Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hoooo! I'm so out-of-it that I wasn't aware that Nikon (and others???) are now manufacturing in China. I wonder how that gear will perform decades from now. What depth of experience and know-how in this field do the Chinese have - no disrespect intended for they have mega-experience in some areas. My 90/2,8 Elmarit is 35 years old, the 35/2,8 Summaron is 42 and the 50/2 DR Summicron is 44, not even discussing the IIIc/IIIf conversion (60+ years old!!!) and its lenses. And they all function flawlessly and at world-class levels. Of course, for me it doesn't really matter since there is some reasonable doubt that I'll be around 40 years from now! at least not as fully functional as my Leica gear :-( What it does illustrate is how manufacturers, Leica Camera and perhaps others (Carl Zeiss & Schneider-Kreuznach Deutschland?) excluded, regard their wares as throw- away stuff, expensive throw-away but throw-away nonetheless. Not my kind of world. Seth ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leonard Taupier" <len-001@verizon.net> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 7:18 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and everyone else > Mark, > > Actually the only 50mm lens that Nikon still makes in Japan is the > manual focus AIS 50mm f1.2. Even the new AFS 50mm is made in China. > So actually you could say it's something they are knocking out for > 500 bucks out of China which says Nikon on it. ;-) That's certainly > progress. > > Len > > > On Feb 4, 2009, at 4:35 PM, Mark Rabiner wrote: > >> I think Nikon just may have learned something about optics in the >> past 30 >> years. I love my old pre AF glass the build is great but I think >> the smart >> money is on the modern glass from Nikon better better than the old >> stuff. >> And that would apply to Leica and Minolta and any other glass making >> company. Corning. >> Build is great nostalgia is great but optical science marches on. >> They're charging 500 bucks for the darned thing. >> It going to be better than something they were knocking out for 88 >> bucks out >> of Thailand which said Nikon on it. >> >> >> Mark William Rabiner >> >> >> >>> From: Leonard Taupier <len-001@verizon.net> >>> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >>> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 15:26:29 -0500 >>> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >>> Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and >>> everyone >>> else >>> >>> I've already tried the new Nikon. My son bought it two weeks ago. The >>> focus is very slow but if you have a D40X or D60 it'll work fine. I >>> found my 1977 AI'd 50/1.4 was just as sharp. The 50/2.0 you can get >>> from KEH for $69 is just as good as well. I find with the D700 I >>> prefer using the old classic manual focus lenses. They certainly are >>> made better then their AF siblings. >>> >>> Len >>> >>> >>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 12:29 PM, Chris Williams wrote: >>> >>>> Hey Mark, >>>> >>>> The Nikon 50/1.4 G AF-S is already out, and $499. >>>> >>>> Chris >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Rabiner" Subject: [Leica] >>>> Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and everyone else >>>> >>>> >>>>> " In 2008, full-frame DSLR's from three makers became >>>>> affordable, and >>>>> interest in classic 50mm lenses was renewed." >>>>> >>>>> I've had my eye on the new redesign of the Nikon 50 1.4 about to >>>>> come out; >>>>> For like 333 some odd bucks but with silent built in auto focusing >>>>> AFS they >>>>> call it which are not on my other versions. Especially my AI >>>>> version. And >>>>> focusing manually at f1.4 and be there on a cheap body with non >>>>> groundglass >>>>> style groundglass is hit or miss. >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.17/1934 - Release Date: 02/04/09 08:24:00