Canon Lenses Manufactured in Taiwan Vs. Japan
In comparing Canon lenses manufactured in Japan and Taiwan, buyers should remember first that the mother company is in Japan, and that the factory there has more experience producing lenses. Take a quick read through various photography message boards and you'll find a general preference for lenses made in Japan. However, mark this preference with caution, as most users of Canon lenses have recognized only minor differences between those made in Japan and those made in Taiwan.
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History
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Increased demand and competitive pressures to cut production costs prompted Canon to move some of its manufacturing to Taiwan. According to Fortune magazine archives, as of 1998 Canon had shifted 70 percent of its production to facilities in Taiwan.
Considerations
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Canon makes all the glass and most of the parts for its lenses in Japan. These components are then shipped overseas for assembly at Canon factories employing lower-priced labor. Appropriately, Japanese versions of certain lenses produced both in Taiwan and Japan are both more expensive and in shorter supply. One factor underlying most assumptions is that the Japanese factory and workers have more experience producing lenses and therefore produce higher quality lenses.
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Labeling
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Lenses manufactured in Japan are clearly labeled "MADE IN JAPAN" in bold white lettering on the front trim ring. Oddly enough, it is difficult to discern lenses manufactured in Taiwan, because photos on the packaging of these units do not clearly show the lens and the lettering "Made in Taiwan" is not distinctive, possibly as a means of avoiding customer discrimination.
Date of Manufacture
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Canon products manufactured in Taiwan often lack date coding, making it difficult to determine the age of the product, an issue of some importance if buying a used camera.
Availability
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Certain lenses are produced in both Taiwan and Japan, while others are not. For example, the EF-S 18-55mm I/II USM and the 18-55mm I/II are manufactured in Taiwan only; the EF-S 18-55 IS lenses are manufactured in Japan and Taiwan; and most EF 28-105mm MK II USM lenses are manufactured in Taiwan. For lenses produced in both Japan and Taiwan, the Japanese lenses are both rarer and more expensive, in some cases selling for twice as much as the Taiwanese versions. The majority of Canon lenses produced these days are made in Taiwan.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mike Rolph
Comments
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