Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Leitz was not granted permission to use the Zeiss vacuum-coating technique developed by Alexander Smakula and patented by Zeiss in 1936 and 1940; thus, Leitz used a drip process which produced a much moister and softer front coating -- many lenses of the period from the lesser manufacturers were coated on internal elements only for this very reason, though I cannot recall that Leitz ever did so. The Zeiss patent expired, I believe, in 1960, and Leitz was vacuum coating their lenses shortly thereafter. These coatings dry out with time and need replaced. John Van Stelten in Louisville Colorado does this for about $100 a lens. He's efficient and quick, and the results can be astonishingly good. This is a handy buyer's point: many dealers don't understand the history of technology, and simply ascribe the dried coatings to 'wipe marks' and discount the lens substantially. Shop around, and you can get some buys. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!