ELNikkor

OEM Nikon. That said, couldn't pass up a free Tamron 70-300 AF-D type from the '90's, made for film SLR's. Amazing photos of my son's soccer season, can't tell the difference between photos taken with the Tamron and my much newer Nikon 70-300 AF-S ED.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

Sigma and Nikon.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Like so many things we buy, the brand name on them may just be that... a licensed brand name. What's inside may be made by someone else, entirely.

Modern manufacturing is highly automated and refined to the point that one manufacturer can make products to virtually any specifications, for a range of different marketers. While there are still a lot of hands-on operations, the drudgery is mostly mechanized now. For instance, a few companies make most of the laptop computers and smartphones on the planet. Lens making has lots of partnerships.

When we buy lenses, they may have an OEM name on the front, but be assembled to OEM specifications in someone else's factory. In many instances, that is a good thing, because lens specialists with all the right equipment are likely to be better at simultaneous quality control and cost control.

The business model is often that a company will design, engineer, market, and sell a product that they contract to a completely different company to manufacture. That's usually because labor costs are too high on their home turf to stay competitive with other companies who are following that model. It's partly due to economies of scale. And it is partly because doing it themselves would be economically infeasible.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

The chart is interesting because it shows a lot of fluctuation. I wonder how the peaks and valleys line up with releases of new lenses and cameras.

As for me, in order by quantity:
Olympus
Nikon
Lensbaby
Panasonic
Rokinon
Laowa

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

Nikkor and Sigma Art lenses with my D850 and Nikkor Z (S-line) lenses with my Nikon Z cameras.

Hip Coyote

Didn’t get one.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Exactly why I like Sony, Canon, and Nikon lenses.
I know for a fact that Nikon manufactures it's own blanks. These blanks, made by Nikon, will become Nikon lenses used in their exclusive manufacturing process. These lenses are manufactured to work perfectly with Nikon camera's.
And, if your correct, I still believe IF Sony or Canon used others to produce their lenses, they would still be to a higher standard than third party glass.
Sony, who bought out Minolta manufacturing, make their own glass, I do not believe they out source to anyone else except for their repairs.
I am sure Canon either manufactures their own or if it is being done by someone else they are produced to exacting Canon standards which, in my opinion, is still better than third party manufacturing.
I will never use third party glass on any of my equipment, that is my personal choice. My images speak for themselves. I am sure others here have found that third party glass work great for them. And if that is the case I am happy for them.
Again, as for my, I ride with the brand. And if they are produced in Japan like my Sony 600 f4, then that is icing on the cake.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Don't be so sure that ALL the lenses (or all parts of them) are made by the name on the barrel. With all the ISO standards in the manufacturing world, it's possible to have someone else make a design to your specifications, reliably and consistently. Regardless of who manufactures an OEM lens, it is made to OEM specifications. An OEM may, or may not, make some or all of the parts.

Modern camera and lens manufacturing are collaborative efforts. It is highly doubtful that companies such as Leica would be around without forming substantial partnerships (design, manufacturing, and licensing agreements) with Panasonic and Sigma. Such relationships are good for all parties involved, as they learn from, and complement, each other.

I buy the OEM brand name lenses for my camera, too, but if a compatible optic I need is made only by someone else, I'll buy it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

OH, my Hasselblad lenses are made in a sweat shop in tin buck do. OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Ps, Tamron makes Nikon branded lenses.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I don't care where they are made, or who makes them. I care that they work as advertised.

Too often, we lose sight of what hardware is for. Are we going to keep talking about it, coveting it, idolizing it, seeking ever better hardware for bragging rights, or are we going to go out and be photographers?

It's seldom about what we have, but more often about what we do with it that counts.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Show me proof of that please.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

17-28mm f2.8.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Don't see any proof. Just another talking head post. I thought so.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Look it up.
Duh.