Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/04/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Until the last few years the Leica cameras and lenses were really tops and almost everyone was very loyal and protective of Leica. Now, since the "bean counters" were placed in charge of Leica, it appears Leica quality and quality control has depreciated to the point that persons who have no "quality control" training are find more and more factory defects that should have been caught at the factory. I now wonder what Leica USA does in regard to protecting USA customers. Does Leica USA at least select a certain number of samples from each shipment and give the statistical sample a good examination for such items as focusing mechanism, shutter specifications, pressure plate, winding mechanism, and light meter or are the cameras just passed directly to the dealer and then the customer? Someone posted a message advising that the great majority of Leica "prints" are "scanned" rather than enlarger printed. Could some of those who are "scanning" their prints enlighten us in regard to the quality provided by "scanning" versus prints from Tech Pan or Kodachrome negatives enlarged using Focomats, Durst L1200's or other really good enlargers with APO enlarging lenses. It may be that "scanning" does not do justice to high quality camera equipment so there is no need for Leica to provide equipment that so awesome that prints and slides from Leica equipment is discernible with the eye from the equipment of other manufacturers. As I recall, during the early 60's Leica had a vision that photographers were becoming very lazy and preferred to have the corner drug store process and print Kodacolor so the resolution of the lenses was dropped to enable the contrast level to be increased since contrast, not resolution, was the ticket for Kodacolor. Maybe this cheapening of the manufacturing process is the natural progression of this march toward mediocrity. The LUG net has also had some posts regarding the quality of Leica brochures and other publicity photos. One of the Leica M-6 brochures sent to me contained only one photo that was photographically "sharp" while the balance appeared to be nothing more than out-of-focus and blurred snapshots that could be snapped with any of the current $50 throwaways. From side-by-side comparisons, we know the Leica rangefinder cameras and lenses are capable of giving the 2 1/4 square cameras a run for their money if handled properly both in the field and the resulting negatives properly processed and printed. Why can't Leica Germany revise its marketing strategy to reflect that which may be accomplished with a fine rangefinder camera and lenses? If Leica Germany cannot show why photographers may secure greater benefits from Leica cameras and lenses than cameras and lenses costing many less, what is the incentive for very many people to purchase their products? Isn't it possible for Leica Germany to ask Leica camera users to submit some really sharp negatives or prints, if Leica German photographers cannot supply them, for the purpose of showing what Leica cameras and lenses are capable of producing. Hasselblad promotional literature just blows away the stuff that Leica Germany distributes. There is no reason that Leica Germany cannot compete with that type of quality and thus indicate to the prospective buyer there is a reason, indeed, to purchase Leica equipment. The answer may be there really is not a demand for really top quality 35 mm camera equipment in today's market and we are just beating a dead horse. Further, it may be shortsighted of us to disparage those persons who buy Leica cameras and lenses but only sit in a leather den chair and fondle their expensive purchases. I have a sneaking hunch that if it were not for those persons who just like to own what they think is the best, there might not be enough of a demand for the Leica product to keep the factory open in Solms. Please, let's not discourage potential Leica camera owners just because they do not make a living through photography. The bottom line is we need to encourage Leica Germany to regain its quality control and manufacturing edge so the Leica owner really does possess the finest camera equipment that can be produced. An extra $100.00 is not the make or breaking point since you can thumb through the photo magazines and note the various dealers are selling the same Leica items for prices that vary at least $100.00 and these same dealers have been doing this for years. If an extra $100.00 per camera body or lens is required to do the job right, it is my belief persons who will pay $2000.00 for a camera body and the same or more for a lens, will gladly pay the extra $100.00 to insure that he or she is truly receiving the finest that can be produced.