Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"S London" <srlondon@yahoo.com> wrote: >Perhaps I'm missing something here, but I do not understand why the judicious use of plastics in manufacturing has been so thoroughly demonized by some members of the LUG. It is simply another material which a designer can choose to include in a product when its characteristics fit the need of the part better than other available choices (glass, wood, metal). Perhaps it depends on how long you hope to live and keep using your Leica! One problem with plastic is that we don't know how long it will last. In the 1950s and 1960s, we Leica users felt really good about vulcanite - it was a hard-wearing covering which kept on looking good after decades of use. However, our cameras have now lasted long enough that many are showing the 'crumbling vulcanite' disease. It's still relatively easy to find lens hoods for the lenses of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. These were made from metal so were fairly indestructable. What will be the chances of finding a plastic Noctilux lens hood in 2030 or even 2050 if the existing one breaks? This isn't an academic question - assuming I'm not "shoving up the daisies" by then, I still hope to be using my Noctilux in 2025. Given a bit of luck, I'll make past 2025, but I wonder if that plastic lens hood will? Regards, Doug Richardson