Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Why do you suppose Nikon stopped making it? Two reasons: the aspherical element was hand-ground, necessitating a very high manufacturing cost for a prime Nikkor - the lens thus sold slowly and required a large mark-up to recoup design and tooling costs; second one of the high-index glass elements used lead and the laws changed in Japan, making continuing with this impossible. Rather than opt to redesign with a different glass, they discontinued the lens. About 7000 were made. I occasionally think about the extremely skilled worker who ground the aspherical element when I use mine. I'd sure like to know his or her story. It's tremendous in use, but was designed long enough ago (it was introduced in 1993) that technology has moved on. If Nikon decided to redesign it they would have moulded elements, better coatings, newer glass types and a variety of new construction methods at their disposal. Leica are developing new lenses at quite a clip to keep their lenses up with technology - and of course their cameras. Marty Gallery (New! Supercharged by Brian Reid!): http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/freakscene -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com