[photo-3d] Re: product lifespans (was different realists)

[CanterMike@xxxxxxx]

In the ongoing discussion, the following comment was made:

<< Overall it is remarkable that no substantial design
 changes were made in 25 years! >>

Product lifespans are getting shorter and shorter.  Minolta has finally 
ceased offering the X700, after only 16 years.  Even the highly respected
 Nikon F barely lasted that long (1958-1974), and it was a top rated 
"Professional" camera of its day (major selling point in early ads: 
nonrotating shutter speed dial).  Ceaseless "improvements" in Technology
 have created a market where anything more than a year old is obsolete.

Or is it that the market for the average camera is so saturated that the 
Marketing departments have taken over, forcing excitement (and sales) 
by promoting meaningless features that no one actually needs?  It seems 
that manufacturers offer features just because they CAN, rather than 
responding to market demands.  Like 1/10 stop displays on light meters...
show me a shutter or aperture that is consistent to 1/10 stop....

All hail the Realist, the VW Beetle of the camera world!


Mike Canter