Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/28

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Was: MP's tp plate Now: Japanese made glass.
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 06:58:52 -0700
References: <NEBBJDFBIKOBILIKPPBNCEIGNBAA.red735i@earthlink.net> <5.1.1.6.0.20030727165138.00b61cd8@mail.horizon.bc.ca>

David Young wrote:
> 
> Mark Rabiner said:
> 
> >Zeiss glass made in Japan. Bad combination.
> 
> I can't speak for the Zeiss glass, but the Kyocera (who make those Zeiss
> lenses) made Vario-Elmar 80~200/f4 has engraving everywhere and a build
> quality that equals any Leitz or Leica glass I've ever owned.
> 
> It's also the best (sharpness/contrast) lens I've ever owned.
> 
> So Zeiss has allowed Kyocera to build cheapie Zeiss lenses.  Unfortunate.
> But Kyocera can make lenses the equal of any, if the buyer is willing to
> pay the price.  (Leica apparently are. Zeiss, apparently, are not.)
> 
> So, please, don't run down Japanese made glass.  Even the stuff designed
> there can be pretty good!
> 
> ----------
> 
> David Young,     | égalité, liberté,
> Victoria, CANADA | fraternité et Beaujolais.
> 
> Website at: www.horizon.bc.ca/~dnr
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html


The bad combination is "all painted numbers" (cheaper lenses) against
"Zeiss glass made in Japan."

Or cheap  "Zeiss glass made in Japan." when it could have been nice
quality "Zeiss glass made in Japan." 

Not "Zeiss glass made in Japan" as a bad combination in itself.

By all painted numbers I'm saying what you are saying when you say it's
a shame they can't make a better product aimed at a higher market. Lens
design and manufacture are great but the follow through comes in the
presentation. They way the lens looks. And of course there is
functionality in how well the numbers and letters are readable.
Nikon and Canon lenses look there times better then the Contax.
Hasselblad and Rolleiflex SLR several times more.
That's a shame when there is probably such great glass inside.

Mark Rabiner
Portland, Oregon USA
http://www.rabinergroup.com
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In reply to: Message from "Frank Filippone" <red735i@earthlink.net> (RE: [Leica] MP's tp plate)
Message from David Young <dnr@horizon.bc.ca> ([Leica] Was: MP's tp plate Now: Japanese made glass.)