japanese v's taiwan built lenses???

i see the occasional comment asking where the lens was built (japan/taiwan). i am about to purchase three 'bang for buck' lenses, until i can save for some more decent glass.

canon 18-55mm IS
canon 55-250mm IS
canon 50 1.8

my questions;

-is there a difference in ocptics quality in the jap made v's the taiwan made lenses?
-is there a difference in AF, build quality or anything else i need be aware of?
....if yes....

-if so, how can i make sure i am buying a jap lense when buying from online store?

-is there a difference in price? not that it makes adifference with these lenses
-is there then a difference in jap/taiwan built cameras?

i am soon to buy a 7D, upgrading from my 350D.

thanks for your input.

--
Otis Drum
Cape York, Aust.

you cannot be sure unless you buy it in japan.

then all lens sold in japan - made in japan, unless that model does not make it anymore in japan, then you have taiwan.

If the factory meets the company's standards of production then there should be no difference in quality. It's still the old connotation of made in Japan is far superior. The parts might be made in Japan and shipped to Taiwan for assembly or all the parts are made in Taiwan and assembled there also. Most laptops are assembled and built in Taiwan with the manufacturer's specs.. HP, Dell, Asus, Gateway, etc. Made in Japan lenses and cameras has the markings visible while those made in Taiwan are not.

I believe all three of these lenses are made by Hoya or some other ODM outside of Japan. Its part of what makes them such good value for the money.

For the 50mm f/1.8 in particular, the gaussian optics are very forgiving with regard to build quality as the optics are a single unit that is locked down and moves as one. That is why it matters not that the focusing tube moves a little loosely.

No offense Otis, this is a stupid question. The short answer is that there is NO DIFFERENCE. I speak from experience, I bought a newly release 18-55mm IS from Amazon that is Japanese made. Later, I bought a Canon T1i/500d with 18-55mm IS kit lens ( made in Taiwan ). I cannot see any optical difference between the two.

What is more obvious is that my JPN 18-55mm IS lens - being used for 6 months - is showing sign of usage. There is a little scratch here and there, and the color of rubber ribs on the surface is duller compare to my new 18-55mm IS (TW) that came with my Canon T1i. Is my JPN 18-55mm IS inferior? NO? but cheaply made lens are just CHEAP - regardless if they are made in Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, or the USA.

Trying to argue which countries made the best of the CHEAP lens, is like going to a McDonald asking which of your burger is the healthiest . If you really want to eat healthy, don't eat at McDonald. Likewise, if you want quality, why are you buying these cheap Plastic lens?

otis drum said:

i see the occasional comment asking where the lens was built (japan/taiwan). i am about to purchase three 'bang for buck' lenses, until i can save for some more decent glass.

canon 18-55mm IS
canon 55-250mm IS
canon 50 1.8

my questions;

-is there a difference in ocptics quality in the jap made v's the taiwan made lenses?
-is there a difference in AF, build quality or anything else i need be aware of?
....if yes....

-if so, how can i make sure i am buying a jap lense when buying from online store?

-is there a difference in price? not that it makes adifference with these lenses
-is there then a difference in jap/taiwan built cameras?

i am soon to buy a 7D, upgrading from my 350D.

thanks for your input.

--
Otis Drum
Cape York, Aust.

Click to expand...

As a side note, I can remember when anything with a "Made In Japan" stamp was looked down on as being an inferior product.

007peter wrote:
No offense Otis, this is a stupid question.

non taken. i searched and couldn't find an answer. i asked and now i have some. thanks to all.

Likewise, if you want quality, why are you buying these cheap Plastic lens?

as i stated, i am buying these for there 'quality for cost' characteristics until i can save for better glass.

That was in the 60's and 70's. In the 80's Japan branding turned around and quality has really improved. Japan copied lots of American made products but they got so good at it they've improved upon it.

Canon makes their own lenses with their proprietary formulations and this way they have uniform quality. Expensive lenses requires more exotic formulations such as the 'L' lenses.

I have never been able to tell any difference. The Taiwanese are capable of producing outstanding products. Example: I'm a nationally certified golfclub builder and fitter. It's a little known fact that even the most expensive golfclub heads used by all the tour pros are manufactured in Taiwan. Most are USA designed, but built completely overseas.

Fred

All L lenses and flagship accessoiries are done in Japan

My 580EXII is made in Jap, my 420EXII made in Taiwan

It's a matter of making things abroad as cheaper cost of manufacturing

Well the standard should be the same and they all bear the same guarantee

otis drum said:

i see the occasional comment asking where the lens was built (japan/taiwan). i am about to purchase three 'bang for buck' lenses, until i can save for some more decent glass.

canon 18-55mm IS
canon 55-250mm IS
canon 50 1.8

my questions;

-is there a difference in ocptics quality in the jap made v's the taiwan made lenses?
-is there a difference in AF, build quality or anything else i need be aware of?
....if yes....

-if so, how can i make sure i am buying a jap lense when buying from online store?

-is there a difference in price? not that it makes adifference with these lenses
-is there then a difference in jap/taiwan built cameras?

i am soon to buy a 7D, upgrading from my 350D.

thanks for your input.

--
Otis Drum
Cape York, Aust.

Click to expand...

--
Vadim
http://www.vadimkrisyan.com

thanks for your replies everyone. you have given me the answers i needed,.

thanks

--
Otis Drum
Cape York, Aust.