Re: [Leica] Re: "demos"

[DonjR43198@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/29/99 9:06:01 PM Central Daylight Time, 
horst.schmidt@actek.com.au writes:

<< 
 I am also curious, why you have the need to query the existence on the LUG, 
of the
 people who voice an opinion opinion, which at the time, is not 150% 
favorable to
 Leica. >>

Good Morning, Horst:

Thanks for the note.

These defensive posts prove the genius of our ancestors who saw the need to 
develop a constitution prohibiting some from stifling the thoughts and speech 
of others with whom they did not agree.  The need in some to control others 
is so strong they will use the power of government to chill speech which 
effectively controls thought in the long run.  We experience that human 
tendency to control thought and speech every day on the LUG board.  Just 
imagine how pervasive and dangerous it would be if the subject matter were 
something that really mattered such as freedom rather than a camera system 
that appears to serve as a status symbol to many as well as a wonderful tool 
of expression itself.

The problems with present day Leica have been expressed by numerous 
individuals on the board which sets off a conflagration as if someone had 
stuck their finger in an ant hill.  It is almost as if someone had expressed 
an unfavorable opinion about a corporation in which these defenders owned 
stock and the shareholder did not wish to see the image of his or her 
investment tarnished.

Contrary to what Jim has suggested, I do own and have owned Leica M cameras 
and lenses for over 40 years and the Leica reflex cameras since the Leicaflex 
was introduced.  I have counted the M-3's and the various lenses as friends 
over the years, especially those made by the Leitz family.  Now, with the 
problems and new policies of the "corporation" questions beg to be raised and 
when they come to mind and I have the inclination, I will express my thoughts 
regardless of the efforts to silence them.  So far the questions have not 
received any answer which suggests there are problems but heads are sticking 
in the sand with you know what showing.  The response has been nothing but 
personal attacks.  The Leica historians who are on the board should be able 
to cite factory statistics to show how present day Leica is doing in regard 
to precision and quality control versus what it did 10-20-30 years ago.  So 
far, I have not heard a single LUGGER suggest that the M-6 is built to higher 
tolerances and precision than the M-3's and M-4's of 30 and 40 years ago.  

It has been my view that progress is made by carefully examining a product 
and improving upon it rather than with a view to reducing its quality so it 
may be made more cheaply which in most instance results in a less well made 
product.  Unless those who post on the board are off base, that is what has 
happened to the M series camera.  There was even a post that one of the 
independent repair persons was concerned with the present day quality.  
Certainly the M-6 I purchased new was so poorly manufactured that the 
pressure plate scratched film.  That is a simple part that even a 9th grade 
shop student could produce to acceptable  finish and tolerances.  Some of the 
LUG board members advised that happened because someone was ill and the 
replacement was not capable.  That was truly a feeble excuse not befitting a 
precision manufacturing concern since quality control is employed to 
guarantee the finished product meets minimum manufacturing tolerances by 
catching defects produced by the person producing the part.  The LUGGERS 
whose only defense is that other manufacturers do not have enviable quality 
control records just dumbs down the process so it is acceptable for a 
manufacturer to sell goods that exhibit more errors than previously.  If 
Leica users demand excellence, they will receive it, if they do not so 
demand, the quality of the product will fall to their acceptance level.

LUG posting members have even said that they are now checking the merchandise 
before leaving the shop with it.  This is certainly something that was 
unnecessary during the Leitz days.

Hey; I love this give and take!  I notice one of the LUGGERS was so excited 
by what someone had to say he actually challenged the person to a fight.  
Must have been a big stick he stuck in the guy's ant hill. 

Critical? Yeah, I am critical but when a company holds itself out as the 
preeminent manufacturer of the highest quality camera and optical goods, they 
leave a lot of room for close examination, especially when we still have 
products of the Leitz family to compare with the present production.

The water bath should have the chemicals down to 70 deg. F so another session 
may get started.

Thanks again for the support to speak out.