Re: [Leica] American cameras

[Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>]

Dearest Nigel and group, 
I have long lamented the lack of a vintage or current "consumer" 
photo-optical company in this country, as I'm only really interested 
in 35mm.....I get enough 2-1/4 and 4x5 "exposure" at work...pun.

I use American ham radio equipment nearly exclusively, as well 
as American (and mostly homebrew) tube audio equipment........

Several years ago, in a long-forgotten article, I read that 
"Leica" tolerances were routinely maintained in ANY U.S. machine 
shop, in fact their tolerances were about halfway between what 
we call "normal" and "fine" machining in our (excellent) machining 
industry.....likewise, many fine optics (again, to "Leica" tolerances)
have been produced in this country.  (compare a mid-fifties Commercial 
Ektar to the average Summitar, for example).....

We have a huge military contracting industry in the U.S., and have 
been relied upon for many years to defend the "lesser" countries 
in times of crisis.....but I DON"T want to go into international 
politics.....

For many years, we have built the finest medical instruments in the 
world, with sophistication that brings wealthier folks from around 
the globe looking to our medical community for their treatment...
unfortunately, many of our lesser-monied residents go without this 
treatment.....but that's political again.....

The answer is simply economic.  Mass consumption of 35mm equipment 
is a post-WWII phenomenon.  After the war, German equipment was 
MUCH cheaper than we could produce (Ektra) with our incredibly 
high standard of living.  Japanese equipment was 60% of the German 
price.   We could have EASILY produced the Nikons here, for sale 
at (circa 1954) $1500!!  Or the M-3 at $2000 (1954). We already 
had many of the finer minds from northern Europe living and working 
in the photo-optical industry here!! (I worked for one of these 
immigrants.)  Our workers would not work for the wages that would 
allow this equipment to be produced at a price economical for 
mass consumption.  The military, on the other hand, as well as 
the medical community, could and did afford our efforts.

I've watched Nikon quality slip to woeful lows (and prices rise at 
a similar rate) as Japan's standard of living increased....then 
they started "farming out" the assembly of their products aimed 
at the mass market.  Leica has tried production in lower priced 
(labor) markets, too, but their prices have risen at a rate 
fast enough to keep the quality (somewhat) higher.....In l972, 
a Leica M-4 was about 50% higher than a Nikon, and a good value.
Now........???  

If you doubt the ability of Americans to compete, quality wise, 
in ANY market, look at the demand for Collins and Ten-Tec radio 
gear or McIntosh, Marantz, Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, etc 
audio equipment in Japan and Europe.....They pay 2-3 times what 
we do for OUR gear!! -- and they can't get enough!!

It's just that in the "golden years" of fine 35mm (mid fifties 
through the 70s), we couldn't build the gear at a price point 
that would be practical AND maintain our standard of living 
for our workers.  I fear that the day may come that we WILL be 
seen as a cheap labor company, as Honda and Toyota have already 
built plants in the US.....at the rate we're going, WE MIGHT 
be building Nikons and Leicas soon...........bear in mind that 
the folks who BUILT this crap often will NEVER be able to 
afford to buy it, or the free time to use it that many on this 
list seem to enjoy.  Although I don't make a lot of money (I 
shop VERY wisely, usually for equipment that needs work)  I 
at least have a job that allows me tons of time to play with 
the stuff.....I'd NEVER want to be an hourly (assembly) worker 
in a camera factory!!! -- I've already heard the horror story 
of someone who worked in repair for Leitz, NY -- I'd be 
TERRIFIED to send my gear in!! (Sherry, as I don't trust myself 
as I once did, YOU get my next M-curtain job -- NOT Leica!!)

I realize this is a ramble -- but I've put MUCH thought into this 
very question for years now, and I'd like to read other's opinion
of my position on these explanations.

Sincerely, 
Walt


On
Fri,
11 Dec 1998, Nigel B Watson wrote:

> Kodak's Ektra and Retina are the only ones which come immediately to
> mind, they are from the 1940's, and I do not know how much of those
> cameras were truly American, especially the lenses.
> 
> 
> After all, it isn't surprising.  Any lot who would waste perfectly good
> tea to make a political statement can't be expected to muster the kind of
> respect for life's fineries that give rise to cameras such as Leicas ; )
> 
> Regards,
> Nigel
> 
> On Fri, 11 Dec 1998 21:59:22 -0000 "Dr James Harper"
> <DRJH@btinternet.com> writes:
> Why is it that, with so much European influence and 
> >immigration, there is
> >no 	sought after American 35mm camera? 
> 
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