chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Just a word to the wise if your answer to any of the above questions is China. I might be tempted to stock up on a few bits and pieces if it was China. I just checked my toners and they say Made in Japan but that is just one model. This was prompted by a possible world wide shortage of webcams specifically Logitech which I suspect might come from China. My supplier is out of every model of Logitech webcam plus a whole raft of other Logitech items and I note that their stock levels with ETA's are now showing all blank.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Webcams and hen's teeth are both scarce. While I have ordered the cables to hook up my Sony DSLR the webcam is so much [lazy] easier. In mid-April, Webcam Amazon/eBay delivery was in June and the prices were 1.5-2x the prices quoted in a January 2020 review. Oh, OK, yep, tried Walmart and a no-brand with good specs will arrive next Monday. I will also research and get a better smartphone, webcams have stopped improving, perhaps 10 y ago, because smartphones have taken their place for much of the old webcam market.

Trump and his playground boys are alienating China to the point that our sole source of many computer, printer, and camera-related parts and materials will be in short supply and we will be paying well beyond the 15% tariff [we not China pay], add a "tit for tat" retaliation price increase by China. That increas is already rearing its head. We as Consumers are and will suffer from the punch-counterpoint Trade-Wars and will even have problems buying T-shirts and underwear.

Communication with webcam and being able to see the friend and chat is psychologically important for stable mental health. At age 84 this is not the time for me to be "jam-up and jelly-tight" with crowds of people. A 20% chance of death if I am caught by the virus.. no thanks, I will stay at home and communicate by net and phone.

PS: Checked my Toner carts and they say Hongkong ... yes, China

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

It isn't so much that webcams in part have been replaced by cellphones but I would much rather communicate with groups on PCs with decent video hence why webcams have gone. Especially the better ones. That''s why they have gone. You know they keep in stock 5-10 of each model but suddenly there is a demand for 10's of thousands. It will take months (or longer) before supply catches up. And that is only to fill the unfilled demand created by the virus not counting the normal slowish demand. My problem was mine went to my wife who is working from home but needed to do video conferencing with her work.
But moving back to printers. What do you do when you suddenly need to print but a cartridge is out. You buy a new one if they are in stock. But what happens if they are on a very slow boat from China (or in-between factories as a manufacturer decides to shift country of origin. All I can say is remember toilet paper. You read it here first.

And an aside to printer inks but to do with webcams. I watched a few of her video conferences - it was so easy to tell who was using a phone or laptop video camera - slow video, breaking up, crap audio, blank bits, resyncing of video. We operate straight to a 100Mb fibre so we didn't disappear.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I think the web cam shortage was prompted by the sudden increase in remote working and on-line school use.

I haven't checked, but I'll guess my printer ink is made in China, just like most stuff anymore.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Hmmm...two of the three ads in this thread for me were for ink cartridges....

BebuLamar

I didn't check but I think since they have very large profit margin with ink cartridges they may make them in Japan or USA.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wow, I just checked my Canon set and it says Japan, I'm surprised!

BebuLamar

And I guess that your Canon printer is made in Vietnam. They have to make the printer as cheap as possible but don't need to make the ink all that cheap as they make big profit when they sell the ink.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Probably a good guess, The next time I move it, I'll check.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

All those that need Webcams. Why not use your DSLR or mirrorless. They do an awesome job. My Canon cartridges ate made in Japan also but I refill with Precision Ink products

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

An hour in "live view on" for a meeting???
I'd rather use a dedicated web cam.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I have the Nikon a/c adapter for mine and my wife's cameras. Works amazingly

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

The only way to conduct a hours meeting on webcam is to use a 27" or larger monitor so you can see the other participants. Some programs allow you to watch ALL participants in their own windows. Not happening in 'live view'. Plus decent speakers and a good microphone. Using a DSLR is basically an exercise in futility and frustration. However if you want do this and it is your first time you are probably overwhelmed by the ability of your technology to allow you. But it is still not suitable for commercial use (one reason at least is that the participants don't all have good DSLRs available because webcams are much cheaper and secondly my camera stops functioning after a 1/2 hr) nor really good home use either.
On this earth a lot of things can be done but that doesn't mean that they should.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The ONLY way??? Matter of opinion isn't it?
I do a family conference for about an hour on my 15" laptop with 12 members.
I've no problem seeing them.
They don't need to be life-size.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Everything is a matter of opinion.
Do you wear glasses ? If you do big screens are much better.
And is the family conference a business meeting where participants may need to refer to off screen data like a whiteboard ?
And is the 15" laptop screen your only option ? Trying to view your new grandchild on a small screen is not the best way to see her. And 15" laptops are really not renowned for their color accuracy or resolution.
I have a cellphone and, believe me on this, needing to wear glasses is one of the biggest pains on this planet.
Too many people "just put up" with what they have because they don't have the knowledge to do anything better, don't have the resources, or view it as a matter of pride that they can do more with less, or a large amount of stubbornness. I have a mate just like that.
But this is, as you said, a matter of opinion so let's leave it at that.