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On Wed, 6 Apr 2005, Lee Martin wrote:

> There is a fair bit of bullshit surrounding
> them..that they are copies of Leitz, Zeiss, based on technology stolen in
> WW11,  military issue, etc.,etc. . I don't know whether any of that is true,

Why bullshit?

Best Soviet optics (cameras, binoculars telescopes, including
one which was the largest in the world in 1960-s) was made by
LOMO (Leningrad Optico-Mechanical Union) which used German equipment
and technology.
As I understand, much of the equipment was brought from Germany as
a part of the war reparations. (I would not call this "stollen",
taking into account the devastation made by the Germans in the SU).
Many German experts were also hired
after the war to restore Soviet industry. (Yes, hired. Not "abducted".
The life and work conditions in the Soviet Union they were offered were
better than in the post-war Germany. After few years most of them
returned).

It is true, the quality of many Soviet-made items was inferior.
Especially of consumer products.
But not of all of them. They did their best in everything related
to "defense". This included optics.
I own a Zeiss 10x50 (probably from WWII period) and
a Soviet 8x40 produced by LOMO in 1960-s. I think they are of the same
quality. In fact the Soviet one is better (though less powerful) because
it uses the later technology in lens coating.

Alex.

   

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