Next, it’s the job of the design team to breathe life into this initial concept.

Advanced simulation techniques determine how individual lens elements must be positioned to achieve desired levels of performance at a specified focal length and aperture.

The lens barrel must maintain perfect spacing and optical axis alignment of all lens elements used in the design. It must also be capable of repositioning those elements with extreme precision for focusing and zoom operations. The movement of all lens elements and groups has to be perfectly synchronized, demanding a mechanism that’s built to exceptionally fine tolerances.

Design of the autofocus system requires extremely accurate shifting of particular lens groups. While this is normally achieved via mechanical coupling from the camera body, some α lenses feature a built-in SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) focusing system for even more refined AF performance.

Production principally takes place at the Sony EMCS Corporation Minokamo TEC factory in Japan. It’s a total imaging product manufacturing facility that applies the highest technological standards to the production of α DSLR camera bodies and lenses.

Every lens for your Sony DSLR camera is made up of a large number of parts. Production starts with inspection of every separate component to ensure that it’s defect-free.

Slight errors in the shapes of protrusions and curves are detected by electronic measurements, and the circularity of mechanical lens barrel parts is tested to extremely fine tolerances.

A single interchangeable lens may contain anywhere from 5 to 19 individual lens elements arranged in groups. Every element is carefully inspected for minute dust, surface scratches or clouding. Elements are then assembled into the lens support rings and lens barrel, with exacting adjustment of optical alignment.