The only way to get good comparisons is to take lenses that were once made in Japan, and now made in Thailand (I believe one example is the 85mm f1.8D), and compare them in a test to see if there is really any difference. Someone would have to get both copies of the lenses.

With lenses that were only ever manufactured in Thailand or China, there is no way of knowing if they would have been any better if made in Japan.

Usually the "made in" rules only count for the final place of assembly; the other components can be made anywhere else. So the scenario you describe is very much possible (although I consider it unlikely).

Not to start a flame war, but how much of the lens or camera needs to be built in Japan for the product to be labeled "Made in Japan"?

I know it's probably not the case, but what happens if most of the D3s was made in Thailand, and the whole unit was shipped to Japan to attach the battery door?

Okay guilty as charged, I was too lazy to make my own thread for the correct context of the same question.

I was not thinking of the quality differences between any lens made in Japan or any other country (I think of this as more of a FX made here DX made there type answer, both have good points and bad points). I was "thinking" after reading the title of this thread, humm how many of my lenses I wouldn't be able to get if I didn't already have them (okay everyone can stop laughing now the fire is out from me thinking too hard).

I did go ahead and order a 14-24 2.8 before prices went up. I will need this lens before the end of summer and not sure how long before it will become available again (if that even becomes a problem, maybe I am over cautious but hey I just needed a good reason to get it so I can tinker with it for a while).

I dont think I have seen anyone say they were not going to buy if from any certain place. I think it was just a discussion on where your lenses are from and if it makes a difference<<which many have said it does not. If you think the thread is ridiculous you dont really have to respond to it.

I think it is kind of interesting to know where some of the glass comes from (that is why I put my .02 on here) Not because it is better or worse then others just because it is interesting info to me.
Just because something is not interesting to you does not make it a ridiculous thread.

I dont think anyone was saying that writing on this thread was going to help japan also. It is cool that you have donated. I did to. I dont have alot of extra spending money but I think we all could give a little to help those who are really in need right now.
~Cheers

I agree with TaoTeJared. This thread is a very ridiculous. If you guys want to help Japan out then make a donation to a relief agency! Lenses and cameras made in Thailand and China are still NIKONS! If you don't buy them you are hurting Japan and Nikon!

@TaoTeJared that makes a little more sense.

I haven't done a full inventory, but I think all of my AI-S lenses are made in Japan. All of my "metal" lenses are too: AF Nikkor 18mm f/2.8D, AF DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D, AF Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D, and my old 80-200mm push pull f/2.8, are all made in Japan. Also, both of my "newish" zooms are made in Japan: the AF Nikkor 80-400mm, and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mmVR I.

I don't care where lenses are made nor do I see it making a difference.

A new thread of "seen delays directly related to the quake". Might be helpful to some. Thread was re-posted due to that.

It is in the Nikon Lenses section. It is about lenses.
I dont think it makes alot of difference where a lens is made like others have said and I also believe the recent tragedy has made more comments.

The post still has merit though.

@TaoTeJared - Why would it be closed due to irrelevance. Its a question about nikon glass.
~Cheers

I thought this got closed due to irrelevance.

Sad to say I don't think any lenses will be "made in Japan" for quite a while now. Situation in Japan gets worse with each passing day. Very tragic...

I'm 50% ...

Got a 35mm f2.8 and a 70-200 that is from Japan (FX) but all my DX gear is from Thailand.

Nikkor Lenses:
- 5 Made in Thailand (DX)
- 2 Made in Japan (FX)
Non-Nikon Lenses:
- 2 Made in Japan (FX)
Bodies:
- 3 DSLR Made in Thailand.(D40, D70s, D7K)
- 2 Film SLR Made in Japan (N5005, N8008s)

Wasn't going to post to this thread, but with a new combo I think I will.

4 of my 8 lenses are made in Japan
3 are made in Thailand
1 (50mm f/1.8D) made in China

1 camera body made in Japan (D700)
2 bodies made in Thailand (D70s, D7000)

Just got the D7000 yesterday and haven't shot it for anything real yet, just some test shots in the house getting it set up. With the 50mm on it it is small, light and sharp enough to shave with. I'm totally impressed.

While the build quality of the 50mm, does not match that of the f/2.8's, I didn't expect it to be. Actually, that isn't quite accurate, the build quality and craftsmanship is fantastic, the materials and design are just lower spec. That is to be expected with a 10-20x difference in price.

If it says Nikon (or Nikkor) that is good enough for me.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the 50mm 1.2. I'm sure that was made in Japan.

So 1 out of 4 lenses for me. And 1 body- the FM2. The D40 was made in Thailand.

Both Tokinas (11-16 and 100mm macro) made in Japan. 18-105 is made in Thailand and the 35 1.8 is made in China. Both cameras (D40 & D7k) made in Thailand.

I believe 3 out of my 4. (not counting any misc manual focus lenses)
14-24
24-70
70-200 VRII
50 1.4 AF-S

I am the proud owner of 2 Japanese lenses and 1 camera, I hope that all of my future ones will be Japanese as well....

I hate to beat a dead horse but in the recent events (natural disaster and the after effects) this post may become more relevant than when it was posted. I now will go look to see where my lenses came from.

I hope the situation is able to be controlled soon and the injured/loss of life will be as few as possible.

edit....
Humm found that 7 of my 8 lenses are made in japan (the 8th lenses started in japan but now made in china, and all this depends on if KW site is good for fact finding).

I do wonder about the 14-24 2.8, might order one now cause its in stock and will need to get this before summer, his site did not specifiy on this lenses but I would give it an 85% chance of being made in japan.

Frequently, manufacturing in a company's home country are able to "cherry pick" the higher priced, higher margin products that will come in which allows them to absorb the higher labor costs.

I have 2 Chinese, 4 Japanese lenses and the location of manufacture correlates purely to price, not quality.

5 of 6

Unless its a nikkor...

Jerl, you're a lens junkie!!!

For me, my lenses are made all over the place. Just counting my Nikon stuff (which accounts for most of it)

10-20/4-5.6 Japan
11-16 Japan
18-70 Thailand
28-80 AFD Thailand
24/2.8 pre-ai Japan
Tokina 28/2.8 Japan
Vivitar 28-105 Japan
50/1.8 AFD China
70-300 VR Japan
135 DC Japan

Seems like all of my third part lenses (some of which are not that good) are made in Japan and some of my good lenses are made in Thailand and China. What I take from this is that where something is made is not really an indication of quality.