[Leica] The Chinese Leitz lens factory

[apbc <apbc@public1.sta.net.cn>]

Jonathan - yes it is here in Shanghai I believe. They  make a lot of 
surveying instruments here too but this is not in any way connected to 
the camera group nowadays as I understand it.

I for one would search high and low for a German made M6 the minute Leica 
announces production of cameras will be moved to China. QC just is not 
the same when brands shift production overseas. Any of the millions of 
Chinese who have driven a Shanghai VW will testify to that. Sometimes it 
will be better: I for one believe that the Leitz Midland plant is a case 
in point mainly since it was involved mainly in higher end products than 
consumer cameras. 

Any impressions of the microscope quality you are ready to offer at this 
early stage? Maybe it is just an assembly plant like many high tech 
operations in China (such as for computer peripherals)? In that case I 
would not be too alarmed! Cars have to have the majority of components 
sourced locally and that is cause for most of the problems IMHO>

Bests

Adrian


Adrian Bradshaw
Editorial and Corporate Photography
Shanghai, China