Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>>> 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. ;-) >>>> Your points are well taken. No product is 100% perfect. However one would expect the most expensive products to have the fewest quality problems. I certainly hope mine does! Robotics is not the answer. Most of the finest products in the world have a high degree of hand work. From Ferarris on down. What robotics HAS done is to make lesser goods more affordable. As the owner of a manufacturing business, I am also aware many firms have had bad experiences with robotics. Not ready for prime time yet! Regards, Denton Taylor _______________________________ Photogallery at www.dentontaylor.com