[LRflex] Re: Vario elmar F4: 70-210 - questions to trinklers

Good Mornin' Philippe!

You asked:

>I'm asking the same question as Douglas but for the above cited  Leitz 
>70/210 F 4 zoom produced Minolta.
>
>Here are some of the questions that have come across:
>
>a) Is the minolta zoom with the same values the same lens as the leitz 
>one - optically I mean - the "wrapping" is obviously different
>  
>
In theory, they are optically identical... but in reality,the Leitz 
versions are usually better. This is because of Leitz/Leica's stricter 
quality control.  Although these lenses (amongst others) were made in 
Japan by Minolta, Leica QC'd 'em in Germany.  One lens (sorry, can't 
remember which one) had something like a 70% rejection rate.  Others 
were re-worked by Leica, to bring them up to standards. This re-work was 
so extensive that Leica was legally allowed to change the inscription 
from "made in Japan" to "made in Germany"!  Thus, a really fine example 
of a Minolta lens *might* be as good as a Leica one.... the Leica 
version is dependably good.

I understand that it was this QC problem that led to the discontinuance 
of their technology transfer deal with Minolta.

>b) if so, is it possible to adapt the (cheaper) Minolta  zoom to the R?
>  
>
Possibly so. But the cost of the Minolta lens, plus the cost of parts 
and labour to make the change would equal more than the price of a used 
Leica version. (These are around, used, relatively inexpensively.)

>c) if not, what are the differences?
>  
>
The differences are in the mount and in the linkages to make the 
auto-diaphragm work, as well as the cams.

>d) if not, can the lenses that compose the Minolta  zoom be used to 
>maintain an ageing Leitz zoom - just in case.
>  
>
Most of the parts that would get major wear would be in the diaphragm 
linkages... so no.  Were a Leitz/Leica version to be damaged, it might 
be possible to use some internal parts from the Minolta version.  But I 
wouldn't count on it.

>Thanks in anticipation for your contributions.
>  
>
Sorry to "rain on your parade". ;-(

Cheers!

---
PS: FYI - to qualify as "made in Germany" (or made in just about 
anywhere else, for that matter), over 50% of the value of the product 
must be done in that country.  With Germany's higher labour rates 
(especially as compared to Japan in the 1970's) and with extensive 
re-working of a lens, you can see how the change from Made in Japan to 
Made in Germany would be legal.  Weird, but legal!

-- 
David Young,
Logan Lake, BC    
CANADA. 

Personal Web-site at: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt
Leica Reflex Forum web-page: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm

------
Unsubscribe or change to/from Digest Mode at:
    http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm
Archives are at:
    www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/

Other related posts: