My original message, in its essence, was asking how can consumers be so
easily fooled by marketing. A few years ago, one of the Leica groups ran
a photo contest based on the Family of Man. The only rule was that the
image had to be make with a Leica. Then someone wanted to know about
using a Leica body with a Voigtlander lens? The answer came back: Well,
yeah, ok! And then, how about a Leica body with one of the Russian
lenses? Yeah, sure. And then, how about a Leica-named digital camera
made by Panasonic with no Leica made components? The answer came back
whispered, yes, as long as the Leica name is on the camera. And finally,
what about a Panasonic made camera with the Panasonic label? That too
was okayed. Some consumers have a self-appointed interest in keeping the
label "elitist" when the reality is otherwise.
Allan
Winsor Crosby wrote:
> Leica has licensed their name and some of their design to other
> makers since the Leica/Minolta CL in 1973. Nothing new here. Probably
> most of the Leica variants are sold in Japan because they like the
> marque and also like small cameras. No one really confuses those
> bread and butter cameras with Leicas, well maybe some do. And who
> knows how much input the German design team provided? Sometimes great
> actors do television, for the money to support the art they really
> want to do.
>
> It really is about design and fabrications standards. Canada was the
> second great site for that "legendary German craftsmanship" back in
> the 60's, and then Portugal. Your logic seems to be that if something
> is made in Japan it should not be more expensive than other Japanese
> products. But other things also influence the price as others have
> noted. Otherwise there would be no difference between a Bentley and
> an Austin because they were both built in England. I would be willing
> to wager that the Kodak sensor mated to the first ever offset
> microlens filter cost millions and millions, for a low production
> camera.
>
> I was not aware that Leica lenses were made in Japan except the ones
> licensed by Panasonic attached to Panasonic cameras with Leica
> nameplates. I admit I have not followed the Leica adventures closely
> for a few years. Thank goodness they have replaced the crap
> electronics they had. VW and Audi should do the same. Which lenses
> are made in Japan?
>
> Winsor
> Long Beach, CA
> USA
>
>
> On Sep 16, 2006, at 7:52 PM, AllanDan wrote:
>
>
>> I'm unable to follow the logic Leica uses to charge premium prices for
>> it's equipment at this late date. In its mechanical days, it touted
>> its
>> mechanical excellence and fine glass, but today most, if not all,
>> of its
>> electronics and glass come from Japan. Will we every see a Leica box
>> printed "Made in Japan"
>>
>> Allan
>>
>
>
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