Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Denton, Leica cameras and lenses are basically hand made. This means by humans. Humans have problems outside of work that effect their work. You know... never buy a car that was assembled on Monday or Friday... Anyway, if the process was purely robotic in nature and the human factor could be taken out, there might be a chance of a problem-free product. But it's not likely in either this or the next millennium. As far as ISO 9000 goes. I do not believe it has raised consumer expectations. First of all, perhaps .0001% of the consumers even know what it is. 99% of them don't even know what an ISO number on film is. And those who do know what ISO 9000 is, know better than to, in reality, expect much out of it other that a giant pain for the poor company that has had to subscribe to the process. Remember, it's still humans that administer ISO 9000. They are all looking at the "bottom line." It's a process, not a guarantee. In summary, I don't expect to ever hear that Leica equipment is 100% reliable. My equipment has been exemplary, but I've come across a few glitches in the continuum. As we speak, I am waiting the return of one of my new lenses from repair in NJ. The zoom mechanism on my 70-180 APO Zoom was gritty, rough, and stiff in places. Clearly a *human* QC problem. We've got to take those damn humans out of the process! They foul up everything. ;-) Jim At 07:30 AM 7/4/98 -0400, you wrote: > >But naive? I don't think so... Ever-increasing quality brought about be >improved manufacturing processes (TQM, ISO 9000) has raised consumer >expectations. Consumers can buy a $250 camera like a Rebel G or similar, >and have every expectation that it will be problem-free. > >So why not a Leica? After all, Leica's advertising uses quality as a reson >to spend this amount of money... Page 28 of the M6 brochure is devoted >entirely to quality, with two headings stating 'Uncompromising Quality >Control' and 'Quality is no Secret'. It even states 'That is a warranty for >exceptional durability and good-as-new appearance even after decades of >rigorous use'. > >That's pretty strong language, and personally, I would be extremely >disappointed in the marque if a newly-purchased M6 needed service. >Regards, > >Denton Taylor