Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Frank, the lenses he tested were new ones from the store before he bought one. 2 shots with each wide open and at f5.6. I think that whilst it is easier to achieve consistent manufacturing results today than 25 years ago (engineering is my business) cost is still the main deterrent. It is most unlikely that the mass market lenses sample consistency is any where near as good as the Leica or perhaps Canon "L" range will be, you really do get what you pay for. Items sent for review will almost certainly have been hand selected from stock as the best of the batch. cheers Frank > Frank Filippone" asked > > This was the way 25-50 years ago when process control was poor.... big > variations in a run of lenses would not have been considered unusual.... > Since the late 80's, and maybe even more so in the 90's, the manufacturers, > whether they be camera lenses, IC's, telephones, or cars have tightened > manufacturing processes such that the final product is more > consistent....Yes, there are still variations, but the bell curve is > tighter. > > I also believe that newppaper reporter equipment is treated more harshly > than amateur equipment. The beating it takes can also play with the quality > of images the lenses make.... I wonder if Frank's friend reported the bad > lenses to the repair department for repair? > > Frank Filippone > red735i@earthlink.net > > > A friend who was a top motor > racing photographer using Nikon 25 years ago used to hand select his lenses > by trying all in stock on film. The difference between the best and least > good was NOT small.