Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]<< We are not speaking of the quality of Japanese products: we are speaking of the engineering parameters to which the products are built >> Japenese enginnering is second to none. Look at their automobiles. Look at AF SLR's. Look at optics and process controls and machines for microchip manufacturing. Look at industrial design. They were the ones who led the world in development of systems for quality. Quality is not simply a result of manufacturing control. In today's world, engineering is part of overall quality. There is no bright line distinction between engineering and manufacturaing anymore. That distinction is fast disappearing. The engineering pararmenters are as high for the top end Japanese products, as they are for top end German or American products. In the past, the engineering or quality standards for Germany were higher than for Japan. This is no longer true. I recently had to send back three M6's due to cosmetic flaws. Although the replacements are fine, they still lack the precision and ultimate finish of my Contax G2's and SLR's. Things progess and change. What was true 20 years ago is not necessarily true today. Those who sit on their laurels will fade away. It was Lexus who served as the example to push Mercedes out of its complacency in the 80's. Now look - Mercedes has done an excellent job in catching up and they can now match Lexus in quality. I hope Leica pushes ahead instead of sitting on the bench. The M6HM is a good sign. Their new lenses are wonderful. Every commentator I have read notes that the chrome finish on the M6 is not as good as the M6. A couple of years ago Popular Photography did a feature on the M6. They noted that while the M6 quality is high, it is not as good as the M2, M3 or M4. The engraving is not as good. The finish of the internal gears is not as good. I have not heard anyone who disputes this. Leica makes excellent cameras, but they are not alone. Others have standards that are just as high.