Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greg, we want to see the stellar images! Regarding the construction, won't the glass be the lion's share of the material costs? I must read up on the type of asph element they have used. There are some newer developments there, I think. You would have to think that the production is more automated to achieve lower assembly costs too? The Cosina made Zeiss M lenses I handled were very well finished and assembled. Maybe that says something about the very astute Kobayashi San and his Voigtlander production facilities. I haven't had an opportunity to make pictures with any of the Zeiss branded lenses, though. I know greatly respected LUG folk like Tom A rate them highly. The couple produced in Germany, I think are actually dearer than the Leica lenses. 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 GREG LORENZO Sent: Sunday, 11 March 2007 10:27 To: Leica Users Group LUG Subject: [Leica] Leica Quality Falls Off? I picked up the latest 28/2.8 lens last Saturday. This lens reminds me very much of my 35/2.0 Summicron lens from 1983. More importantly the new 28 is compact and produces stellar images. However, build quality seems to have fallen off; lens barrel, focus and aperture rings are not up to past Leica standards. The lens cap is plastic. It is not the plastic cap you get with the current 50/1.4 but a black plastic copy of the old polished metal caps that Leica provided for years for 39mm lenses. My theory on this is the appearance a year and a half ago of the Zeiss M Mount lenses for prices 60% of then current Leica lens prices has resulted in a decision to provide the usual excellent optics whilst saving a few bucks on construction. This allows Leica to offer their new 28/2.8 lens at a price more competive to Zeiss. Greg J. Lorenzo Calgary, Alberta _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information