Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/10/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 5:06 PM, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> wrote: > Richard, actually I was just commenting on your view on why Leica lenses > cost so much. > You've drifted off track ;-) Is that the same as OT drivel? Because, like, if it is, I may have driven out another newbie or two :-) > > Yes the Zeiss designed, Cosina made lens range are excellent performers > (I've had several). > Two of their ZM lenses with demanding specifications are made in Germany > and > prices are similar to those from Leica. > 85 mm f/2 Sonnar USD 2,912 > 75mm f/2 APO Summicron ASPH USD 3,295 > 15 mm f/2.8 Distagon USD 4,015 > 21mm f/2.8 Elmar USD 4,195 > Last Photokina the Zeiss representative commented to a dealer visitor that > Zeiss could not produce a digital M for what Leica sells them for either. > By the way Doug uses the equipment he has because he considers it the best. > However his photos are a result of his amazing skill more than from any > equipment he has chosen. SO now it's back to skills?!! Face it, WE WANT Leica equipments. No justifications needed :-) I say, it's the fairy dust from Solm. > 2009/10/9 Richard Man <richard.lists at gmail.com> > >> Nah, I am not missing the points. In fact, you prove my point there - >> the glass is just a part of the cost, the workmanship go into making >> it into elements are the greater part. >> >> Leica lens is ONE of the best, but to assert that it's much better >> than Zeiss etc. do not show up in reality. For example, your most >> excellent pictures. Are you sure they will suffer even visibly when >> you print large if you were to choose a lesser Zeiss lens? Most people >> do not take GREAT pictures at 1.4. Most people do not NEED the tight >> tolerance of the Leica lens. Now, for Doug Herr, that's a different >> story. His fowl pictures get their sharpness and characteristic from >> the Leica lens. Most other mortals? Nah. >> >> That does not mean I don't crave for Leica lens. Far from it. I don't >> NEED them, but I sure WANT them :-) >> >> When fund becomes available, I will pick up the 90/2 AA again, and who >> knows, with all these people migrating to the M9, may be there will be >> a "inexpensive" 24/1.4 out there. >> >> On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 2:11 PM, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> >> wrote: >> > That rather misses the point though Richard. >> > To assist in achieving those design goals, some of those blanks are from >> > extremely expensive and exotic glass types. >> > Grinding and inspection is done one element at a time by extremely >> skilled >> > operators. Assembly into the intricate all metal mounts is entirely by >> hand >> > which themselves are expensive ?and made to tolerances of 1/100th of a >> mm. >> > Example of important contributor to Leica lens excellence >> > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/g/l_001/s032.jpg.html >> > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/g/l_001/S07.jpg.html >> > ?http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/g/l_001/S09.jpg.html >> > >> > >> > 2009/10/9 Richard Man <richard.lists at gmail.com> >> > >> >> That may be true, but I am betting dollars to donuts that the cost of >> >> blank does not account for the difference in end prices. >> >> >> >> The low number manufactured is the prime reason, and because of that, >> >> they can afford to use high level of tolerance and greater emphasize >> >> on certain design goals (i.e. good performance even wide open), but >> >> those are "side-effects." The main cause is still the simple >> >> arithmetic of "they ain't going to sell many" >> >> >> >> On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 11:26 AM, Doug Herr < >> wildlightphoto at earthlink.net> >> >> wrote: >> >> > >> >> > Company A can specify glass type ABC with tolerances for refractive >> index >> >> +-0.2% dispersion +-0.25% surface hardness +-0.3% expansion coefficient >> >> +-0.7% and company B can specify the same glass type with tolerances >> >> 1/2 >> of >> >> company A's requirements and I'll bet company B's glass blanks are >> >> gonna >> >> cost more and the finished lenses will show a lot less sample >> >> variation. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> // richard m: richard @imagecraft.com >> >> // w: http://www.imagecraft.com/pub/Portfolio09/ blog: >> >> http://rfman.wordpress.com >> >> // book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/745963 >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Leica Users Group. >> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > Cheers >> > Geoff >> > The new LEICA M9 >> > Passion for perfect pictures. >> > http://www.m.leica-camera.com >> > >> > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ >> > http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Leica Users Group. >> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> // richard m: richard @imagecraft.com >> // w: http://www.imagecraft.com/pub/Portfolio09/ blog: >> http://rfman.wordpress.com >> // book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/745963 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > Cheers > Geoff > The new LEICA M9 > Passion for perfect pictures. > http://www.m.leica-camera.com > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ > http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- // richard m: richard @imagecraft.com // w: http://www.imagecraft.com/pub/Portfolio09/ blog: http://rfman.wordpress.com // book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/745963