Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/01/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've read lots of these type of posts recently complaining about manufacturing quality of Leica lenses and bodies. All I can say is that this baffles me as I have never had a single problem so far with any lens, body or Leica accessory I've owned with the exception of a missing red dot on a pre ASPH 35mm/2. I own both LTM, M and R cameras and lenses. Even the one time notorious R8. All problem free! The IIIG and Summitar 50 I bought in early December are 48 and 53 years respectively. The previous owner had kept both items in a safe for more than two decades. I'm amazed at the results I'm getting from this lens (now that I know it doesn't handle flare very well) and the shutter speeds from 1 second to 1,000 seconds seem to be bang on. Am I very much an exception and all alone in this regards or are there other list members who have not had such problems? Regards, Greg Don R. wrote: >You asked about the metal work on the 135 APO. > >The f/stop ring flops around like it was made and fitted by an 8th grade >shop class dropout. I have to be extremely cautious or the slightest touch >will move the f/stop setting.The current Leica metal work sucks compared to >the Leitz metal work. > >The pressure plate in the one and only M6 I ever bought was so poorly >finished it scratched the film. I set it up on a diamond lap and lapped it >till is was FLAT and SMOOTH. > >The only thing one can say now days about a Leica is it is slightly better >finished than its competitors. Fortunately, the name Leitz has been removed >so that family's name will not be sullied by the current lack of care. > >It is very difficult to replace former members of the German military >service who had a tremendous work ethic and pride in their work with the >current day vacationers who spend a huge amount of their time away from the >work bench. Thank goodness for CNC equipment and molds that shape the APO >lenses without human intervention. > >At one time there was pride in ownership when you owned a Leitz Leica. Now >the mass production and off-shore sourcing has removed that source of pride, >at least for this writer. > >Don R. >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com> >To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> >Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 2:27 PM >Subject: RE: [Leica] Opinions/comments on 135/3.4 APO Telyt M lense... > > >>>My beef is the metal work looks like it was done in pre-WWII Japan. >>> >>Don, >> >>Would you please elaborate on that? It looks just like the other >>lenses...90/2, 75/1.4, 50/1.4 as far as "metalwork" goes... >> >>Regards, >> >>Austin >> >>-- >>To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html >> > > >-- >To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html