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If the lenses of the X1 aren't produced in Germany, what's MADE in GERMANY?

LinsBarroso

By LinsBarroso
in Leica X

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prk60091

prk60091

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I was sure, the Leica X1 is Made in Germany.

Now, I discover that even the lenses are not produced in Germany.

Does the Leica factory in Germany is just an assembly line?:eek:

 

what difference does this make?

 

i don't think the nation where the camera or elements is made makes a difference whatsoever as to the quality. They qualify under the EU as to being made in Germany. I have read that it means that they are assembled in Germany and subject to Leica's direct quality control. Now that you have that information- does it make the Image Quality any less?

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LinsBarroso

LinsBarroso

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Nope.

 

Seriously, it does not matter.

 

Or do you believe that the Portugal or Canada-manufactured Leicas of the past were in some way inferior?

 

It's a global economy.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Do you would like to buy an original Rolex watch, made in Japan, under the quality control of the company?

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bill

bill

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Honestly, I wouldn't have a modern Rolex as a gift, so the point is moot - all tasteless bling on the outside and built down to a price inside.

 

Getting back to the point; it simply does not matter for a mass-produced gadget like an X1.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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h00ligan

h00ligan

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Why does this matter..

 

Honestly when I think of 'Made in Germany' I think of attractive delicate products that you don't want to own out of warranty. not, last forever high quality product for the people, inexpensive to maintain - these days.

 

Manufacture is a global industry, I think to try and quantify quality by country of assembly or design is a futile task on many fronts, not the least of which is the fact that very few things are 'made' anywhere anymore.

 

Also, I marvel at the trend of leica threads to transform to watch threads.. interesting. I couldn't care less about watches, but love Leica's design... it seems that appreciation for the two goes hand in hand though.. so the jewelry aspect of Leica certainly seems to have some weight.

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elviskennedy

elviskennedy

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I don't think it matters in terms of usage but the one issue that needs reconciling is Leica's insistence in marketing materials that each Leica product is painstakingly made by hand in Germany. Leading to increased quality and of course, increased prices. If Leica is using mass produced manufacturing techniques with low-cost labor then I think it's fair to put Leica to task for the inconsistency. Or at least keep it in mind when deciding whether a particular Leica product is "worth" the money they seek.

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elviskennedy

elviskennedy

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Please point out where they say that...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Four quick points from 5 quick minutes of research;

 

- Leica M Brochure page 83 next to photo of the X1: "Leica Camera is a name that stands for the best in German precision engineering and craftsmanship"

 

- Same brochure page 21: "Matchless manufacturing precision and painstaking assembly".

 

- X1 brochure page 12 - "The X1 is the direct beneficiary of 100-plus years of German engineering and experience".

 

- The "Made in Germany" stamp on every camera.

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marknorton

marknorton

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Most here would agree that the phrase "Made in Germany" is intended to convey an impression of quality in manufacture. Don't know about the X1 but on the back of the M9, it's there for all to see which is a bit of an exaggeration since the camera arrives largely assembled by the half of Leica's workforce who live on Portugal. There are some final assembly, adjustment and testing operations in Solms but does that make the camera "Made in Germany"? The parts from the camera come from all over and if you type the LCD display part no into Google, you quickly find it is made in Taiwan.

 

The same is true of the Porsche Cayenne which is mostly made on the same line as the Audi Q7 and VW Toureg in Bratislava and shipped 4 in a boxcar to Leipzig where they stuff the German assembled engine into it. The parts for said engines come from goodness knows where and the transmission for many 911's is made in Japan.

 

As Bill says, it's a global economy so it doesn't much matter where things are made. I do think though that Leica and others are stretching a point by saying "Made in Germany" to gain kudos when it doesn't warrant it.

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bill

bill

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- Leica M Brochure page 83 next to photo of the X1: "Leica Camera is a name that stands for the best in German precision engineering and craftsmanship"

 

- Same brochure page 21: "Matchless manufacturing precision and painstaking assembly".

 

- X1 brochure page 12 - "The X1 is the direct beneficiary of 100-plus years of German engineering and experience".

 

- The "Made in Germany" stamp on every camera.

 

...none of which actually claims that "...each Leica product is painstakingly made by hand in Germany", does it?

 

Mere marketing puff should not be taken literally - or indeed misquoted.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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elviskennedy

elviskennedy

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Perhaps you missed my point: Leica, through their marketing efforts, imply that each Leica product is made by hand in Germany. There are many more references to this in their materials than the few I pointed out (along with "Made in Germany" stamped on the products). They can't connect the dots directly for the customer because it's not true. What they do is lead the reader to infer that it's true. Whether that's improper or not can be argued. Caveat emptor and all that.

 

Neither did I suggest that anyone take marketing puffery literally. I was only pointing out that if Leica wants to play that game they must accept that some people will question what it means that many of Leica's products are not in fact precision manufactured in Germany. And is it worth the premium price if that's the case?

 

Who misquoted Leica's marketing statements?

 

 

...none of which actually claims that "...each Leica product is painstakingly made by hand in Germany", does it?

 

Mere marketing puff should not be taken literally - or indeed misquoted.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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LinsBarroso

LinsBarroso

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Perhaps you missed my point: Leica, through their marketing efforts, imply that each Leica product is made by hand in Germany. There are many more references to this in their materials than the few I pointed out (along with "Made in Germany" stamped on the products). They can't connect the dots directly for the customer because it's not true. What they do is lead the reader to infer that it's true. Whether that's improper or not can be argued. Caveat emptor and all that.

 

Neither did I suggest that anyone take marketing puffery literally. I was only pointing out that if Leica wants to play that game they must accept that some people will question what it means that many of Leica's products are not in fact precision manufactured in Germany. And is it worth the premium price if that's the case?

 

Who misquoted Leica's marketing statements?

 

 

I have the same oppinion and I think it's the same of many customers who is buying Leica today!

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