Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I do not believe Leica began multi-coating until the middle 1970's. Zeiss and Pentax had both been experimenting with multi-coating in the 1960's: Zeiss began to multi-coat industrial and scientific optics around 1968 on an experimental basis. Pentax and Zeiss then pooled their research, and the Pentax SMC/Zeiss T* process resulted -- I believe Pentax beat Zeiss into the marketplace with this one by 6 months or so, though it is hard to say, as Zeiss' 1972 production wasn't marked 'T*'. We now believe that all regular production at Zeiss was multi-coated by the end of 1973 even though most was not so marked. The other thing Pentax got out of the deal was the Zeiss-designed 'K' bayonet mount. Pentax and Zenit are the only camera companies to have gotten famous on someone else's lens mounts -- the Zeiss-designed M42 and K mounts. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!