insight into L lens production

[bags27]

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A year old interview, apparently just published, with Dr. Kaufmann allows us to appreciate some of the technical and production challenges, including L mount:

So, they’re difficult to manufacture? 

Sure, with prototypes anything is possible. A design is good until we try to produce it, then we hit obstacles. For example, the 75 Noctilux for M had to be redesigned three times during the industrialization process. The 90 SL had to be redesigned twice. And we are still facing small challenges. But, we will continue to address these. And in the end, the final product will be worth it.

What about your supply chain? Does that ever cause delays?

Supply is always an issue. We are the last European camera company left. Getting components which allow us to manufacture at the high level of tolerances we require remains a challenge.

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2019/07/breakfast-with-dr-andreas-kaufmann/

Edited July 14, 2019 by bags27

[J12]

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing. I think they did a fantastic job with the SL considering it was introduced back in 2015. I didn't buy one until 2017, but have been very happy with it. As an M user for many years I was initially apprehensive about the heft and size of the SL with 24-90mm, but find the range it enables and quality it produces worth it.

I'm glad a European camera company with their design philosophy still exists. It's always interesting to see the latest and greatest tech the consumer electronic companies like Sony etc put out, but in practical use there's really only so much you need to take pictures.

I can see using the SL for quite sometime yet. It's an incredibly solid and well thought out camera. If making the choice again today, I'd still choose it just for the simplicity of design and ease of use.

 

[sebben]

If the SL had the AF performance of the Sony A9 then I would be very happy! 

[johnbuckley]

Leica manufactures cameras and lenses in Europe. They are a relatively small company operating at the high end of the market. When we get impatient -- I am always impatient with Leica's speed to market -- it does well to remember just how small they are, how difficult it is to project what a run of SL lenses should be, how many Noctiluxes to manufacture, etc.

David Farkas did a wonderful job asking the very substantive and knowledgeable Dr. K his thoughts on Leica's direction. The single most interesting thing to me -- other than the hint, once again, of a different form factor for the SL -- was how badly they had underestimated the market for the Q. They expected 7500 to sell and sold 75,000. That type of unexpected market opportunity can throw the planning of even the best run German manufacturing process out the window as they try to keep up with demand. And of course the SL 2 is "late" -- they're churning out Q2s right now!

I'm frustrated that there isn't an M10 Monochrom, and it seems like the SL 2 should have out by now. But we always have to remember: small company. An S, SL, M, Q and CL system each with its own lenses, accessories, etc. Very hard to manage a high-end manufacturing process with virtually nonexistent fault tolerances while also responding to market developments.

We can be frustrated with Leica for being slow to get those lenses, long announced, out of the factory and into our hands. But if you really think about it, it's something of a miracle, a tiny European company thriving in this marketplace. And of course, the first miracle was Andreas Kaufmann and his family stepping in and financially supporting Leica when it had just made its first, fairly tentative steps into digital, and subsequently blowing our minds with such incredibly innovative cameras and lenses.

 

Edited July 16, 2019 by johnbuckley

[bags27]

As we write, Sony is announcing the A7rIV with 61 mps sensor and something like 240 mps shift mode and a world of bells and whistles. They are playing leapfrog with Nikon and Canon, turning out new versions every 18-24 months, because it's just technology stuffed into plastic. No thought of user interface.

[thighslapper]

 ........ and as Dr K points out I doubt if many lenses from other manufacturers can do 60mpx justice. 

Even at 24mpx the difference between the SL 75/2 and other lenses is obvious ..... and on a 47mpx SR1 the difference is frankly startling. If there ever was a time when investment in quality optics was necessary then it is certainly now .....

Edited July 17, 2019 by thighslapper

[Timkr]

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The new Sony kinda blows everything L away.  Wish I’d have held off getting the S1 and S1r.  Oops

[ynp]

2 hours ago, Timkr said:

The new Sony kinda blows everything L away.  Wish I’d have held off getting the S1 and S1r.  Oops

Interesting, what you are not satisfied with? Resolution, eye focus, optics, something else?

BTW , a serious question 

[rfunnell]

I'm waiting to see the SL2 and then compare .

[Timkr]

The afc is terrible compared to what I am used to with canon and even earlier Sony models.  I love the lenses though

 

[mgrayson3]

5 minutes ago, Timkr said:

The afc is terrible compared to what I am used to with canon and even earlier Sony models.  I love the lenses though

 

Why did you buy it, then? The strengths and weaknesses of the L system are well documented. I haven't tried the A9, but no mirrorless I have tried has tracked as well as my 14 year old Canon 1DsII.

Sell it all now, buy Sony, and try several lenses of each focal length to get a good one (harder with those tiny pixels, but doable). You'll be much happier.

[Timkr]

Thanks for the adcice