Camera Manufacturers Who Make Their Own Glass i.e. Lenses
Sep 30, 2017 00:36:03 #
Do any of the Big "6" Canon-Nikon-Olympus-Sony-Pentax-Fuji make their own glass i.e. manufacture, grind their glass & assemble their own lenses without going to independent outside manufacturers like Tamron, Tokina, Sigma, Konica etc? Many decades ago Canon, Minolta & Nikon use to make their own glass as far as I remember.
If you have any thoughts I would appreciate knowing any information that you may have on this subject. As it seems logical to a certain degree that their lenses should operate at a higher degree in quality and mechanical operability from a quality point of view as they have all the proprietary information on the cameras operating secrets. What do you all think ??
If you have any thoughts I would appreciate knowing any information that you may have on this subject. As it seems logical to a certain degree that their lenses should operate at a higher degree in quality and mechanical operability from a quality point of view as they have all the proprietary information on the cameras operating secrets. What do you all think ??
Sep 30, 2017 01:06:23 #
Canon makes Canon lenses. There are videos available that show the process from mixing the various ingredients to make the actual glass to the assembly of the finished lens. Canon designs and manufacturers the electronic components in their lenses, components such as focusing motors, micro processors and image stabilization circuitry.
Nikkor lenses are made by Nikon. Unlike Canon, Nikon does farm out some lens manufacturing but all their high end DX, FX and PRO grade Nikkor lenses are built by Nikon.
Early Canon cameras used lenses made by Nikon.
Sigma makes lenses for Sigma cameras and lenses that are compatible with Canon and Nikon bodies and others.
Part of the reason Canon lenses generally focus faster than Sigma or Tamron is the proprietary firmware Canon uses to operate their EOS camera and lens systems.
Nikkor lenses are made by Nikon. Unlike Canon, Nikon does farm out some lens manufacturing but all their high end DX, FX and PRO grade Nikkor lenses are built by Nikon.
Early Canon cameras used lenses made by Nikon.
Sigma makes lenses for Sigma cameras and lenses that are compatible with Canon and Nikon bodies and others.
Part of the reason Canon lenses generally focus faster than Sigma or Tamron is the proprietary firmware Canon uses to operate their EOS camera and lens systems.
Sep 30, 2017 05:23:32 #
JDspartan48 wrote:
Do any of the Big "6" Canon-Nikon-Olympu... (show quote)
Nikon does.
https://petapixel.com/2013/02/04/a-look-at-how-nikons-nikkor-lenses-are-made-from-start-to-finish/
Sep 30, 2017 09:21:48 #
CyberDave
Loc: Pennsylvania
Thanks, Jerry!~great link!!!!
I've always had a fascination for "running the rabbit back to the hole"!:> I suppose when you 'see and consider' what it takes'> to capture the images-(as we see them)...well then~"three cheers for the lens makers"!!!
Warmest regards~ CyberDave
I've always had a fascination for "running the rabbit back to the hole"!:> I suppose when you 'see and consider' what it takes'> to capture the images-(as we see them)...well then~"three cheers for the lens makers"!!!
Warmest regards~ CyberDave
Sep 30, 2017 10:36:19 #
JDspartan48 wrote:
Do any of the Big "6" Canon-Nikon-Olympu... (show quote)
This may give you an idea about Canon: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBOsTVfpdA
You tube probably has similar information about other vendors.
A camera vendor typically needs a fair sized business to make the investment required for end to end lens development. Sigma, Tamron et al can spread their costs across multiple vendors.
Sep 30, 2017 12:04:47 #
Peterff wrote:
This may give you an idea about Canon: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBOsTVfpdA
You tube probably has similar information about other vendors.
A camera vendor typically needs a fair sized business to make the investment required for end to end lens development. Sigma, Tamron et al can spread their costs across multiple vendors.
You tube probably has similar information about other vendors.
A camera vendor typically needs a fair sized business to make the investment required for end to end lens development. Sigma, Tamron et al can spread their costs across multiple vendors.
Here's something for Nikon: http://petapixel.com/2013/02/04/a-look-at-how-nikons-nikkor-lenses-are-made-from-start-to-finish/
Sep 30, 2017 15:51:28 #
Peterff wrote:
This may give you an idea about Canon: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBOsTVfpdA
Peterff wrote:
Here's something for Nikon: http://petapixel.com/2013/02/04/a-look-at-how-nikons-nikkor-lenses-are-made-from-start-to-finish/
I'm surprised they would release video like this. I guess their control over the video process allows them to protect secrets.
Sep 30, 2017 17:07:05 #
rehess wrote:
I'm surprised they would release video like this. I guess their control over the video process allows them to protect secrets.
These are clearly marketing videos demonstrating their capability - "we can do this"! It's all interesting stuff, and not too many secrets, other than "we can do this, you can't!"
Sep 30, 2017 18:47:27 #
Peterff wrote:
Here's something for Nikon: http://petapixel.com/2013/02/04/a-look-at-how-nikons-nikkor-lenses-are-made-from-start-to-finish/
Suspiciously similar to Jerry The Linkmaster's post a few before yours:
jerryc41 wrote:
Sep 30, 2017 18:49:35 #
True, apologies for that, I didn't see Jerry's post, but having posted something about Canon I thought I would try to add a little vendor balance...
Sep 30, 2017 19:02:03 #
Canon and Nikon make lenses for much more then cameras. They are also heavily into industrial, medical, and scientific optical equipment, not to mention binoculars. I have a 30 yr old pair of Nikon 10x50 binoculars that are still excellent and a brand new Canon 12x36 stabilized pair that are absolutely awesome. Stabilization really changes the game with binoculars.
Sep 30, 2017 19:19:34 #
JDspartan48 wrote:
Do any of the Big "6" Canon-Nikon-Olympu... (show quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKNFW0YwDYw
Here's another of Canon processing for lenses!
SS
Sep 30, 2017 19:35:15 #
Peterff wrote:
True, apologies for that, I didn't see Jerry's post, but having posted something about Canon I thought I would try to add a little vendor balance...
No worries, and thanks for the balance.
On that note, I checked out Fuji/Fujinon/Fuji Optical and, according to the article below, looks like they do make their own but have a few subsidiaries (their own?) doing sub-assembly, polishing, etc in other countries.
Interesting article on THE VERGE HERE states:
"As far as lenses go, Fujifilm says its optics subsidiary is the only company in its field that turns raw materials all the way into finished product. Fujifilm Optics Co. has three other factories in Japan to deal with glass molds, barrel processing, and lens polishing, along with two in China and the Philippines that handle polishing for other lenses and two in China for subassembly."
Fuji not only did/does large format lenses (as did Nikon), but also did/does medium format cameras and lenses for both film and digital....and, least we forget, makes film and processing/printing equipment.
Oct 1, 2017 06:25:38 #
JDspartan48 wrote:
Do any of the Big "6" Canon-Nikon-Olympu... (show quote)
All of Nikon's upper end (non-entry level) lenses are designed and manufactured by Nikon. Most of their others are too. Nikon has designed and produce (what many call) the best lens manufacturing software available and many other camera manufacturers (and industries) use it to make lenses for their own products. I sure Canon and several others make their own lenses and many use the Nikon software for design and control of the milling/grinding machines.
Oct 1, 2017 06:46:16 #
CyberDave
Loc: Pennsylvania
Wow!!!~great link...a real 'gold-nugget'!:>
Thanks and warmest regards~CyberDave
Thanks and warmest regards~CyberDave
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