I try to learn all I can
Aaah, that system. That system didn't prevent the Japanese to create the Katana, which I am told (I am not remotely an expert), was/is a sword that in it's characteristics was without peer in Germany, Spain , France or anywhere else in Europe, a sheer metallurgical marvel. Some Japanese exceptional blacksmith must have ignored the "system" there, you think???
Now that you bring that up, there was a show on cable just a week or so ago, about the samurai sword and how it is made; without going into the details of why it is better, even when a modern sword was made similarily as effective, in killing power anyway; it takes a life-time to be able to become a master Japanese samurai sword maker, and each "student" goes through decades of being trained to do it exactly as told.
There is no "new and improved" method.
There is an extra step, not used by European blacksmiths, that make it unique, and it must be done the same way EVERY time.
You do it the proper way, or you are out.
The expert blacksmith who tried to create a "modern" equivalent of the samurai sword, said without his modern equiptment, he could do nothing. He admitted he could not even read the color of metal which was/is a standard method still used by many US blacksmith to this day.
You cannot learn to read the color of metal by reading a book.
I always get like that when a complete country of people is deemed inapt or incapabeble of achiving something. I was under the impression the Japanese already made exceptional lenses (Fujinon, Hexanon) and I'm pretty sure so will the Chinese in 20 years time, given half the change.
This is because you have preconceived notions of what is being said.
I never said Japanese could not produce top line lenses, but there is no Japanese company, ( Canon has been and as far as I have recently read, still considered the top lenses maker in Japan,) that has instant respect, where excellance is expected, that one gets when one speaks of a Leica or Zeiss lens.(This is also the reason that when a lemon is produced by either, critics will cut it no slack)
Bobby
PS--Special order lenses from Nikon, I do not know if Canon has any, are as close to German style production as any Japanese company gets. Because they are special order, they most likely get the same attention that any German top lens would also get, and a price that is at least equal.
Zeiss also has special order lenses, but I imagine their prices are breath taking.