Since almost all products these days have inventory bar codes, the record keeping is pretty much automatic, and they don't have to refer to some hand compiled list of parts and serial numbers, to be sure the correct s/n gets placed on the invoice, along with the proper item identification.
That makes it harder to ferret out shipping sequence, hence history.
Just a thought.
keith whaley
Joseph Tainter wrote:
First, some history. I placed a standing order for the DA 16-45 on Adorama's web site, and in early February I got one of the first in this hemisphere -- s/n 5184028. (I think I got number 28 in the world.)
At the same time I placed an order on Adorama's web site for two more DA 16-45s(for two *ist Ds at my lab). Adorama shipped one in early March -- s/n 5184509. Since demand has exceeded supply, I figured that once the distribution center in Manila ships some to Adorama, Adorama then goes to the end of the line. Everyone else in the world gets their order filled (or partly filled) before Adorama gets any more. From that reasoning and the serial numbers I inferred that production was running at about 500 per month.
Adorama has just shipped the second one ordered for my lab -- s/n 5184770. That's 261 lenses shipped in a little over two weeks. This seems to confirm that production has been about 500 lenses a month. It appears also that production is catching up with demand.
Joe
(Purveyor of obscure and unnecessary information to the photographic world)
