LEICA BINOCULARS CELEBRATES 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY

[spectr17]

<div align='center'>
</div> NEWS RELEASE Editorial Contact:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Karen Lutto

(830) 755-4308 (press office)

e-mail: karen@luttopr.com

Kimi Herndon (804) 346-4309

Kimi@luttopr.com

<div align='center'> </div>
<div align='center'>LEICA BINOCULARS CELEBRATES 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY</div>
<div align='center'> </div>


<div align='left'>Allendale, NJ (January 1, 2007) — On May 14, 1907 the first binocular designed by Ernst Leitz went into serial production. After three years of research and many different design changes, the 6x18 binocular was ready for production in the Leitz/Leica facility in Wetzlar Germany. Therefore, this year Leica is proud to celebrate its 100th anniversary of binocular production.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Two initial patents, No. 191758 and No. 192762 were dated June 14, 1906 and September 25, 1906 respectively and were the basis for the development of the first Leica binocular. However, after continued research and the desire to improve the design, the Leica engineers decided to design the binocular housing out of a very light weight and durable material called Magnalium (a mixture of Magnesium and Aluminum). The drive for perfection also continued as engineers patented a better protection system for the inside of the binoculars against dust and moisture. The final production of the first binocular was further delayed by a final patent that allowed for a new and innovative mounting of the prisms. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Founded in 1849, Leica’s capabilities in producing Legendary Lenses provided the foundation for the long history of precise, high performance sport optics products. From the initial binocular introduction in 1907, Leica continues to develop innovate cutting edge products that sets today’s standards for optical performance and field reliability. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Be sure to stop by the Leica booth # 4336 at this years SHOT Show in Orlando, to see a slice of optical history. Several vintage 1907 Leitz Binocle 6x18s will be on display. Other models, including a 1920 12x60 nicknamed the “liver sausage”, a 1917 brass 10x50 anti-aircraft WWI binocular and a 10x40 monocular that was onboard the Apollo space missions, will also be on display at the booth. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Leica will continue its historical platform of providing the most state-of-the-art, high performance sports optics products available. New innovative products are continuously in the pipeline and will be introduced over the coming years. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Headquartered in Germany, Leica has been an acknowledged leader in the optics industry for over 150 years. Throughout that time, the company has built a solid reputation for producing high quality, durable products due to their commitment to optical perfection and mechanical precision. Visit the new Leica Web site at http://www.leica-camera.us/home/.</div>

<div align='center'>LEITZ/LEICA BINOCULAR HISTORY</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>June 14, 1906 Binocular design Patent No. 191758 filed.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>September 25, 1906 Binocular design Patent No. 192762 filed.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>May 14, 1907 First binocular made by Ernst Leitz, a 6x18 went into serial production.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>By 1911 Full line of binoculars available from 4x to 8x, as well as military versions. The military glasses offered a terrain scale in the eyepiece for estimating distances. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1912 to 1914 Some new binoculars were introduced and the existing line was redesigned. Two high powered glasses of 10x and 12x magnifications offered curly shaped barrels.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>Military binoculars were available in black, khaki or brown with or without the terrain scale. They came equipped with a leather case, belt loop, compass on the lip of the case, carrying strap, rain protection cap and a leather loop for attaching the binocular to the uniform.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1919 Civilian production resumed after the war. Leitz offered most of the pre-war models as well as three new Porro II optical designs that replaced the 10x and 12x curly barrel design.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1920s All pre-war models were replaced and redesigned sometime between 1924 and 1927. Exact dates are not known.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1932 All classes of the Leitz binoculars not of the Porro I type were redesigned for higher magnification and greater performance. This established the line with little change for 30 years.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1950s Leitz manufactured a series of riflescopes including a 4x28, 4x36 and 6x42.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1960s Leitz introduced the state-of-the art Trinovid binocular line. A compact, roof prism binocular that remained in the line until 1990 when it in turn was replaced by another totally new, more innovative design.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1990 The entire line of Trinovid binoculars, with the exception of the compact models, was replaced with a new construction based on a pentaprism. The new binoculars offered closer focusing, wider field of view, nitrogen purging and waterproofing up to 5 meters. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'> Leica introduced a bright orange, buoyant strap to accompany the binoculars. This kept them afloat should they fall overboard. Three models were introduced 7x42m 8x42 and 10x42.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1992 Revolutionizing binoculars, Leica introduced the Geovid which combined optics and electronics to provide an eye-safe infrared laser rangefinder and an electronic compass in a compact handheld instrument. It was introduced in a 7x42 model.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1994 Leica introduces its first spotting scopes. The two models included the Televid 77 and Apo-Televid 77. Each offered the option of straight or angled viewing eyepieces.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1996 New versions of the 8x20BC and 10x25BC and the rubber armored 8x20 BCA and 10x20 BCA were launched with improved optical performance and design. A phase correction coating improved the resolution and contrast by 30%.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>1998 Leica briefly re-entered the riflescope arena in North America with three models: the Ultravid 1.75-6x32, the Universal 3.5-10x42 and the Ultravid 4.5-14x42F. While the riflescopes were made with Leica-supplied optical elements, final assembly was completed by Leupold and Stevens of Oregon. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>2000 This year marked the introduction of the LRF 800 Rangemaster, a compact and lightweight rangefinder.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>2002 Innovation in the spotting scope line continued with the introduction of two lighter and more compact models, the Televid 62 and Apo-Televid 62. Both accepted the same eyepieces and accessories as the “77” models. </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'> The LRF 1200 Rangemaster was added to the line of rangefinders, as was the Leica Pinmaster, a rangefinder specifically designed for the golfer.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>2003 Leica launched a new revolutionary high end line of binoculars called Ultravid. This line offered a 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 10x50, 12x50, all in BR (which means black or green in rubber armoring.)</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>2004 Leica introduced the next generation of Geovid range finding binoculars with two models, the Geovid 10x42 BRF and the Geovid 8x42 BRF.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'>2006 Leica added two new models to the Geovid line, a Geovid 8X56 BRF-Y and Geovid 15X56 BRF-Y.</div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='left'> </div>
<div align='center'>
</div>