Einst_Stein Posted November 27, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 27, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Every Leica stuff I have handled feel so solid. Even the plastic rich Leica T lenses. Why most others are not, including the Zeiss ZM stuffs and old Contax N, for example. What corners have they cut? how much can that save? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 27, 2016 Posted November 27, 2016 Hi Einst_Stein, Take a look here What makes Leica stuffs feel so solid, or why others are. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Herr Barnack Posted November 27, 2016 Share #2 Posted November 27, 2016 (edited) Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 lens https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585343-USA/Nikon_2180_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4G.html sells for $447 USD. By comparison, Leica's 50mm f/1.4 M lens https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332585-USA/Leica_11891_50mm_f_1_4_Summilux_M.html sells for $3795 USD. I read somewhere that both Nikon and Canon builds more lenses in one day than Leica builds in an entire year. The only way that Nikon and Canon can do that is to mass produce their lenses, build them on an automated assembly line and accept tolerances that are - by contrast to Leica's tolerances - best described as extremely forgiving (AKA loose or sloppy). The results of Leica's obsessive dedication to perfection are obvious. I will never forget the day that one of my Velvia transparencies that was made with my 50 Summilux ended up mixed in with my Nikon transparencies. The Summilux transparency was frighteningly sharp, contrasty and saturated compared to to the Nikon transparencies; the clarity was astounding. The Nikon transparency looked lifeless next to the Summilux transparency. Edited November 27, 2016 by Carlos Danger Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted November 27, 2016 Share #3 Posted November 27, 2016 Leica makes use of heavy materials like brass and aluminium. They are harder to make than plastic parts, but can be made with tighter tolerances than their plastic counterparts. An other advantage is that they will last longer of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewittehd Posted November 27, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 27, 2016 Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 lens https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585343-USA/Nikon_2180_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4G.html sells for $447 USD. By comparison, Leica's 50mm f/1.4 M lens https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332585-USA/Leica_11891_50mm_f_1_4_Summilux_M.html sells for $3795 USD. I read somewhere that both Nikon and Canon builds more lenses in one day than Leica builds in an entire year. The only way that Nikon and Canon can do that is to mass produce their lenses, build them on an automated assembly line and accept tolerances that are - by contrast to Leica's tolerances - best described as extremely forgiving (AKA loose or sloppy). The results of Leica's obsessive dedication to perfection are obvious. I will never forget the day that one of my Velvia transparencies that was made with my 50 Summilux ended up mixed in with my Nikon transparencies. The Summilux transparency was frighteningly sharp, contrasty and saturated compared to to the Nikon transparencies; the clarity was astounding. The Nikon transparency looked lifeless next to the Summilux transparency. You are obviously joking................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted November 27, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 27, 2016 Every Leica stuff I have handled feel so solid. Even the plastic rich Leica T lenses. Why most others are not, including the Zeiss ZM stuffs and old Contax N, for example. What corners have they cut? how much can that save? You've obviously never had an old Zenit SLR, they're solid enough to use as hammers. Seriously though, as everyone says, Leica uses better materials and tighter tolerances. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest VVJ Posted November 27, 2016 Share #6 Posted November 27, 2016 You've obviously never had an old Zenit SLR, they're solid enough to use as hammers. You could easily kill somebody with my old Mamiya RB67... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted November 28, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 28, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Pick up an ancient Nikon F2, it was solidly built and not all that different from the Leica M4 of the same vintage. I remember the day the Canon rep brought a new camera into the store, it was an AE-1. The camera looked like every other camera but the top and bottom plates were plastic, it was a huge change in quality, it was cheap and everyone bought one. Functionally it was a great camera, just as 99% of equipment from the major manufacturers is today. In todays digital world the bodies are obsolete within a few years so how much quality is necessary, lenses are another matter and I find it interesting that Canon has upped their quality in the new 35mm f1.4 as well as the price. Can't say I don't enjoy my all plastic Canon SL1 with kit zoom, not Leica quality but its light as a feather and fun to have along when image quality is not paramount. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted November 28, 2016 Share #8 Posted November 28, 2016 Why most others are not, including the Zeiss ZM stuffs.... I'd perhaps agree in the pleasure to handle a Leica-M lens, but there is no haptic (and as far my eyes can see) difference to a Zeiss ZM or actual Zeiss ZF lenses imo. Thomas 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
euston Posted November 28, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 28, 2016 Every Leica stuff I have handled feel so solid. Even the plastic rich Leica T lenses. Why most others are not, including the Zeiss ZM stuffs and old Contax N, for example. What makes you think the T lenses are plastic rich? The three I have appear to be made of metal and glass, which probably accounts for the weight and the solid feel that you've noticed. The Zeiss ZM lenses I have feel equally dense and solid to me. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 28, 2016 Share #10 Posted November 28, 2016 It's true that most Leica gear has a high quality and nice tactile feel to it, but I don't think it's exclusive to Leica. I only like to use equipment that I like the feel of. I've picked up some cameras and put them back down after 30 seconds knowing that I'd never enjoy using them. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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