Now this is an interesting tidbit

[jaapv]

It is rumoured (well, a bit more than a rumour, considering my Deep Throat) that Leica had to order their IR filters from Japan, firstly because of the cost and secondly since the German manufacturers only have enough of the special glass needed to fill their own backorders.

[Topdog1]

Why is that interesting? A German vs. Japanese thing?

/Ira

[jaapv]

Because there has been a lot of speculation whether the filters would be made by and identical to B&W or Heliopan, especially regarding cut-off spectrum, multicoating and flare.

[Sailor Ted]

Jaapv,
Will this be a lower cost "cheaper" filter as I suspect?

Ted

[jaapv]

Jaapv,
Will this be a lower cost "cheaper" filter as I suspect?

Ted

Yes - but the glass is supposed to be made for Leica under Solms QC

[Sailor Ted]

It's the coatings I am most worried about (or looking forward to depending)

[Topdog1]

Oh no, Mr. Bill. We're going to take that fine German glass and put some crappy Japanese filter in front of it? :eek: What is the world coming to? :confused: M8 users of the world unite! :D

/Ira
(Just kidding, in case you couldn't tell)

[herbkell@shaw.c]

Yes - but the glass is supposed to be made for Leica under Solms QC

Now this bit of news really worries me. Solms QC has not (IMHO) been anything to brag about lately.

Based on the litany of issues with the M8 I'll take Japanese QC anyday.....

[Grober]

Who cares where the glass is made? If Leica puts its logo on it, it'll be fine.

Some decades ago, a friend visited the Leica plant in Canada and saw boxes with the label, Hoya, scattered around the place.

-g

[jaapv]

[/U]

Now this bit of news really worries me. Solms QC has not (IMHO) been anything to brag about lately.

Based on the litany of issues with the M8 I'll take Japanese QC anyday.....
So this should be the best of two worlds....

[John Camp]

Wouldn't mind getting a couple of nice Nikon filters...

JC

[herbkell@shaw.c]

So this should be the best of two worlds....

Nope don't agree with that one

Leica adding to Japanese quality control is wishful thinking based on their recent debacles
(yes I do own an M8 - that came with the well known issues and a few extra for good measure)

[Sailor Ted]

So long as the company Leica choose to make the filters exhibits the kind of QC Leica would like to see in a best-case scenario ALLREADY then the filters will be fine. But if they are expecting to baby sit the QC in order to "elevate" the overall product then this will be a disappointment.