Re: [Leica] Hello to all!

["Tom Schofield" <tdschofield@email.msn.com>]

While I am not a metalurgical expert (if I even spelled it correctly), my
understanding is that the body top plate is a zinc alloy, which reportedly
is more dent resistant and gives a smoother, less grainy appearance to the
silver or black chrome, as compared to brass.  The Titanium used a brass top
plate for plating reasons, and the new black paint for aesthetic reasons.
The lenses require aluminum on one side of the focusing helical and brass on
the other to slide against each other easily -- something called
"self-lubricating."  Older lenses had brass on the outside, aluminum on the
inside threads, but they switched to aluminum on the outside purportedly to
reduce weight.  The new silver chrome lenses are made the old way, being
brass on the exterior, and so are much heavier than the black counterparts.

If I am mistaken, I will no doubt be corrected!

Tom Schofield

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Carson <poppie@fidalgo.net>
To: <leica-users-digest@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2000 5:21 PM
Subject: [Leica] Hello to all!


> Hi:  Because I am quite new to the Leica Users Group, I still have some
> funds left in my bank account although the money I have spent for toner
> and paper to print Leica Digests is taking its' toll and I'm running out
> fast!
>
> One manufacturing specification that I have not seen mentioned or
> discussed, and I would certainly think that it would be because (I
> believe) that it is closely related and germane to the subject of
> quality in Leica cameras and lenses, is the base metal used to produce
> the 'silver' finish products.  If the information that I have received
> from Jim Kuehl, an old Leica man,  in Des Moines is correct, the entire
> silver line of equipment is produced from electro-plated brass metal and
> the black products use anodized aluminum.  There is a considerable
> difference between the two materials with brass being by far the better
> selection for accuracy, durability, temperature stability, abrasion
> (read wear) resistance and finish, among other advantages.  The only
> thing the two metals have in common is that both are nonferrous.  Why
> isn't this subject ever addressed by the pundits?  I hope this message
> finds its' way into the Digest. I find that after wading thru 30 or 40
> pages of chatter, there are always a few gold nuggets remaining in the
> pan!  Regards,  Bill Carson
>
>
>