Re: [Leica] Noctilux (from Canada or Germany?)

[Dr H L Lau <shllau@hkusua.hku.hk>]

Hello Simon, Adrian and Stephen,

This question stemmed out of pure curiosity. Of course it doesn't matter to me where the lens is made, Canada or Germany, so long as it has outstanding performance, which this Noctilux f/1.0 really does have.
The thoughts (or expectations) that came through my mind are interesting. The Noctilux is one of the most famous lenses in the Leica M series. And Leica is justly proud of it. In "Leica The Program", it is stated, "The Noctilux-M gives Leica-M photography capabilities that are beyond the reach of
other outfits."
So if they can put away their pride (or arrogance for that matter) just as they do with the Noctilux, many other lenses, e.g. the Vario-Elmarit R 35-70/2.8, can be produced in adequate amount to quench the thirst of many Leica users and collectors, if the help of ELCAN is sought or used.  ELCAN
obviously still possesses the technical capabilities of producing outstanding lenses, the Noctilux being a prime example.  Conversely, it reveals the limitations of the Solms manufacturing capabilities (designing capabilities should be first-rate given the new designs there).
If only ELCAN is still part of Leica, we'd have more lenses of our wish!
The e-mail answer from ELCAN has been quoted with my original post: they are STILL manufacturing the Noctilux.

Horace Lau
Hong Kong

>
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 13:55:44 -0000
> From: "Simon Lamb" <simon@sclamb.com>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Noctilux (from Canada or Germany?)
> Message-ID: <002e01c09ffb$d0fe2c60$830a0a0a@phoenixdb.co.uk>
> References: <200102260801.AAA14460@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> <3A9A52AF.192669EA@hkusua.hku.hk>
>
> Dr H
>
> The question does begged to be asked, so I will ask it - why does the
> country of manufacture matter to you?  Is this merely an issue of interest
> or does manufacture in Germany suggest a better quality product?  I have had
> no problems with my Canadian Noctilux, and I believe it was Ted Grant who
> stood proudly behind the Made in Canada marking 9as indeed he should, it is
> an excellent piece of precision engineering).
>
> Simon
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 22:31:22 +0800
> From: apbbeijing <apbbeijing@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Noctilux (from Canada or Germany?)
> Message-ID: <B6C089B9.9D57%apbbeijing@yahoo.com>
> References:
>
> > Is this merely an issue of interest
> > or does manufacture in Germany suggest a better quality product?
> PMFJI but this is quite interesting since Leica used to own the Elcan plant
> and since divesting itself of this top grade mfg facility seems to have had
> a number of unprecedented problems getting lenses to market: the Noctilux
> being one but the Apo-90 another. The Noctilux, along with all other made in
> Canada lenses (according to earlier pronouncements) was supposed to have
> been made in Germany for several years already but Solms cannot keep up.
>
> Of course it doesn't matter as far as yr pictures are concerned - so long as
> you got an example of the lens in question. The 35-70 2.8 is a lens that may
> well be available now if only the Elcan plant was part of Leica camera still
> - - at least that is my speculation FWIW.
>
> Rs
>
> Adrian
> - --
> Adrian Bradshaw
> Corporate and Editorial Photography
> Beijing, China
> tel/fax +86 10 6532 5112
> mobile +86 139 108 22292
> e-mail apbbeijing@yahoo.com
> OR adrianpeterbradshaw@compuserve.com
>
> website:   http://www.apbphoto.com
>            http://www.liaisonintl.com/bradshaw.htm
>            http://www.liaisonintl.com/bradshaw_e.htm
>
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> ------------------------------
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 07:27:35 -0800
> From: Stephen Gandy <Stephen@CameraQuest.com>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Noctilux (from Canada or Germany?)
> Message-ID: <3A9A75E7.4418A8B@CameraQuest.com>
> References: <B6C09261.127B%joseph@yao.com>
>
> According to Elcan about a year ago, all Leica Lens production had already been
> moved to Germany.
>
> If your new Nocts are Canadian, it would seem either production was moved back to
> Canada, or it is old production just being sold (more likely in my opinion).
> Check with Elcan, they actually answer email !
>
> Stephen Gandy
>
>