Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/11

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica lens coatings
From: Dennis Painter <dennis@hale-pohaku.com>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 23:12:05 -0700
References: <3.0.6.32.20010510153327.00b09570@pop.infi-net.mindspring.com>
 
Marc James Small wrote:
<snip>

>
> No, it would not have "stayed pristine", Mark.  Leitz was barred in 1954
> from using the vacuum-coating technologies controlled by Zeiss (though
> Voigtländer and Schneider did have access to the process).  Hence, Leitz
> was forced to use the older 'drip-coating' method, which left a very moist
> coat.  Over time, this dries out and leaves a powdery residue which can be
> easily rubbed off.  If your lens had been given a proper T-coating, of
> course, the coating would have been MUCH harder.  (I have some Prewar and
> Wartime Zeiss lenses which still have "pristine" coatings despite never
> having been routinely covered with a filter of any sort.)
>
> Marc

Do you know when Leitz began selling lenses using vacuum coating?

Dennis