Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Let me give you my experience with my Leica country of origin experience, albeit with a Leica microscope. I have a Leitz scope, circa 1965, made in West Germany probably by the same cohort of workers who were making Leica Ms. Mechanically it still functions fantastically and flawlessly. Engineering and assembly is absolutely first rate and it has needed nothing but routine cleaning and lubrication in the 6 years that I have used it. I also have a new Leica DM-1L scope. While nominally a Leica, this scope is manufactured and assembled in China by Leica Microsystems, now a different company than Leica camera. The electrical system failed within two weeks of operation. After that was fixed, the microscope mechanically failed in the following 1 month. The 1.5 year-old replacement works fine but lacks the tactile precision of its 35-year old counterpart. Even Leica is embarrassed by having a China operation. The German optics are proudly engraved with "Made in Germany", but the China manufactured microscope has a cheap sticker 5mm long hidden in an obscure spot indicating its country of origin. I agree with Ted and the others who say that taking photos is our first concern. But it is not our only one. Country of origin does matter to a point. If M6 assembly moved to China, I would predict that the camera would have the same problems as my microscope. Jonathan Lee