Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/03/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Larry some aspherical elements used in modern Leica M lenses do start out as a compression moulded blanks made from pre-machined material. There are limitations on glass type and physical size for that method. I have seen about 2 cubic meters of these blanks from Ohara in the corridor at the Solms factory. Erwin Puts tells us that this type may be found in some M wide angles. Larger elements, for example in the faster lens designs are made by CNC machining. Some of the glass types are actually extremely expensive with the common report that one element in particular lenses costs more than the rest combined. Whatever the actual material costs, these elements are made one at a time and that process as well as the coating is very sophisticated. You can see the grinding machines at work at Solms as well. Assembly is entirely manual and the mounts as well are extremely precise. Whatever opinions are regarding performance, mechanical precision, value or inflation tables it is a fact that the M9 has been extremely successful and is still largely back ordered everywhere. Current production numbers are the highest that they have been since its inception and the staff at Solms are still working overtime to try to catch up. My last email from Solms was sent last Saturday afternoon from there. Perhaps directly influenced by the success of the M9 is that demand for M lenses has also greatly increased. So much so that a number of the most desirable and expensive lenses are also well into back order status. People are also buying the high end lenses over the less expensive Summarits despite the excellence of those designs. Go and try to find the Summilux 50 ASPH. on a dealer shelf anywhere. Current back orders here are now four months long for that one for example. In short, the market disagrees with your analysis. Cheers Geoff http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman On 10 March 2010 03:35, Lawrence Zeitlin <lrzeitlin at gmail.com> wrote: > ...... > So why is the M9 and its associate lenses so expensive......Larry Z > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >