Light in Focus

By Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

Densitometer TRD 2

Founded in 1988 by Jürgen Heiland, Heiland electronic developed and marketed tools for the darkroom worldwide, for people who practice analog black-and-white photography with a high degree of technical precision.

But now a change is taking place: company owner Jürgen Heiland is handing over his business to new owners.

On January 1, 2026, Heiland Vision Germany GmbH was founded under the leadership of Martin Lang and Martin Müller with a new brand identity. Both managing directors have many years of expertise in the fields of fiber optics and optoelectronics. They acquired this expertise during their previous management positions at LiFaTec, an established company based in Hüttenberg, Germany.

Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics (HG)

The SilvergrainClassics team would like to congratulate you on the takeover and continuation of an established company by the newly founded Heiland Vision Germany. Tell our readers a little bit about yourselves.

Martin Müller (MM)

After completing my military service, I studied business administration in Giessen, at that time still for a diploma, and then went on to do a master’s degree in business law. After a stopover at a management consultancy in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, I joined LiFaTec in 2010. To this day, I am still responsible for sales there.

I am a family man, very close to nature, and a member of a boat model building club.

Martin Lang (ML)

After graduating from high school, I trained as a tool mechanic. After completing my civil service, I studied environmental engineering at THM in Giessen. I initially worked for a medium-sized automotive supplier. In 2018, I moved to LiFaTec, where I was mainly responsible for production, and still am.

I spend as much time as possible with my little family. Or I twiddle the knobs on my synthesizers. The best way for me to switch off is at the CrossFit box or at concerts.

HG

Had you had any previous experience with analog photography?

MM / ML

We are familiar with the processes involved in analog photography, and as we take over the business, we are becoming increasingly aware of how exciting and complex this subject is. Neither of us are photographers in that sense, if you ask us, but we are already quite hooked on the possibilities that analog photography can offer.

HG

What do you expect from the world of analog photography?

MM

I am certain that analog photography will continue to grow in importance. We are seeing more and more young people becoming enthusiastic about analog photography as a cultural asset and about the craftsmanship involved. I am very proud that Heiland Vision Germany can make a significant contribution to this with its darkroom equipment. My goal is to continue our business with sustainable success.

ML

I’m still relatively inexperienced in this area. We would like to expand Heiland Vision Germany’s portfolio even further. Of course, it depends on feedback from the community. Our business decisions are always about economically viable solutions. We steer clear of projects that exceed our capacities.

From left: Martin Müller, Jürgen Heiland, Martin Lang

HG

How did your contact with Heiland electronic come about?

MM

More or less by chance. Jürgen Heiland had carried out contract development work for our existing company LiFaTec from time to time. He once mentioned to Martin Lang that he would soon no longer be available for such projects. And that he was looking for a successor for his company. That’s how the whole thing got rolling.

ML

We are all based in the Wetzlar area. I was immediately enthusiastic about joining Jürgen’s company, even though I am aware that electrical engineering is not necessarily my area of expertise. However, thanks to my engineering studies, I certainly have a good understanding of the products. I have always been enthusiastic about Heiland electronic’s products and found them unique. I thought to myself that this simply had to be preserved. Besides, it’s great fun working with Jürgen. He will continue to accompany us over the next few years.

HG

What motivates you to take over the company and possibly steer it in a new direction?

MM

To continue running Heiland electronic, such a small and successful business, and give it a future. And to continue proudly manufacturing high-quality products in the region and marketing them internationally. As entrepreneurs, we don’t want to stand still. We clearly want to continue developing. It’s a company from Wetzlar, so we’re particularly proud to keep this fire burning. I spent my childhood here and have a strong connection to this city.

ML

I would say a healthy dose of madness, plus the passion to try something new. I can say that about myself. Martin and I thought it through carefully and had a lot of doubts, as the market is quite a niche.

We are also managing directors of LiFaTec. That requires a bit of coordination. The company also has a financial stake, while Martin and I are the main shareholders. We brought the shareholders of LiFaTec on board early on and promoted the takeover. However, we were able to quickly dispel any doubts. Ultimately, everyone is happy with the new situation. It was a good decision and I am incredibly motivated to get started. The positive response from the community to the news of the company takeover alone really moved me.

We don’t want to turn everything upside down right away. It can’t hurt to be a little more modern and try something new in a moderate way. We have just successfully relocated the business and got it up and running.

Splitgrade Controller and Splitgrade Sensor

HG

How big is your company Heiland Vision Germany?

ML

Currently, it consists of Martin Müller, Martin Lang, Jürgen Heiland, Bettina, and Joachim. Jürgen is now an employee of ours. Our other company is also quite manageable with five employees. We are pleased that we were able to take on Jürgen’s entire team and preserve jobs.

