Robots to Hand Polishing: 10 Facts From Canon's L Lens Factory

[Canon Rumors]

Canon has posted a great article with some facts you may not know about making Canon’s L lenses at the Utsunomiya factory in Japan.</p>
<p>Below are the facts covered in the article, and I’ll play spoiler on number 8…. it’s telephoto lenses like the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II.</p>
<ol>
<li>Japanese engineering is everywhere</li>
<li>Lens experts can hear faults</li>
<li>Lens polishing tools are made with diamonds</li>
<li>Aspherical lenses are made by melting glass</li>
<li>Sci-fi robots roam the factory</li>
<li>Lens polishing machines self-correct</li>
<li>Lens measurements are incredibly precise</li>
<li>The hardest lens to make is…</li>
<li>The innovation never ends</li>
<li>Canon lenses could (probably) cover half the world</li>
</ol>
<p>Number 2 is probably the most interesting fact that I didn’t know.</p>
<blockquote><p>While much of the lens manufacturing process is automated, expert craftsmen, called Takumi, play an important role in lens creation. Toshi Saito, one of Canon’s lens Takumis, brings over 25 years of experience, skill and even his senses to the role. “When the lens is touching the diamond plate I know what sound it should make, so when it’s slightly off, I can detect it with my hearing,” he says.</p></blockquote>
<p>You can read the full article <a href="https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/stories/l-series-lenses-facts/">over at Canon Europe</a>.</p>
<p><em>Thanks Justin</em></p>
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[Click]

Very interesting read.

Thanks for the link.

 

[keithcooper]

noise and 'feel'

Actually if you've ever hand made a telescope mirror (surprisingly common still) you quickly get a feel for how the glass for the mirror and the tool interact, and sound is part of this.

I suppose that with the drop in real prices of larger telescopes over recent years, less people do this (I tried it in the 70's) but it's a real sense of achievement to finally put the mirror in a telescope (even a small one) and look at something with it.

 

[josephandrews222]

Wonderful read.

So wonderful I read it twice.

Let's face it...if you're reading this website you already know what I know: the high quality and wide variety of Canon's lenses are really really hard to beat (it's why everyone has an opinion about the mount used in Canon's FF mirrorless, right?).

My current 'favorite' Canon EF lens is the 100-400 II; the link states it's a challenge to construct--thanks to Canon's technicians for a job well done...

 

[stevelee]

number 8…. it’s telephoto lenses like the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II.

I recently got that lens, and am convinced it is worth all the effort.

 

[NancyP]

Yes, I must say that the 100-400 II is shockingly good for a zoom.

 

[Talys]

Very cool, thanks for the share! #2 is definitely tg mo interesting.

Yes, I must say that the 100-400 II is shockingly good for a zoom.

The craftsmanship is spectacular. I think it is among the finest zoom lens ever made.

 

[masterpix]

The 100-400L was (for me) expensive, but worth every cent invested in it. Use is for animal pictures, close ups, insects pictures.. Amazing lens.

The only fault this lens has is... it's shortest focal length is 100.. sometimes it is just too close.

 

[Mr Bean]

Re: noise and 'feel'

Actually if you've ever hand made a telescope mirror (surprisingly common still) you quickly get a feel for how the glass for the mirror and the tool interact, and sound is part of this.

Indeed. Going back 30 years I used to make telescopes (reflectors) and there was a feel and sound of the polishing lap that you would tune into. Ah, yes, I'd forgotten about such things.....

 

[woodman411]

Canon invented image stabilisation. We use lens- rather than sensor-based image stabilisation for EOS DSLRs because to produce the clearest viewfinder image possible, you have to stabilise the glass.

That's news to me. I thought Canon avoids IBIS for reliability reasons (if stabilization fails on the lens, at least you still have a fully functioning body), I didn't know it affects IQ.

 

[gmon750]

Canon invented image stabilisation. We use lens- rather than sensor-based image stabilisation for EOS DSLRs because to produce the clearest viewfinder image possible, you have to stabilise the glass.

That's news to me. I thought Canon avoids IBIS for reliability reasons (if stabilization fails on the lens, at least you still have a fully functioning body), I didn't know it affects IQ.

It's very true. It's just amazing the amount of work and care that Canon puts into making its lenses. It's why I stick with their lenses.

Of course, the armchair lens-specialists will chime in and preach how Canon is doing it all wrong.

 

[Ah-Keong]

Thanks for the article!
Interesting read.

In Japan, the expert craftsman is called Takumi. In Germany, is it called Meiser?

 

[quiquae]

Canon invented image stabilisation. We use lens- rather than sensor-based image stabilisation for EOS DSLRs because to produce the clearest viewfinder image possible, you have to stabilise the glass.

That's news to me. I thought Canon avoids IBIS for reliability reasons (if stabilization fails on the lens, at least you still have a fully functioning body), I didn't know it affects IQ.

They’re talking about the image you see in the optical viewfinder. IBIS doesn’t let you stabilize the viewfinder image (or the AF sensor, for that matter) unless you are using live view or a mirrorless camera.

 

[woodman411]

Canon invented image stabilisation. We use lens- rather than sensor-based image stabilisation for EOS DSLRs because to produce the clearest viewfinder image possible, you have to stabilise the glass.

That's news to me. I thought Canon avoids IBIS for reliability reasons (if stabilization fails on the lens, at least you still have a fully functioning body), I didn't know it affects IQ.

They’re talking about the image you see in the optical viewfinder. IBIS doesn’t let you stabilize the viewfinder image (or the AF sensor, for that matter) unless you are using live view or a mirrorless camera.

I think you're right after re-reading that, thanks.