How They Make Your Lenses
Wow. I have to say, after watching this, that I am surprised lenses do not cost even more than they do.
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by David, at 10:14 AM.
6 Comments:
See also the Canon Virtual Lens Plant, which covers all the stages of producing a 500mm f/4L IS.
This can't really still be done by hand - this must be outdated, right? I would think everything is automated these days?
I'm sure the video is outdated. They show an operator engraving the lettering on the lens barrel. The only lenses I've seen that are engraved like that are quite old. Check any modern Canon or Nikon lens you have in your collection, you'll see the letters are not engraved.
I presume that modern lenses use a computerized screenprinting technique to apply the lettering.
Also, consider this: in today's ultra-competitive market, who would want to give away their manufacturing trade secrets? I think it's fairly clear that this is old technology.
I don't think it's at all clear that this is outdated.
I just don't think that it is a $200 lens that is manufactured here. :)
I believe they are TV lenses, not your typical lens. Smaller runs, one assumes, so they could very well be mad like this. This show is filmed fairly recently and mostly in the Montreal area. Everything they show on it, I'm either amazed at how automated it is, or how un-automated. This is obviously one of the latter.
Old, new, motion or still camera is not what catches my eye... it is the thought of what happens if old John and Marsha are having a bad day due to a hangover! THe narrator said it took 6 weeks to make one lens? WOW!
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