[Leica] Follow-up

["Greg Bicket" <gbicket@email.msn.com>]

Just as a follow-up to my first post to LUD, I share the following.

1.  I got just one response [informative and useful] to my question
regarding optical quality of the new f4 35-70mm Vario-Elmar-R.  It sounds
like a very good one, especially considering the inherent optical trade-offs
in a zoom.

2.  No one had any ideas regarding the R8 multiple-firing experiences.
However, in an effort to share factual information, I have since received a
response to my email directly to Leica--the problem was triggered by static,
Leica has developed a fix for it, and offered to install it at my request.
I have had no recurrences.  Their response sounds to me as if they are on
top of the problem.

3.  It seems fair to report on the lens [along with others] which seemed to
trigger so much discussion. My f1.4 80mm Summilux-R is back from a month of
to/at/from Leica, where mechanical function has been nicely restored.  The
not-yet-completed roll of Ilford will give me a handle on focusing
accuracy--although as I mentioned, my demands for precision and the
correction of slight myopia may be combining to complicate this.

In response to the many questions and comments regarding this lens, I am a
serious amateur--and I do believe that there should be makers [albeit
expensive] whose products very seldom fail.  Leica must work hard to remain
one of these.  Based on what's been said, perhaps Leica should work even
harder.  Leica-level quality is a damned elusive thing.

Yes, U$2,000 is too much to pay for a lens with problems, and a month is too
long to wait for turning around the fix.  But it will certainly seem minor
if 10 years from now I am looking back on these two as the only problems I
have had.  My delight with the Leica products I am learning to use and the
exceptionall images they produce is not deterred by these incidents.

4.  No one offered any ideas regarding the genesis of the naming of the
Leica lenses, and there must be someone else whose curiousity is triggered
by Angulon, Elmarit, Summilux/cron, etc.; they don't correspond precisely
with focal lengths.  Anybody out there haveknowledge about the origins of
Leica lens naming?  Was Elmar Ernst's uncle?

I come to LUG in an effort to learn from people whose experience can
accelerate my own knowledge of this equipment.  I find it interesting that
there is so much wrestling going on with the differences between different
makers.  There are differences between man made products that bench
equipment will never differentiate, just as there is science and there is
art.

The elitism, and provincialism, and nationalism, and xenophobia I've
encountered amongst some of the LUG seems not only incongruent with the
search for photographic excellence that Leica use is all about, but the
obvious intelligence of the LUG posters.  I for one, intend to learn and
share new learning with members of LUG, and have fun in the process.

Enjoy the light.

Greg Bicket
Denver, CO USA