Taiwan_metro, yet again you contradict yourself. You complain that Zeiss doesnt make lenses in its own land and then claim you already know Nikon does the same?
"they do higher priced gears, that's why there is no Nikonet GIII 17" And what about the three Nikkorex models made by Chinon for Nikon at that time? Dont presume to lecture when you havent even got your facts correct.
Copakeham, you claim that Cosina bought the Zeiss logo to put on lenses? You and Taiwan_metro should get together as study partners to do some accurate research for a change.
You both should be reminded that the Nippon Kogaku KK was formed in 1917 starting with some 200 employees and 8 "German" optical engineers. The first cameras copied the German Contax mount and the Leica shutter design, and many of their famous rangeinder lenses like the 50mm f1.4 and 85f2 were also copies of Zeiss designs. You both seem to take it as a personal afront that Zeiss is offering lenses in F mount, when you should take it as a compliment that Zeiss recognises the strength of Nikons MF bodies. At last count I had 8 or so Nikon cameras and 15 Nikon lenses, but I dont believe that any one lens manufacturer makes the best lens in every focal length. Every lens maker has a lens of a particular focal legth that could be considered best in its class, sometimes it was Nikon, sometimes Olympus sometimes Zeiss, sometimes Leica. Personally in SLR lenses I find Nikon a bit weak in the 35mm focal length and the 50mm f1.4 AI bettered by a few different maufacturers. In fact its the old 50mm f2 thats their best 50 but few ever consider that lens. The Zeiss 50mm f1.4 and 21mm Biogons were considered best in their class. To deny that in some circumstances that Zeiss can surpass Nikon in some focal lengths is to bury your heads in Nikon sand.