HG

What will happen to LiFaTec?

ML

LiFaTec will continue to operate under our management. We have a well-coordinated team here with long-standing employees who work independently and reliably.

MM

That’s exactly right. We have a great working atmosphere. Last year, two employees celebrated their 25th anniversary with the company.

Cold Light Source in a Focomat

HG

A few words about the market in which LiFaTec operates?

MM

LiFaTec is a company in the optics industry. We use our own proprietary equipment to produce optical fiber for medical technology, sensor technology, and general lighting.

HG

How would you define your guiding principle, Light in Focus?

MM

Light plays a role as a creative physical medium across all processes. This starts with photography and extends to enlarging in the darkroom. Light is therefore always the focus in the process chain.
In analog photography, and therefore also in the darkroom, light is the most influential medium. This applies to everything from exposing the film to projecting a negative onto the finished print. This is absolutely the focus of our products.

Film Processor TAS

HG

Please briefly describe the key products and features of your product portfolio. And why Heiland Vision products are a must-have for every darkroom.

MM

Our aim is to supply the widest possible range of products for the darkroom. Our flagship products are undoubtedly our LED cold light sources and the Splitgrade. We can supply or adapt LED cold light sources for almost any enlarger.
We also supply film dryers, film processors, densitometers, enlargers for large formats (especially the 8×10 inch format), LED laboratory lights, dust finders, PaperFlasher, and much more. Our products are high-end in this market. They are very user-friendly and deliver first-class, reproducible results. No other darkroom manufacturer offers such a wide range of products. Of course, we are working on expanding our portfolio.

ML

For many photographers and lab technicians, the Splitgrade is quite unique with its sophisticated measurement and evaluation process. Combined with an LED cold light source, it is an unbeatable duo for any darkroom. But lab lighting is also a must-have in any darkroom and an absolute bestseller. We equip entire labs with our equipment. Under Jürgen’s leadership, the new darkroom at Leica was equipped. Every Leica enthusiast can see this for themselves at this year’s Experience Days (May 8-10, 2026). Our products are also used in the SilvergrainClassics studio. We are also in talks with Marwan about expanding our collaboration. There will certainly be one or two workshops focusing on our products. I’m really looking forward to that.

HG

Where are your products manufactured?

ML

From now on, all our products will be designed and manufactured in our workshop in Hüttenberg, near the optics city of Wetzlar. We work closely with regional partners, which is particularly important to us. Short distances and a high degree of flexibility are very important for our success. Of course, not every screw comes from central Hesse. That would be impossible in our globalized world.

HG

How are your products distributed? Specialist retailers? Online shop?

MM

One option is to buy directly from us. This gives us a direct line to the customer, which we particularly appreciate. However, we also have a long-established network of specialist retailers.

ML

Yes, direct sales are really very important to us. But we advise our long-standing partners in the specialist trade with the same intensity. We have not implemented an online shop with the new website for various reasons. We would then be too far away from the user. Direct contact is particularly important to us. It is important to us to offer customers appropriate advice before they make a purchase. We don’t want to sell anything that the customer doesn’t want at all.

HG

Is there potential for even ‘better’ tools in the darkroom sector? Do you have any ideas or plans for new developments?

MM

I see potential there. Our users provide us with crucial information. To this end, we remain in close contact with buyers even after a sale has been made. And, as I said, we strive to be close to our customers and listen to their needs and wishes.

ML

We seek contact with passionate users. We rely on feedback from the community and our dealers. We do indeed already have a few concrete ideas. But we’re not revealing them just yet.

Dust Finder

HG

What are your next steps?

MM

We are proceeding systematically. At the moment, we are putting all our energy into integrating the business into our LiFaTec facilities. Getting the business up and running is our top priority. Then we’ll see what happens next.

HG

Thank you for the interesting insights into your plans for the new company Heiland Vision Germany. The SilvergrainClassics team wishes you every success.

ML

We appreciate your interest and the opportunity to present ourselves to you. Our recommendation: keep your eyes and ears open for what Heiland Vision has in store for the near future. Follow us on Instagram, send us a message if you have any questions, or give us a call.

Most importantly, keep taking analog photos and try something new every now and then.

More Information About Heiland Vision Germany

Web: Heiland Vision GmbH
Instagram: @heiland.vision
Email: info@heiland-vision.com
Phone: +49 6441/77341

Articles About Heiland Vision Germany

The future is secure
The Heiland Splitgrade System and more from Jürgen Heiland
Heiland Splitgrade Controller from Christopher Osborne

See also the darkroom workshops from Silvergrain Academy
for example RA-4 Color Masterclass Spring

A Fresh Start and New Benefits for SilvergrainClassics Readers