BebuLamar

Oh no I certainly hold on to my Nikon and use them gently as there are no more.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

I lived through Rollei deciding to move production from Germany to Singapore in the 1970's. Sadly, the Germans didn't think "enough" about the decision. Germans aren't familiar with high humidity and the problems that climate creates for high precision components in a complicated device. The Singapore cameras were rusting in the shutter curtains and shutter blades before the cameras left Singapore!

The problem? Bean counters and customers. Customers expect low prices for the technology provided/assumed. As costs in Japan rise, the bean counters begin to search for lower labor cost markets to make the merchandise. If the quality is maintained, the buyer benefits without (known) sacrifice. The loss is in the host country - lost jobs for experienced, talented line workers and tech staff.

Does it "scare" me from my Nikons? NO. Nikon has had some cameras and lenses made outside Japan for many years. There has been no 'genuine' roar about the decline of quality in Nikon items made outside Japan.

All companies and eventually all camera companies will make their merchandise outside of Japan. Birthrates in Japan are very low and declining. Older, experienced workers are at retirement age or retired. And they are largely irreplaceable.

And yes, "Canon", it will happen to your cameras and lenses, too. (I've also owned Canon and many other brands over the years - no problem over brand if the quality is there.)

So, CHG_CANON, you regularly try to "stir the pot" over issues like Canon vs. Nikon. Do you have any actual photographic equipment manufacturing, design, development or distribution experience? Or not? -

Go to sleep somewhere and stop trolling about things of no consequence! Or prove your career experience in your chosen topic of discussion. I can!

smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

For those predicting the demise of Nikon. If Nikon goes away so will Canon & Sony, probably everyone else except Intel and possibly Apple.

You can’t make sensors if you don’t have the foundry equipment to make them with. And they are a major equipment mfr.; the camera business will remain as its supports the foundry business [in the sense of look at the nifty chip made with our nifty process].

Note: what counts as nifty in the foundry business has nothing to do with the features of the chip.

BARRY COWAN

From Canon:
Canon established a presence in Asia in 1970 when Canon opened a manufacturing facility in Taiwan. Today, Asia has become an important sales & marketing and manufacturing base for Canon with 75,000 employees and operations in 10 countries and regions including China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

But I notice that Canon’s highest performance L series lenses are still made in Japan.

BebuLamar

Canon makes a lot of stuff outside Japan. Even the Canonet back in the old days were made in Taiwan. Lots of printers are made in Vietnam. But the majority of current EOS cameras are made in Japan if I am not mistaken.

Fiddlingbill Loc: Mass.

You are so right with your words. You know when you travel to new territories with no idea as to where you are going. You will get lost. Sometimes things should be left well enough alone. I do not know what was wrong with a dslr. More people I believe want to shoot with them. As they were better to use. I do not see what the big deal is with mirrorless. You know when you take a picture with a dslr. It becomes a mirrorless. But I guess the proof was in the pudding.

CO

Excellent assessment and insight into this topic.

Fiddlingbill Loc: Mass.

That would not be a bad idea. If they are well made. And durable. I would probably buy one. Although I would buy Taiwan items before I buy China. As I believe it is better made stuff.

Red Stop Sign Loc: Birkenhead, England

They like most companies have shifted making cameras oversea's, Money talks very loud in the Committee Room. I feel sorry for the Nikon Staff in Japan.

Fiddlingbill Loc: Mass.

You know many feel that Chinese made items are not of equal quality. And this is where the shame comes in. If things are made to specs. I would not think there would be a problem. If you look at the 85 1.8g is a very sharp aesthetically nice lens. What I would like to see, is more metal being used in current production lenses. I have always believed that is why the lenses from Japan, lasted longer. Specs, are specs. And as long as things are in quality control. There should not be a problem. But there are some on youtube that cause problems.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Thanks for reading it. I've seen this topic and the number of times it has been 'resurrected', this time by the site. But, he has been "Johnny one note" on this subject for quite some time, always seeming to try and get responses from fellow UHH members. - That's called 'trolling'.

Doesn't it seem like it's been more than long enough?

Red Stop Sign Loc: Birkenhead, England

There will NEVER be better Nikon Equipment than the ones made in Japan.

But the again most people did not like the "E Series" type of len's but look how good they turned out to be.

Note some equipment made in China will stand the test of time, But like many, I do believe that Nikon's made in Japan have a head start over the one's made elsewhere.

User ID

If there’s panic driven pricing I’ll get rid of mine. No remorse. A buck is a buck.

CO

Yes, That's correct.