01-25-2012, 06:44 AM
[quote name='jpmfc46' timestamp='1327469607' post='15209']
I presume that lens maufacturers have at least the same facilities to test a lens as reviewers have. Then why do they release for sale lenses that they know are not as good as they should be knowing that they will get bad reviews for them? I can understand (almost)when it's a cheap lens to manufacture, but when it's about their top lenses it's a bit of a mistery!
[/quote]
Business. They know that -say- 20% of their manufactured lenses are actually substandard. They know also that most consumers will not notice manufacturing defects so only a -say- fourth of the lenses will be send to service. It is a simple optimization model to balance QC and service costs + customer satisfaction effects.
However, frankly, it is not their fault. Consumers demand ever more extreme designs at very low prices. Just compare lenses made in the 70s to today's standard. Most lenses were made of metal with smooth controls ... and all with a QC sticker of them. The lenses were substantially more expensive compared to the salaries at the time. Obviously the manufacturers discovered that they can sell substantially more lenses made of cheap plastic and lesser standards. Because "we" want it that way.
I presume that lens maufacturers have at least the same facilities to test a lens as reviewers have. Then why do they release for sale lenses that they know are not as good as they should be knowing that they will get bad reviews for them? I can understand (almost)when it's a cheap lens to manufacture, but when it's about their top lenses it's a bit of a mistery!
[/quote]
Business. They know that -say- 20% of their manufactured lenses are actually substandard. They know also that most consumers will not notice manufacturing defects so only a -say- fourth of the lenses will be send to service. It is a simple optimization model to balance QC and service costs + customer satisfaction effects.
However, frankly, it is not their fault. Consumers demand ever more extreme designs at very low prices. Just compare lenses made in the 70s to today's standard. Most lenses were made of metal with smooth controls ... and all with a QC sticker of them. The lenses were substantially more expensive compared to the salaries at the time. Obviously the manufacturers discovered that they can sell substantially more lenses made of cheap plastic and lesser standards. Because "we" want it that way.