The Utsunomiya lens factory in Japan is where all Canon L-series lenses are produced.

Sci-fi style robots, fault-hearing engineers, anti-static shoes – Canon’s Utsunomiya lens factory is a hotbed of innovation and precision. Canon’s L-series lenses are known around the world for their professional-quality build and sharp results, but to produce such outstanding lenses requires impressive levels of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a few surprising practices.

Canon Europe posted a short and neat article with 10 (supposedly) unknown facts about Canon’s L lenses, and the Utsunomiya factory. These are:

• Japanese engineering is everywhere
• Lens experts can hear faults
• Lens polishing tools are made with diamonds
• Aspherical lenses are made by melting glass
• Sci-fi robots roam the factory
• Lens polishing machines self-correct
• Lens measurements are incredibly precise
• The hardest lens to make is…
• The innovation never ends
• Canon lenses could (probably) cover half the world

If you want to know more about the facts listed above (every point comes with text and pictures) and the Utsunomiya factory, I encourage you to head over to Canon Europe.