameras
"In June [2025] we [Leica] celebrate the [one] million[th] M produced since 1954"
M assembly line tour w/ Stephan Daniel starts @ about 14:18 in the video. Lens assembly line tour @ about 23:12. Peter Karbe interview begins @ about 31:40 :
p.1 #9 · It took 71 years to make one million M cameras
While the milestone of one million Leica M cameras sold is impressive in the context of luxury camera manufacturing, it pales in comparison to the production and sales volumes achieved by industry giants like Canon and Nikon. For example, Nikon has produced up to 10 million lenses per year at times, meaning they manufacture in a single day what Leica produces in an entire year. Canon’s annual camera sales are also in the millions, driven by a broad range of models and a mass-market approach.
However, the story changes when considering how many of these cameras are still in active use. Leica cameras, especially the M series, are renowned for their durability, mechanical reliability, and the loyalty of their user base. Many Leica M cameras remain in regular use decades after their original purchase, a testament to their build quality and the brand’s focus on longevity and repairability. In contrast, the sheer volume of Canon and Nikon cameras sold means that a significant percentage are entry-level or midrange models, which are more likely to be replaced, discarded, or retired after a few years.
Therefore, while Leica’s total sales numbers may seem modest, the percentage of Leica M cameras still in use is likely much higher than that of their mass-market competitors. This enduring presence in the hands of photographers underscores Leica’s unique position in the camera world: fewer units sold, but a far greater proportion cherished and actively used for generations
p.1 #10 · It took 71 years to make one million M cameras
DrThomasUttich wrote:
While the milestone of one million Leica M cameras sold is impressive in the context of luxury camera manufacturing, it pales in comparison to the production and sales volumes achieved by industry giants like Canon and Nikon. For example, Nikon has produced up to 10 million lenses per year at times, meaning they manufacture in a single day what Leica produces in an entire year. Canon’s annual camera sales are also in the millions, driven by a broad range of models and a mass-market approach.
However, the story changes when considering how many of these cameras are still in active use. Leica cameras, especially the M series, are renowned for their durability, mechanical reliability, and the loyalty of their user base. Many Leica M cameras remain in regular use decades after their original purchase, a testament to their build quality and the brand’s focus on longevity and repairability. In contrast, the sheer volume of Canon and Nikon cameras sold means that a significant percentage are entry-level or midrange models, which are more likely to be replaced, discarded, or retired after a few years.
Therefore, while Leica’s total sales numbers may seem modest, the percentage of Leica M cameras still in use is likely much higher than that of their mass-market competitors. This enduring presence in the hands of photographers underscores Leica’s unique position in the camera world: fewer units sold, but a far greater proportion cherished and actively used for generations...Show more →
Yes, now if they could just manage to make fresh batteries so those cherished cameras can actually be used..... Wouldn't hurt if they had a more efficient service department too.
p.1 #11 · It took 71 years to make one million M cameras
DrThomasUttich wrote:
While the milestone of one million Leica M cameras sold is impressive in the context of luxury camera manufacturing, it pales in comparison to the production and sales volumes achieved by industry giants like Canon and Nikon. For example, Nikon has produced up to 10 million lenses per year at times, meaning they manufacture in a single day what Leica produces in an entire year. Canon’s annual camera sales are also in the millions, driven by a broad range of models and a mass-market approach.
However, the story changes when considering how many of these cameras are still in active use. Leica cameras, especially the M series, are renowned for their durability, mechanical reliability, and the loyalty of their user base. Many Leica M cameras remain in regular use decades after their original purchase, a testament to their build quality and the brand’s focus on longevity and repairability. In contrast, the sheer volume of Canon and Nikon cameras sold means that a significant percentage are entry-level or midrange models, which are more likely to be replaced, discarded, or retired after a few years.
Therefore, while Leica’s total sales numbers may seem modest, the percentage of Leica M cameras still in use is likely much higher than that of their mass-market competitors. This enduring presence in the hands of photographers underscores Leica’s unique position in the camera world: fewer units sold, but a far greater proportion cherished and actively used for generations...Show more →
Backwards compatibility with the majority of M- and LTM lenses is another key factor IMO. Nikon is certainly better in this regard than Canon - the latter switched mounts several times in the past decades. In the past, Leica was a given for high German built quality - this reputation is now more valid within textbooks of photo history. Leica M is the only successful rangefinder-based line out in the market currently. Like in the past with the Leica R based SLR system, Leica tries to add new things to the table every so often with kind of limited success. The SL series remains behind sales expectations due to competition with other mirrorless camera brands; a successful one was the introduction of the Leica Q. The next new one might be the rumored Leica M-V with EVF instead of rangefinder. But one thing is for sure: The M series will remain their winning race horse for many years to come.
p.1 #13 · It took 71 years to make one million M cameras
retrofocus wrote:
Backwards compatibility with the majority of M- and LTM lenses is another key factor IMO. Nikon is certainly better in this regard than Canon - the latter switched mounts several times in the past decades.
Have to disagree. Both Nikon and Canon made decisions that rendered some lenses no longer feasible.
I agree going FD-EF was a failure on compatibility for Canon.
With the RF mount all FD glass can be adapted and all EF glass with an adapter has full metering and AF.
Nikon's move to mirrorless the D type lenses although they can be mounted lost AF. At the time I was shooting mainly D type of lenses thus loosing AF ended my shooting Nikon bodies.
Back to the thread at hand. Leica has done a decent job of backwards compatibility except for battery availability.
