Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/07

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Unreliable Leica or unreliable user ?
From: Dominique PELLISSIER <pelliss@droit-eco.univ-nancy2.fr>
Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 16:06:48 +0100

At 14:14 07/12/98 +0100, Alan wrote :
>Dominique,
>
>You are making a very radical statement. 
>
>I've never had the slightest problem with whatever Leica gear I've bought.
I therefore also have a hard time with the "horror stories" threads. But
then I've only stepped in a year ago and I have not purchased loads of
equipment.
>
>It is nevertheless difficult for me to imagine that all those LUG threads
only result from hypochondriac incompetent beginners, which is what you
seem to imply. Two out of the six LUG members I have met in person up to
now had similar horror stories to tell. And they are not hypochondriac
beginners, I can assure you.
>
>The independent technicians specialised in Leica equipement, the
importers, the reseller networks and Leica itself know the "truth"regarding
the so-called deterioration of QC at Solms. I wish some of them would speak
out on this matter, and put it in the right
>perspective. This FUD must be extremely damaging for Leica. Quality is a
strategic issue in the Leica niche market. If the great reputation that
maker enjoyed up to now should crumble, the consequences would be much
worse than all its marketing mistakes put together.
Both Leica and the worried users should be extra careful, honest and
precise in the way they express themselves on that issue. Some statement
should urgently be made at Solms on the current QC policies, procedures
and results.
>
>Friendly regards
>Alan
>Brussels-Belgium
>
>
>Dominique PELLISSIER wrote:
>> If I were Leica USA, I'd have chosen a tough line :
>> "We don't know if the camera has not dropped out of your hands (probably
>> the cause of the vertical disalignment). What is the 35 you've used on the
>> body ? An old one  or a new ? Etc.
>> You have wealthy people who buy a Porsche and who are true annoying persons
>> for the garage.
>> As a 911,a M6 is a special tool for specialists.
>> 
>> Dominique Pellissier
>
>
#########
OK, I agree I've went over the top. But :do you know which is the car
manufacturer the least rated for the quality of its service in France ?
Porsche. And the most rated : Mercedes.So I think there is a law of
increasing troubles for a company : a high cost photo gear, built as a
sport engine, causes irrational behaviour. People seem to believe that the
high level of price goes with reliability (and BTW with artistic talent
they believe to buy with).I don't think so necessarily.The RF of the M is a
very delicate system. My own experience shows that the vertical
disalignment is caused by a shock.And you have old lenses which cannot be
focused at infinity without a mechanical adjustment.

Dominique Pellissier