[bcrdukes]

There are several major lens manufacturers:

1. Essilor
2. Nikon
3. Other (i.e. Made in Korea/China/ghetto no-name brand)

While I have extensively used Essilor, my sister much prefers Nikon (having worked in the optical industry for 4+ years.) I've used weird made in Korea branded lenses before and they are terrible, much like what Mr.HappySlip described it as. I went back to Essilor right after.

Locally, I believe there is only one distributor who carries the Essilor lenses which is that you are probably paying for.