Actually, I imagine they would need parts like filter rings, aperture
rings, and helicoids much more than elements. But then, the whole
process (at least here in the USA) is based on short-term concerns
anyway -- "how can we keep them quiet today, let tomorrow take care of
itself".
Olympus/Japan (being a relatively small manufacturer as these things
go...) has only so much factory space -- I've been told that, once
production is completed on a given model, the old molds/forms/etc. are
dumped to make room for new, profitable lines. It only makes sense,
when you think about it. And the cost of "tooling up" to run a few
parts would be obscene, even if someone was willing to warehouse the old
jigs and stuff.
But the really, really infuriating thing is to hear that Oly/America
decided to literally dump/destroy a dumpster-load of new parts for older
models when they moved to their new facility several months ago.
Several years ago, they at least sent out a list of parts they were
preparing to "de-list", offering us one last chance to buy before they
dumped them. I'm sure they made a bundle off that deal -- why they
didn't at least _try_ to sell what they could, and then perhaps find
someone to take the rest in one lot (hey, $5k-10k or so in the pocket is
better than having to _pay_ the dumpster company to haul them away!)
boggles the mind!
Bill Stanke wrote:
>
> Clint:
>
> It seems to me that parts (like a front lens element) would need to be
> replaced more than some other parts. Will they end up with a warehouse
> of front-elementless lenses?
>
> After a certain number of years the auto makers sell the tooling for the
> spare parts to third-party producers. Any chance that Olympus would
> sell their blueprints and tooling to someone? Or, was it all
> subcontracted out anyway?
>
> Bill Stanke
>
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