Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Another aspect is that nowadays precision components are built to tight tollerances whilst in the good old days components were made to fit during assembly. The relatively soft brass was very convenient for this, but if tight tollerances are possible, stainless steel is simply more durable. And nowadays the number of components is less. All that, plus pre-assemply at a place with relatively low labour cost helped to lower the real cost of a Leica M. As an additional benefit there are less interfaces that could go out of whack. Progress in lubricants and surface coatings in bearings etc.. eased the periods for cleaning lubing. Generally I find that most of todays' products are more reliable, need less maintenance and repairs, except thosee from Microsoft for which however there was now equivalent in the 1950s. On the other hand the cost of manual, skilled labour has increased in real terms which has put pressure on manufactures to reduced scheduled maintenance and repair capacities. HP - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html