I know that Minolta contracted out some zoom lenses to Tokina, and perhaps others, in the 1980s. As I understand it, the lenses had Minolta's coatings,
What we have here is a case of a mere virtual distributor, with a activity focus on buying up once popular shareware and converting it to shrink-wrap sales. I have abandoned every piece of my software they touched (e.g. Winzip and Silkytouch) as I disliked the turn their products took after the takeover. I have no reason to believe that they are any better when they deal in hardware...
According to wikipedia 90% of the Leica M (240) is made in Portugal... so I don't see any problem in outsourcing or rebranding. The price difference hower is to big...
Lomoography pulls the same stunt. They are accepting pre-orders on the "New Russar+", a 20mm f5.6 in LTM.
And all for only $650!
That's crazy when Stephen still has a brand new (but discontinued) CV 21 f4 in LTM for $419 and that includes the viewfinder!
Even if you wanted the new native M mount 21 f4 and metal VF the total price is still less than the Russar+ and the Russar does not include the VF.
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