As crisis in Japan continues, affecting the photo industry supply chain, a more personal tragedy hits Nikon.
I almost feel guilty writing this.
With a humanitarian crisis caused by the earthquake and tsunami, hundreds of thousands homeless, and the cloud of a nuclear crisis overshadowing the recovery, it seems almost insignificant to discuss the woes of the photo industry in its wake. With whole cities destroyed and the death count expected to exceed 10,000, the industry as a whole escaped relatively unscathed.
But since the purpose of this blog is to talk about photography, and as camera companies continue their damage assessments, I must report on the ongoing crisis in Japan, and how it may affect photographers. First, however, I must report some tragic news.
A death at Nikon
Nikon yesterday reported that one employee has died and three more are missing as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. The deceased worked at the Sendai Nikon plant, and the missing employees were in the area of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture. My condolences to Nikon, the families of the deceased, and along with the rest of the world, I pray that the missing will turn up alive and safe.
Ripple Effect
The damage to factories that produce cameras or parts that are shipped elsewhere to be assembled is turning out to be greater than expected, and a ripple effect will inevitably be felt in the photo gear supply chain.
According to the Wall Street Journal, consumers can expect slowdowns in availability of consumer electronics, cameras and cars in the near future. New camera announcements and availability may be delayed.
In addition to the fatality and missing employees, Nikon is working to repair four damaged factories. However, many of Nikon Cameras and lenses are produced in Thailand, so supplies of Nikon gear should not be significantly affected.
Sony in particular suffered a lot of damage to its facilities that make sensors that can be found in top-line Nikon and Pentax cameras. The company has suspended operations at five plants in central and southern Japan where digital cameras, camcorders, LCDs and other items are made. Sony says it may shift production of some products and parts overseas temporarily.
In addition to direct damage, some Japan-based semiconductor manufacturers have had to halt production due to rolling blackouts, impassable roads, and limited fuel supplies. SanDisk, for instance, makes 35 percent of NAND flash memory, and while the SandDisk-Toshiba joint NAND facility wasn't seriously damaged, its production has been interrupted. This will affect the supply chain for computers, electronics and digital camera parts.
Among other companies, Canon has suspended camera production in Japan until at least the end of this week due to shortages of parts. Panasonic's digital camera facility in Sendai continues to be closed, with no word on when it will reopen. In Iwate prefecture, a factory that makes chips used in image sensors is shut for the indefinite future.
Keeping it in Perspective
So, if you have your heart set on the latest new Japan-made camera, be patient, and keep things in perspective. I am thankful that my family and I are safe, have our home, and our shelves are stocked with food. Remember, there are hundreds of thousands huddling in the cold and dark in Northern Japan, waiting for relief. The inconvenience of not being able to buy a new camera or lens in a timely manner is trivial by comparison.
And if you feel so moved, I encourage you to give generously to the American Red Cross or any other organization that is providing aid to those in desparate need in Japan.
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