new body materials

Is this the future for the new bodies, seems as if metal bodies will be a thing of the past.  I am surprised its taken so long to catch on with high end cameras, maybe demographics of the buying public not accepting new things?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the ... /?hpid=z16

Don't forget the rust factor.  

There is a reason the USAF has its aircraft graveyard in AZ.  Here in the Northeast, you can forget about hanging onto a a vehicle for many years…..even if you love it and are good and willing with mechanics.  The rust completely destroys your vehicle.  

I tell you now that I am very fed up with it.  It is one major reason why I refuse to stay in Maine winters for the rest of my life.  No way!  At the least, manufacturers could have started building with stainless steel frames……many years ago.  Plastic body?…..Bring it on!!!!   That is….as long as the stuff is recycled.

I would love to see a vehicle that does not rust.  Even at a higher purchase price, I will find a way to buy it.   I need such a pick up truck.  Let's see it.

And you know that it is the future of camera bodies.  

Nikon is using carbon fiber in some bodies now. The D750 is one example. The front body and front cover are carbon fiber, although I'm sure they are not printed out:

http://www.nikonusa.com/digital-brochure/d750/

Joe

Nikon seems to be tentatively dipping a toe with polymer in its 750, but so much more could be done. Everything could be modular in the body with with 3d printing and price could come down to make it almost a disposable commodity with the lens the only mechanical part (which is being rethought with liquid changing shape lens groups).

I think that plastics, including carbon fiber reinforced, are still subject to significant changes due to temperature. This makes them less stable than metals. I would like to see more titanium used, but I don't envision it in the near future.

Joe

Titanium is difficult to mill so its cost effectiveness is in question (plus is a finite resource). Being a biker,I have seen all these different products go through the cost benefit ratio and performance aspects. This doesn't translate to camera bodies easily but gives some insight to the manufacturing ease or not. i want my camera as light as possible, so the prism, battery, and maybe the frame to mount screws for the mount are really the only stumbling blocks to a real user friendly body.

Mike in O wrote:Titanium is difficult to mill so its cost effectiveness is in question (plus is a finite resource).  Being a biker,I have seen all these different products go through the cost benefit ratio and performance aspects.  This doesn't translate to camera bodies easily but gives some insight to the manufacturing ease or not.  i want my camera as light as possible, so the prism, battery, and maybe the frame to mount screws for the mount are really the only stumbling blocks to a real user friendly body.

Titanium has been used in cameras for a long time. No reason not to be able to use it in critical parts nowadays.

http://barthworks.com/nikon/titanium.htm

https://my.bizx.com/Offers/24773/Leica- ... a-Titanium

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/leic ... ious-piec/

http://www.samys.com/p/Hasselblad/11001 ... 24216.html

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Canon-IXU ... era_review

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/nv4-t ... ition-9983

Joe

I don't know if the Minolta 9 Titanium (Ti) was the metal or just a name.

I don't know if the Minolta 9 Titanium (Ti) was the metal or just a name.

Mike in O wrote:I don't know if the Minolta 9 Titanium (Ti) was the metal or just a name.

It was titanium with a carbon fiber shutter;

http://www.jafaphotography.com/maxxum_9ti.htm

There were a few others:

https://www.google.com/search?q=titaniu ... d=0CF8Q7Ak

Not all were titanium, even though the name said ti. Many were only that color.

Joe

Scotty would make it out of transparent aluminum

E.J. Peiker wrote:Scotty would make it out of transparent aluminum

I actually have one of them, but it seems I can never find it!!!!!

Joe