How the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 Lens is Made
A recent factory tour reveals some of the steps that Fujifilm takes to hand-assemble its huge XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens.
Johnnie Behiri from CineD recently visited Fujifilm’s Japanese lens manufacturing facility and was allowed to capture video that shows how the company hand-assembles the giant telephoto zoom lens.
Announced in May of 2022, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 lens is a behemoth of an optic that is designed to support, mainly, wildlife photographers. The company says that when combined with a camera like the X-H2S and its improved autofocus system, the two pieces of equipment are capable of delivering sharp, deep zoom in even challenging situations.
The facility for lens construction is, as expected, kept extremely clean. Before being allowed to enter the manufacturing area, Behiri has to don a full clean suit, including gloves, mask, head smock, and full exterior covering. While he doesn’t explain why, this level of covering is likely required to keep unwanted dust or hair from entering the manufacturing area, which could make its way into a lens assembly.
As explained — and shown — in the video above, the lens takes 480 parts to fully complete a single lens, including the 24 glass elements that are arranged into 17 groups. Thanks to the integration of three extra-low dispersion elements and four super extra low dispersion elements, Fujifilm says that the lens is able to deliver “an advanced level of image resolution edge to edge.”
While no particular section of a lens’ assembly is lingered on for long in the short four and a half minute video, the optical image stabilization system, wiring, casing, and testing and calibrating are all shown as major steps in the optic’s construction. Also of note are several times when employees visually inspect various aspects of the lens as it is coming to gether to, assumingly, assure that it comes together correctly.
“Seeing firsthand how a lens is made is always thrilling and the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR was no exception. The dedication and level of concentration these people have while assembling this 480 parts lens is nothing short of amazing,” Behiri writes.
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