[RioRico]

Just to stir things up a bit, I thought I'd ask: WHERE HAVE THE BEST LENSES COME FROM? It was going to be, WHICH FIRM HAS MADE THE BEST LENSES? but there are too many to poll for. So this poll is by country.

I do not ask, WHO MAKES THE BEST LENSES? but rather, WHO HAS MADE THE BEST LENSES? So historical perspective can be important. I also don't define 'best' -- YOU get to decide about speed, image quality, production quality control, specialized uses etc. Are the best lenses in spy satellites? Phone cams? Lighthouses? Where?

EDIT: Oops, I left off Korea. Sorry, Samyang.

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Last edited by RioRico; 03-18-2011 at 06:40 AM.

[Eagle_Friends]

it's actually just Vietnam, not VietNam...

Any who, I'll go with Germany.

[eddie1960]

I have to go with Germany as well.

[Frogfish]

A two horse race already ... others didn't get out of the stalls it seems

[reeftool]

I think you can find examples wonderful lenses made everywhere. Most of best lenses come from Germany and Japan because they have the largest volume and have been in the game the longest. There are also a long list of dogs from Japan and Germany for the same reason. We tend to dismiss lenses sometimes based on where they are made. That shouldn't happen but it does. 30 years ago, East German lenses sold on Practicas were considered low end but today, they bring top dollar on Ebay because they are "classic German". Times change. 30 years ago, products from Japan were "Jap Crap". Now, the reverse is true.

[RioRico]

Just a reminder: The poll isn't limited to consumer camera lenses. Think big.

[gofour3]

I’d have to go with Germany, then Japan.

Also don’t forget the Leica stuff that was made in Canada!!

Phil.

[eddie1960]

I’d have to go with Germany, then Japan.

Also don’t forget the Leica stuff that was made in Canada!!

Phil.

yep the canadian 50 from leica is a severely undervalued lens (good thing too as not much from leica is affordable, a canadian made m4 with the 50 is as close to affordable and new as they would get for me

[minahasa]

The Russian/USSR made pretty good lenses, considering their almost-a-penny price today (well yes, not all). Be it they 'stole' some blueprints (and some raw materials as well), but they did quite well on putting things up.

[eddie1960]

The Russian/USSR made pretty good lenses, considering their almost-a-penny price today (well yes, not all). Be it they 'stole' some blueprints (and some raw materials as well), but they did quite well on putting things up.

one of my favourite lenses is my 35 biogon knockoff for my rangefinder which is a stolen design
but i couldn't say they made the best because QC is so bad. compared to a real biogon mine is sloppy feeling, bu then it cost less than a tenth of the price

[Nesster]

The way it's stated, it has to be Germany still, from a photography standpoint. USA when 'thinking big' comes up fast, especially pre-mid-30s, and even later the Ektars and the US Goerzes and the like, and the satellites and the telescopes, heck even the Hubbel.

[minahasa]

.. less than a tenth of the price

..if you like that 'sloppy' lens, it gives good results, yes? If a lens gives a great results, while also costing a fortune, that is, for me, not a 'best' glass. But, a few bucks glass that looks like it could fall apart any time, yet still delivers stunning images, now that's some glass

[kbrede]

I think test pictures should be provided to support your choice.

[Pentaxor]

to each his own. basically anywhere from Germany, Japan, Canada, Russia would be good. although I don't think that Russia would count since I would think that their lenses are knock-off German design lenses.

[keithlester]

IMO, a silly question, how can an ordinary Joe possibly be in a position to judge the answer to that? YMMV