The quality of German and Japanese-built equipment

[bob_salomon]

BTW, for reerence, the Technika III 45 was discontinued in 1956

and it was introduced in 1946 so the newest one is at least 45

years old and the oldest 55 years old. That is older then most of

the less expensive companies have been making cameras.

[armando_yslas]

Its nearly impossible to discuss "better than" without including a

discussion of the intended market and purpose for the items.

Arguably the "best" camera ever made was George Eastman's

Kodak because it helped create the industry that we all enjoy.

But, other cameras of that era could produce images with

greater quality e.g. large format. The "Kodak" was a response to

the marketplace and the result was a huge success.

Technological developments do not occur in vaccuums-they are

all attempts to respond to perceived demand-realistic or not and

whether they are watches or Tiger Tanks. There are people who

would think that a constant rate of blinker flashing and plated

seat frames are indicators of quality and there are those who

could care less about those features-who could be so

presumptious to suggest that either group was right or wrong?

The reality is that the market lace is big enough to accomodate

both of those groups and the automobile manufacturers are

building cars that appeal to them The same is true for cameras.

I love shooting with my Leicas and would not trade them in for

another brand of 35mm but at the same time I also know that I

have taken many great shots with Nikon and Canon equipment

as well. A mercedes benz might last 50 years while a chrysler

would be ancient after 5 years but they are both clearly built for

different markets. The only measure of whether one is "better"

than the other is if they serve their respective market they way it

was intended. Clearly, the Tiger Tank was a failure (great

machineing or not). The Ford or the Chrysler, built the way they

are built and priced they way they are make it possible for all

those who cannot afford to pay for the intrinsic engineering of the

mercedes to own a car. Put them side by side on the test track

and you will undoubtedly see a difference-but thats not the point.

Put a Leica Apo Asph Summmicron on a test bench and

measure it against a Minolta of the same focal length and you

will probable see a difference in quality -but when you consider

price points vs resolution and how the Minolta actually gets used

and by whom then the quality differences become irrelevant-

IMHO.