In this paper, I would like to discuss the transformation of the laboratory life of Japanese astronomers that happened in 1990s. Before that, the majority of Japanese optical astronomers believed that they should not be involved in the R&D of the observational instruments. Even so, young researchers who had impressed at the leading-edge observation technology　while studying in Europe and the United States tried to develop CCD cameras in the mid-1980s. Although their project group, not having enough knowledges, skills, and experiences on dealing with such devices, was barely able to get some images of astronomical objects, their handmade camera were off from practical use. However, their situation was drastically changed in 1990s. In order to build the 8-m Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea, support system for R&D was organized at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). At the same time, a number of scientists were transferred from other fields, such as high-energy physics and infrared astronomy to optical astronomy, to optical astronomy bringing their own style. R&D of instruments became an indispensable element of laboratory life of NAOJ astronomers. Their project team leaded the world in the practical realization of mosaic CCD camera in early 1990s. By comparing this successful R&D project with the effort in 1980s on the basis of interviews and written documents, I would like to shed light on the distinctive characteristics of the tradition of Japanese optical astronomers.