Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bill Marshall wrote:
> This issue of magnesium alloy as the material of choice for the outer
> cladding of the Zeiss Ikon has been treated as if it's some kind of a scam
> by Zeiss & Cosina to substitute a cheap, corosive material for the real
> thing or as if it's some kind of fashion statement to sell cameras with a
> new glitzy "look" aimed at high consumer appeal.
Frank Dernie, IMHO, is entirely correct.
> The fact is that the top-of-the-line professional film SLRs made by Leica,
> > Nikon, & Canon all use magnesium alloys in their body cladding -
I do not know about Nikon and Canon but you are just plain wrong about
Leica, Bill. This is exactly how these myths are started, a bit of wrong
information, stated as though it were fact and repeated. Here is what I have
just copied exactly, without addition or deletion, from the Leica Camera
website about the construction of the R9:
Camera Body Material: The top cover is a zinc die-casting,
lacquered in black or in anthracite. The inner housing is made of aluminum,
firmly attached to the aluminum tripod plate. The baseplate is made of
fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate
that incorporates an aluminum tripod plate. Stopping-Down Lever: for
visual evaluation of the depth of field and for triggering the test flash.
Tripod Thread: A 1/4 (1/4"), in the tripod plate, secured against rotation
by means of two steel inserts, according to DIN standard 4503 ; centered
under the optical axis of the lens. Back Cover: Illuminated LCD field for
the display of various functions or operating status (see above). Window for
checking the film type, speed and number of exposures stated on the film
cartridge that has been inserted. Window for checking the film advance.
Operating Voltage: 6 V. Power Supply: Two 3 V lithium cells, type CR2 in the
battery compartment. With the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 : two lithium cells,
type 123 of the winder. With the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9 : Ni-MH
battery pack of the drive, battery control by means of a symbol in the
back cover LCD display.
Not a single mention of the word MAGNESIUM. Note that Leica use
fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate, a preferred material as Frank
suggested.
Incidentally, I checked the Leica website tech info on the R8 and its only
reference to material is "all-metal". However, as the R8 weighs 100 grams
more than the R9 (890 vs.790), one can safely assume that it does not use
the very light-weight Mg; the lighter-weight of the R9 is likely due to its
use of polycarbonate.
Leica's refusal to succumb to fad or marketing compromise in its
professional equipment and its persistance in seeking to maintain the very
highest quality possible is precisely what has always distinguished the
Company and resulted in the high prices they must charge.
Respectfully,
Seth