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Are the Leica lenses's Leica/Panasonic models, made in Germany?


LinsBarroso

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How much input Leica have into the actual lens designs is anyones guess, they may just be 'rubber stamping' Panasonics design. In any case, no, the lenses aren't made in Germany.

 

This is what Panasonic say on their website;

 

Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. Leica DC lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.

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They are made on Earth, that is good enough for me.

 

There is no special magic about one country (or their workforce) over another.

 

After all, I learned from Top Gear that even Mexico produce sportscars now... :rolleyes::D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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How much input Leica have into the actual lens designs is anyones guess, they may just be 'rubber stamping' Panasonics design. In any case, no, the lenses aren't made in Germany.

 

This is what Panasonic say on their website;

 

Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. Leica DC lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.

 

 

Actually, we are well aware of the procedure, as Mr. Daniel explained it in a LUF meeting. The Panasonic designers come to Solms a few times for a week to have their design pulled to pieces by Leica engineers, returning dejectidly to Japan,until Leica is satisfied. The production is then monitored by Leica.

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Actually, we are well aware of the procedure, as Mr. Daniel explained it in a LUF meeting. The Panasonic designers come to Solms a few times for a week to have their design pulled to pieces by Leica engineers, returning dejectidly to Japan,until Leica is satisfied. The production is then monitored by Leica.

 

If you believe that I have a $5,000,000 wire transfer waiting for you from a General in the Nigerian Army, if you pay a "processing fee" of $100,000 first.

 

What preposterous nonsense. They are all standard Panasonic lenses. The Leica "input" consists of collecting a royalty check for licensing the name.

 

By the way jaapv, do YOU collect a royalty check from Leica? I mean it takes a lot of work to post 24/7 with pro-Leica sentiments.

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If you believe that I have a $5,000,000 wire transfer waiting for you from a General in the Nigerian Army, if you pay a "processing fee" of $100,000 first.

 

What preposterous nonsense. They are all standard Panasonic lenses. The Leica "input" consists of collecting a royalty check for licensing the name.

 

By the way jaapv, do YOU collect a royalty check from Leica? I mean it takes a lot of work to post 24/7 with pro-Leica sentiments.

I'm sure Mr. Daniel will be thrilled to hear his presentation at the 2009 LUF meeting in Solms being called "preposterous nonsense" :rolleyes: -and by such an expert forum member too...
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Yes, we know/ Jaap is describing the design phase and the QC procedures Leica specify for the manufacturer - as told to a group from the forum by Leica themselves.

 

I was there. The guide who took us round the factory also confirmed Leica's input by way of QC in Japan.

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I bought a new PanaLeica Clux 2 equivalent, for £99. That sort of money doesn't buy you much 'Leica'.

 

It's was a great little camera until some larger dust specks found their way down inside the lens onto the sensor!

 

Interesting too that the Digilux 1 lens was also used on a Canon and - I think - an Olympus camera at the time.

 

Whatever Leica's involvement, and I suspect it is fairly minimal, the PanaLeica's are fine cameras and Leica are happy for their name to be associated with them.

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Does made in China vs Japan vs Germany matter anymore?

 

Fundamentally the value is directed more towards where it was engineered and designed.

 

China which used to have an appalling reputation just a few decades ago for production is quite different from today. They use german precision plants and equipment and work to high specifications. Similarly Japan has been (designing and) producing high quality cameras and lenses for long long time.

 

Almost all of 's products come out of China, but the design and engineering came out of the US.

 

Perhaps the 'made in Germany' that may matter is the collector/vintage Leica and Leitz. But then there is the Wetzlar vs Canadian - but that's another discussion :D

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