Walter Mandler

Walter Mandler (10 May 1922 – 21 April 2005) was a lens designer of Ernst Leitz Canada (Leica Camera) in Midland, Ontario.

In 1947 he joined Ernst Leitz at Wetzlar as a lens designer, working with Max Berek [de].

Midland optical department was specialized in the research of retrofocus designs and apochromatic corrections.

Mandler was a master in optimizing Double-Gauss designs by means of the computer, and a particular method developed by him and explained in his doctoral dissertation.

Interviewed by Tom Abrahamsson in the early 80s about his favourite designs Mandler answered "Right now it is the 75 mm/1.4 Summilux because it's balance between performance and size".

[1] However, the current head of the optical department at Leica, Peter Karbe, stated that this is not his favorite lens, when interviewed during the photokina 2008 show.

"[4] Erwin Puts concludes: "He was also a daring man: he created the Summilux 1.4/35 mm when everybody assumed that such a lens was not possible.

His ELCAN designs were by nature less cost oriented and the knowledge gained here could be transferred to the photographic department.

[...] Mandler's study about the Double-Gauss designs is still the definitive analysis of the limits and potential of this class of lenses.

He did not develop really innovative designs, but his strong point was the exploration of existing limits and to find ways to implement the almost impossible.

"[4] Reginald P. Jonas and Michael D. Thorpe, in the article quoted, also present a valuation of Mandler's significance.

Mandler was Head of Optical and Mechanical design at Leitz Canada for 20 years "during which time he was involved in the design of over 400 lenses, including many photographic objectives, as well as lenses for movie taking, movie projection, laser scanning, and other speciality optics.