Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have Canon and Nikon lenses and bodies that are 45-55 years old and function flawlessly as well, including the exposure meter on a Nikon F. The Canon and Nikon rangefinder lenses of the 50s were definitely better built than the Leica ones - they don't fog, and the glass does not scratch. My view is that in those days almost all companies built to higher standards of longevity - though modern lenses are much better optically. Cheers Jayanand On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 7:49 PM, Seth Rosner <sethrosner@nycap.rr.com> wrote: > Hoooo! I'm so out-of-it that I wasn't aware that Nikon (and others???) are > now manufacturing in China. I wonder how that gear will perform decades > from > now. What depth of experience and know-how in this field do the Chinese > have > - no disrespect intended for they have mega-experience in some areas. > > My 90/2,8 Elmarit is 35 years old, the 35/2,8 Summaron is 42 and the 50/2 > DR Summicron is 44, not even discussing the IIIc/IIIf conversion (60+ years > old!!!) and its lenses. And they all function flawlessly and at world-class > levels. > > Of course, for me it doesn't really matter since there is some reasonable > doubt that I'll be around 40 years from now! at least not as fully > functional as my Leica gear :-( > > What it does illustrate is how manufacturers, Leica Camera and perhaps > others (Carl Zeiss & Schneider-Kreuznach Deutschland?) excluded, regard > their wares as throw- away stuff, expensive throw-away but throw-away > nonetheless. Not my kind of world. > > Seth > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leonard Taupier" <len-001@verizon.net> > To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> > Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 7:18 PM > Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and everyone > else > > > Mark, >> >> Actually the only 50mm lens that Nikon still makes in Japan is the >> manual focus AIS 50mm f1.2. Even the new AFS 50mm is made in China. >> So actually you could say it's something they are knocking out for >> 500 bucks out of China which says Nikon on it. ;-) That's certainly >> progress. >> >> Len >> >> >> On Feb 4, 2009, at 4:35 PM, Mark Rabiner wrote: >> >> I think Nikon just may have learned something about optics in the >>> past 30 >>> years. I love my old pre AF glass the build is great but I think >>> the smart >>> money is on the modern glass from Nikon better better than the old >>> stuff. >>> And that would apply to Leica and Minolta and any other glass making >>> company. Corning. >>> Build is great nostalgia is great but optical science marches on. >>> They're charging 500 bucks for the darned thing. >>> It going to be better than something they were knocking out for 88 >>> bucks out >>> of Thailand which said Nikon on it. >>> >>> >>> Mark William Rabiner >>> >>> >>> >>> From: Leonard Taupier <len-001@verizon.net> >>>> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >>>> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 15:26:29 -0500 >>>> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and >>>> everyone >>>> else >>>> >>>> I've already tried the new Nikon. My son bought it two weeks ago. The >>>> focus is very slow but if you have a D40X or D60 it'll work fine. I >>>> found my 1977 AI'd 50/1.4 was just as sharp. The 50/2.0 you can get >>>> from KEH for $69 is just as good as well. I find with the D700 I >>>> prefer using the old classic manual focus lenses. They certainly are >>>> made better then their AF siblings. >>>> >>>> Len >>>> >>>> >>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 12:29 PM, Chris Williams wrote: >>>> >>>> Hey Mark, >>>>> >>>>> The Nikon 50/1.4 G AF-S is already out, and $499. >>>>> >>>>> Chris >>>>> >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Rabiner" Subject: [Leica] >>>>> Monster High-tech 50mm 1.4 from Sigma and everyone else >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> " In 2008, full-frame DSLR's from three makers became >>>>>> affordable, and >>>>>> interest in classic 50mm lenses was renewed." >>>>>> >>>>>> I've had my eye on the new redesign of the Nikon 50 1.4 about to >>>>>> come out; >>>>>> For like 333 some odd bucks but with silent built in auto focusing >>>>>> AFS they >>>>>> call it which are not on my other versions. Especially my AI >>>>>> version. And >>>>>> focusing manually at f1.4 and be there on a cheap body with non >>>>>> groundglass >>>>>> style groundglass is hit or miss. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.17/1934 - Release Date: 02/04/09 > 08:24:00 > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >