Malaysian Lenses

Hello,

I was looking for an ef 50mm f1.8 and noticed that almost every store is selling the versions which are made in Malaysia. Are these copies the same qualities with those from Japan? They cheaper compared to the ones from Japan. Has anyone tried using consumer canon lenses which were manufactured in Malaysia?

Thanks,
Randal

In today's global economy, the question is not where the lens is made, but whether it has passed Canon's QA controls and if Canon will stand behind the lens warranty.

If you drive North American or European car, it contains cheap parts made in Japan. If you use a computer built by IBM, HP, Dell etc., it contains cheap parts made in China. If you wear Italian fashion, it contains cheap fibers grown in India or Sri Lanka.

probably that's why they only manufacture lower end lenses in Malaysia and still make the high-end ones in Japan. But still makes you think twice, especially their price difference (about $20). why would the ones coming from malaysia would sell cheaper?

Just a thought.

Thanks,
Randal

Mine is marked "Lens made in Japan"

A lot of good stuff is made in Malaysia nowadays, especially in electronics. I work for Intel and spent several months at our factories there. However, beware of Malaysian copies of things like Rolex watches; they're junk. Genuine name-brand merchandise should be safe, though.

glasses and mechanics sourced outside japan.....

Simple.

Cheaper assembly labor cost.

That is the reason that Malaysia has become the manufacturing powerhouse that it is.

---Bob Gross---

Are you talking about the same lens? I mean are there different versions of the same 50mm f1.8 lens. One built in Japan and one built in Malaysia? If it is the same lens, model number I don't think there should be any difference in price.

It depends.

If the Japanese-built and Malaysian-built lenses are mixed together for worldwide distribution, then we would expect the price to be the same (even though one probably has a higher profit margin for Canon).

On the other hand, sometimes the large corporations will market the same product in different market locations, but it is built in Japan for one market and built in Malaysia for another market. Why would they do that? Because some markets have tougher standards for exceptance by consumers. Because some markets have more competition, so Canon might do some discount/promotion campaign in one market, and they can do that more effectively if they have a cheaper-cost product to begin with.

---Bob Gross---

I have a pair of Tag Heuer watches that i bought three years ago in Malaysia still running good.

cfcRebel wrote:
I have a pair of Tag Heuer watches that i bought three years ago in Malaysia still running good.

I don't know about those, but the fake Rolexes in Malaysia are infamous for only lasting a year or so. They're sold by street vendors for practically nothing. By the way, where in Malaysia were you? I usually go to Penang.

As bob said,some markets have tougher acceptance standards by consumers.
The japanese i notice prefer made in japan

Yup, same model, 50mm f1.8 II. But if you were to choose between the two, which one would you get? For me if its Canon, it should come from Japan.

Thanks.

do you know that probably your computer processor is being made somewhere in Asia also ?
the same PC that you use to read this thread contain more than half component "Made in ... (asia)"

pehabe wrote:
do you know that probably your computer processor is being made somewhere in Asia also ?
the same PC that you use to read this thread contain more than half component "Made in ... (asia)"

Infact, 90% of my PC is made in Asia, most of the chips in particular are "Made in the Philippines".

My real concern, if you would read the start of the thread, is if the lenses coming from Canon Malaysia has the same quality and reliability coming from Japan. I was hoping to get an answer from someone who had experiences with those lenses since most of consumer level lenses (which I, as a hobbeist use) which are being sold here are coming from Malaysia.

Thanks,
Randal