Collin wrote: Given how technology changes and how fabrication needs would seem to require some consistency ... I wonder how many of these were made all in one batch with the expectation that they'd be sold over time. Perhaps make 500 (in whole or parts awaiting later assembly) knowing that the stock will last 15 years. Seems practical.
REPLY: Early on they may have manufactured the A lenses in batches. However, the last decade or so they have been hand-built from a depleting parts bin on order. Of course they may have been some stock left of assembled lenses but this is the general picture. Even the current lenses, like the super telephotos, are made on order. In Japan theres is one month waiting time if you order, say, an FA* 600/4. They make it for you on order. They may not even have parts for it but let the subcontractors deliver the parts on order. Modern camera manufacturing is pretty much like car manufacturing. The subcontractors delivers the parts when they are needed - as close as possible to the date the equipment is being assembled. Eg. every major part assembly (the circuitry board, the chassis, the prism, the housing etc) on my old 645N have a manufacturing date printed on it. They are all within 2 weeks of each other. In fact, only one part are two weeks off. The rest is within three days. P�l
