Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/03/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I tend to regard Zeiss Ikon as a part of Zeiss, as all the components of the Foundation are today. This was certainly what Zeiss argued in their court case against Zeiss Jena. Zeiss agencies sometimes assembled lenses and made components (I didn't specify elements) in the country of sale. I have better knowledge of this practice for microscopy and technical products than for camera lenses. This practice dates back to the 19th century when B&L, Kraus and others made Anastigmats, sold under a variety of brands. Hensoldt was another company that Zeiss obtained some components from, but the CZ Foundation eventually bought them too. They even made a nice little RF camera at one stage, manufactured by ISO in Italy. To the present, I disagree that the ZM and ZF lenses look comparatively cheap; all modern lenses look cheap in comparison to Leitz lenses of the 1960s. My Leica 35/1.4 asph (the newest Leica lens I have) doesn't inspire me with mechanical confidence. The ZM 35/2 I borrowed certainly had a better feel to the focusing and aperture rings than my Leica. The third stops on the aperture ring were nice too. Marty Gallery: http://gallery.leica-users.org/main.php?g2_itemId=7617 -- Want an e-mail address like mine? Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com!