Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Larry, perhaps it might be more relevant to compare the elegantly designed, individually ground, hand assembled and collimated Leica lenses to mass produced Japanese lenses. Entirely different design and production philosophies (also reflected in pricing, of course). Not to denigrate at all the Japanese lenses, but I think that many of us would agree that the best of the Leica lenses are incomparable. Hand assembly within this perspective is certainly superior to production line assembly from designs compromised for mass production. Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Lawrence Zeitlin Sent: Thursday, 26 October 2006 08:51 To: lug@leica-users.org Subject: [Leica] Re: Hand built? On Oct 25, 2006, at 5:32 PM, lug-request@leica-users.org wrote: > While I agree the 5D > image quality is outstanding, you cannot compare this assembly line > camera > to a hand built camera. (i.e., the M8) Chris, Isn't this being a bit elitist? There is no virtue in being hand built, other than to give employment to a lot of German elves. Virtually every component of the M8 is produced by automated machinery and/or subcontracted out. The camera is hand assembled, I assume, but that is because the production volume certainly will not justify automated assembly equipment. In study after study production engineers have found that automated assembly techniques consistently hold finer tolerances than hand assembled equipment. Larry Z