Leica - the early M6

Leica Camera, AG, a German optics company, produces Leica cameras, and licenses the Leica brand. The predecessor of the company, formerly Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now three companies:

Leica Camera AG - cameras

Leica Geosystems AG & - geosurvey equipment

Leica Microsystems AG - microscopes

In 1986, the Leitz Company changed its name to Leica (LEItz CAmera), due to the stregnth of the Leica brand.

Leica & Panasonic - Leica-branded lenses are used on many Panasonic digital cameras (Lumix) & video recorders. These lenses are manufactured by Panasonic to Leitz quality standards.