-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Where is the DL4 made from? German or Japan
- Thread starter votran
- Start date
tele_player
Well-known member
DLux 4, all of them, are made in Japan, by Panasonic.
The "Lux" range of cameras are essentially rebadged Panasonic products, made in Japan.
The M series cameras are made in Germany by Jenoptik, sent to Leica 70% complete where Leica finish them off by hand.
I don't know who makes the S and X series cameras but Leica has no capability to make the electronics or the software so I guess they also arrive partially or fully assembled from Jenoptik.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendougan/
The M series cameras are made in Germany by Jenoptik, sent to Leica 70% complete where Leica finish them off by hand.
I don't know who makes the S and X series cameras but Leica has no capability to make the electronics or the software so I guess they also arrive partially or fully assembled from Jenoptik.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendougan/
Kung Pao Panda
Veteran Member
Yes, it's made in Japan by Panasonic. Send the DL4 back.
If you want "made Germany", get the Leica digital M's or Leica X1.
Like others here, I suffer from OCD. Other Camera Disorder.
If you want "made Germany", get the Leica digital M's or Leica X1.
--
Like others here, I suffer from OCD. Other Camera Disorder.
Day Hiker
Forum Pro
Despite being made in Japan, the D-Lux 4 is truly a first class camera and a good ambassador for Leica. It is worth keeping.
Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado
J
Jim Radcliffe
Guest
On the bottom of the camera... "Made in Japan"
--
Jim Radcliffe
http://www.boxedlight.com
http://www.oceona.com
The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear used to capture it.
Regarding M cameras: I heard from interview of S. Daniel (my understanding is) that electronics (i.e., system board made) by Jenoptik. But the main assembly (and probably some parts are made) in Portugal (moved from Germany for relatively lower labour cost). Then those are shipped back to HQ in Solms where they attach top plate electronics, RF, etc and do the final check ups.
Interview: http://vimeo.com/6344220
Interview: http://vimeo.com/6344220
If this is true it could be the reason for many Leica M owners reporting quality control issues, too many chefs. Imagine if Rolex outsourced production of their watches to Poland. Leica's aren't really Leica's anymore.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendougan/
Ross
Veteran Member
Leica has done it this way for quite a while. Most of the R models were made in Portugal with final assembly in Germany and the M7 followed this route. Leica now outsources many of the components, that it used to fabricate. Leica does control thae quality tightly, but electronics are new to the Leica game.
Panasonic made film Miniluxes in the 90s and did Vivitar. The first rebadged digital were fuji products.
Be careful about "many Leica M owners", because only a slice bother to visit or comment on forums and of the ones who do, the one who don't have problems don't say so.
--
Bob
brancaleone
Well-known member
What's the difference between a camera made in Japan by Japanese workers and a camera Mede in Germany by Eastern Europe workers?
Just curious!
Just curious!
Clancycoop
Forum Enthusiast
Last I heard, Japan turns out pretty decent cameras. They have a little market share to show for it. 
--
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncall/
Twitter:Clancycoop
--
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncall/
Twitter:Clancycoop
hayden
Forum Enthusiast
after reading all of the above,what i thought has become the facts. being a leica fan i purchased one of the latest leica MPs. the reason i did this, is that i beleaved there would be no more leica film cameras built by hand in germany with the care and attention that only germany can give. now i only hope my MP was not made in japan, canada or portugal i want a hand made camera that i can treasure
Hi hayden
Don't be disappointed. If you read various posts here and RFF by Leica experts they highly praise the build quality of Leica MP. As an astute/picky customer I always like to know where are the stuffs are made. Personally it wouldn't bother me if Leica would've mentioned that most things were made and assembled in Portugal as I don't really care so long the quality if top notch, and provided people working over there as well paid. Same applies for other stuffs I use.
Don't be disappointed. If you read various posts here and RFF by Leica experts they highly praise the build quality of Leica MP. As an astute/picky customer I always like to know where are the stuffs are made. Personally it wouldn't bother me if Leica would've mentioned that most things were made and assembled in Portugal as I don't really care so long the quality if top notch, and provided people working over there as well paid. Same applies for other stuffs I use.
Kung Pao Panda
Veteran Member
Being a Leica fan, if you purchased one of the latest Leica MP's what does the camera body have imprinted? Made in Germany?
I was told years ago, that Leica had a factory in Poland, and some of their cameras and lenses came were made there.
Please let us know, because I'm curious as well.
Like others here, I suffer from OCD. Other Camera Disorder.
I was told years ago, that Leica had a factory in Poland, and some of their cameras and lenses came were made there.
Please let us know, because I'm curious as well.
--
Like others here, I suffer from OCD. Other Camera Disorder.
Ross
Veteran Member
I have never heard of a Leica factory in Poland. I have read that the rangefinder units of M6TTL on are fabricated in Portugal and they may have the body shells to mount them. Portugal is involved in the sport optics lines and products that we don't know about...LOL....we aren't Leica's only customers...
There are some video tours os Solms around. Since 1954 and the M3, Leica has trimmed what they do in-house to control the costs/price of their products. With todays computer aided machinery, others can specialize at lower cost that DIY methods. Hand made cameras are things of the past. Hand assembled and adjusted by expert techs....yes
Ahhh...the romance fades and the treasures tarnish......but the pictures are still good....
--
Bob
Drofnad
Forum Enthusiast
Wow, I think that the problem isn't with Leica (or Japan or Portugal or ...) !
I recall someonElse was quite big on certain German superiority ...
tinternaut
Veteran Member
But fear not. After manufacture, it first goes to Germany where it is taken deep under a mountain where Oompa Loompas ensure the lens is a good copy (and toss any units that don't measure up), add a red dot, remove the grip, tweak the firmware and put it in a special Leica box.
The good news (irreverence aside), I believe, is that the Oompa Loompas also put a better warranty with better support into that special Leica box along with Capture One (instead of Silkypix that is bundled with the Panasonic version). Not a bad package if you can get it below the RRP.
--
Regards
J
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasonhindleuk
Blog: http://jasonhindle.wordpress.com
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_hindle
Gear in profile
The good news (irreverence aside), I believe, is that the Oompa Loompas also put a better warranty with better support into that special Leica box along with Capture One (instead of Silkypix that is bundled with the Panasonic version). Not a bad package if you can get it below the RRP.
--
Regards
J
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasonhindleuk
Blog: http://jasonhindle.wordpress.com
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_hindle
Gear in profile
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum