Assembled in Vietnam

by Nhat

I sometimes get asked why I carry around a little Pentax dSLR as my personal camera.  The answer? It's because the Pentax lenses are assembled in my homeland, Vietnam. 

I was at Samys one day waiting for my rental gear order and wandered upstairs to kill time in the sales dept. There was a Pentax on the counter and I decided to play with it. Much to my own surprise I saw the "Assembled in Vietnam" label on the lens. "Holy shit", I thought. Being Vietnamese, I was excited. By weeks end, I picked up a tiny K100d with a 40mm 2.8 pancake lens.

It's big deal and exciting to see Vietnam developing. Remember Eddie Adams' and Nick Ut's photos? Now think SLR/lens factory and you'll realize how much change has occurred in just 30 years.

You have to remember that not too long ago in history, Vietnam was just producing rubber and rice as an economy and was under French imperial rule. My grandparents and parents lived under the French colonial flag. If you interested in that time in history, check out the 1992 French film "Indochine". The only good things that came out of imperialism is the alphabet (90%+ literacy rate nowadays), baguette bread (umm sandwiches) and the coffee (I want one now).

After the French were forced out in 1950's, all still wasn't calm because the country was then split into North and South Vietnam, and that led to the war that we all know (which led to a string of terrible Chuck Norris movies).

I know the current government is communist and my father was in the South Vietnamese Army and fought against them, but things have been getting better. For the first time in a long history, Vietnam has enjoyed a period of not being at war or fighting a revolution and that is a good thing because it leads to financial development. I know first came Nike and their gigantor sweatshop that made Air Jordans, but you have to start somewhere. In a odd round about way, that helped me because I ended working for Michael Jordan in '98.

But things have gotten better since. Now comes Pentax. I was reading that Pentax has built and SLR plant near where my father grew up in Hanoi.

So now I've added the Pentax factory to my list of todo's when I head back to Vietnam to visit my 92 year old grand uncle (my mom's uncle), who's a Franciscan Monk and wanted a laptop for his birthday.

On a gear note, the lenses are pretty sweet but the bodies are not as good. If Pentax ever gets back into the pro market and make solid stuff like their old 6x7 and 645 lineup, I'd get it. But until then, I am not letting go of my Canon 1D III. But I will keep the tiny K100d on my shoulder as a fun little personal camera and reminder of things getting better back home.

Comments

[Jessel]

always good to remember 'home' in the most interesting sort of ways-- later days

[Rastislav]

A very interesting read Nhat... indeed Vietnam has come a long way since the war. I can imagine how that must make you feel. I’m supposed to go to Vietnam next Summer 2010 for a three week vacation, that will turn into a photography trip :) much to my g/f dismay lol. I’ve always been fascinated by your country, there are many Vietnamese here in Montreal and I’ve made some great friends when I arrived here in 83. Back then all immigrants had to go to a special "reception" course to learn French and English. Anyways long story short, I met many Vietnamese and from other neighboring countries. It opened my eyes to a whole different world and culture... can’t forget to mention how amazing your food is also.

By the way, I’m going to Vegas sometime in April. If you’re ever around let me know.

Ciao!
Richard

[Nhat Nguyen]

Richard. Exciting to hear you'll be in Vietnam in Summer 2010. If I am there then, the we meet up halfway around the world. My family and I had to attend citizenship lessons here in the US to learn English and become citizens back in 1985. Vegas in April eh? Have you been Los Angeles yet? It's just a hour flight away or 4 hour drive.

[Blue]

The Pentax bodies aren't bad compared to equivalent priced competition. In fact, I have some upper end Canon bodies from the 90s that feel like plasti-junk compared to the K200d and K20d.