Bill_de Loc: US

I saw a video recently about some cameras "built" in China. They were actually assembled in China from modules 'built' who knows where. The assembly was relatively low skill.

Most cars are built this way today. One plant in S. Africa makes seats for at least 7 brands that we would consider foreign and domestic.

The level of onsite quality control by the end user is a most important responsibility these days, no matter what the product. I don't even look to see where cameras or lenses are made unless somebody asks.

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Robyn H Loc: MainLine PA

Are you referring to where the parts are manufactured of where the final product is assembled?
I prefer the products that are made in Japan. I have Nikkor lenses made in China and in Japan. I find the overall quality of the Japanese lenses to be better. I also have many Canon lenses made in Japan but none made elsewhere. I'm guessing that only the cheapest of Canon kit lenses are made somewhere other than Japan.

User ID

Germanic precision can actually be at the
expense of accuracy and/or reliability in
real world applications.

Examples:

Panzer vs Sherman tanks in desert environment

Compur vs Copal shutter escapements

Bulb sockets that fit GE but not Sylvania screw base

and acoarst your own Zeiss experiences :-(


`

BebuLamar

I would like a Kodak made in USA, A Fuji made in Japan and a Shen Hao made in China.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I would like a Hanzo Hattori sword made in Okinawa.

BebuLamar

So I don't buy the Apple Iphone made in China.

Bipod

Would you prefer to buy a car made in China or in Japan?
I can get you a great deal on a Chery, a Geely, or a Dongfeng!
What, you prefer a Honda or a Toyota? You capitalist!

China is a Third World Country with some industrialized big cities.
The PRC is still officially Marxist ("Marxism with Chinese
characteristics"--whatever that means). It is a one-party state:
the Chinese Communist Party, other parties are illegal.
China is an ally of the Russian Federation, with which just
completed massive joint military exercises.

As in Germany and Italy in the 1930s, government and industry
are closely linked. The People's Liberation Army is owner or
part-owner of many manufacturing companies. High officials
in the China Communist Party are major investors and directly
benfit from cheap labor. Independent labor unions are illegal.

By contrast, Japan is the world's most industrialized nation,
known for state-of-the-art quality control. It has the world's
highest literacy rate, and the world's most educated population.
It has the world's lowest rate of violent crime. Japan is a democracy
and a close ally of the USA. But manufacturing something
in Japan is expensive.

The only reason to manufacturer anything in China
is low cost. Labor is cheap, workplace safety lax, and
environmental protection non-existant. And--this really
stinks--abundant slave labor is available in prisons and
forced labor camps. Even some ordinary factories keep
workers locked inside.

There is a long history of camera production being moved
from Japan to China. I have seen this with my own eyes
In ever case, quality went down and never regained the
former level.

In some cases prices also came down, or didn't go up as
much as they would have. But does lower cost really
make up for lower quality?

Pentax has already moved some of its production back
to Japan, and Canon has announced that it plans to move
all camera production back to Japan by 2015.

Finally, I don't know if it matters to you, but China is
a totalitarian police state with a horrible record on human
rights and minorities--and its currently getting worse, not better.

The PRC goverment is run by Han Chinese, who dominate
the China Communist Party. They view ethnic minorities
as a threat. According to the UN, China has 1 million members
of the Uighur minority locked up in "internment camps". That
is in addition to the political prisoners in Laogai forced labor
camps.

Would you have bought a camera made by forced labor from
Dachau or Buchenwald?

karno Loc: Chico ,California

So you prefer Chinese built cameras aye lol,
Sounds like I hit a soft spot for you.
Maybe you should chill out, this was not a personal attack on you, just a general question to see how people feel and their experiences,
I think I know where you stand.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

For camera gear, I rely more on the company's reputation for quality than where it's built. I assume the manufacturer will find a supplier that will build the gear to their specs with appropriate process controls in place. With that said, I also check out the specs and reviews as even the better companies make either over priced or mediocre stuff that is best bought from a 3rd party.

Robyn H Loc: MainLine PA

Where did you find that outdated article?

Robyn H Loc: MainLine PA

Personally, I wouldn't buy an iPhone, and all iPhones are Apple, regardless of where it is made!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

China today builds many top of the line, top quality, tech products. If it comes from a brand you trust I wouldn't worry about it.

le boecere

"I would also rather my money went do Japan than China. "

karno Loc: Chico ,California

Agreed

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

China produces all levels of quality just like here in the states or any other country. It depends on the product and manufacturer.