Originally posted by braver The guy here who doesn't want Chinese-made lenses made me laugh -- the Japanese companies are moving manufacturing to Vietnam because the Chinese labor prices are too much already! But since they do that, presumably they do it right. The discrepancy is that the product at hand is a luxury item, and such items need to carry the seal of all the right prejudices -- like the BMW's made in Germany, better with a German delivery. Here's the idea: Japanese lenses delivery! Pool the funds together, do a group buy, and have a tour of Japan at the same time. And perhaps Vietnam, too.
I'm one of the guys that won't buy a lens from China and only by stuff from China as a have to case. When you are doing your tour as you put it, try touring a Chinese factories in a town other than Beijing. Of course the government usually makes sure you would see the better facilities. Plus, China has no compunction about reverse engineer things and violating international patents. On top of all of that, QC is all over the map in China. Go shopping at Harbor Freight sometimes. Last but not least, there is a little thing that went down called Tiananmen Square. That doesn't even get into global economy and the environmental disaster.
For the record, your BMW comparison is idiotic. If you gave me one I'd sell it and get a Porche Cayenne. However, what's wrong with wanting Italian shows actually made in Italy, or French wine from France or a Swiss watch from Switzerland? On one last note, I don't see any problem in the chance for Vietnam or the Philippines getting a chance to improve their situation.