bettis1 Loc: Texas

LIke most photographers I always lust for newer and more advanced equipment. Each time that I look at a critique of a new arrival or consider another camera, I am conflicted by many of the "assets" that are offered in that particular model. The conflict arises even though that model may include several features that appeal to my particular style of photography, but there are inevitably many more that have no advantage or, even worse, negative points for my use. As an example, since I don't use the video function or wifi, I have no use for those features in the D750; nor do I print billboard size prints so 36 megapixels in the D810 aren't required.

That led me to wonder why we aren't offered options to select or delete in the bodies. I suspect that camera assembly, like other technologically advanced products, is pretty much an automated assembly line process. It certainly occurs in the automobile industry. On several occasions I have gone online and selected from the available options for a vehicle and then sent a request for proposal to a dealer to provide that. It takes a little longer than just buying from the showroom but the upside is that the vehicle exactly fits my needs and I have not paid for some feature that I will never use. With some programing modifications to the robots it shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility in camera manufacturing. If that is the case, it would seem to be a tremendous marketing tool for a brand to offer its customers.

Bob

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

I suspect that for electronic items mass produced on production lines it would cost a lot more to have features added or removed than the basic price of the one-size-for-all is.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Exactly. It would increase the cost of all models if they had to make half a dozen different circuit boards and camera bodies with different controls. The Model T was available in one color: black. Henry Ford had to buy and stock just one color, saving money on the whole painting process. Black dried faster, too.

Selling a camera that lacked several features would be more difficult.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I think you hit the nail on the head, and I don't use a lot of features on my cameras either, video, I run it once when I buy to make sure it works, then maybe never again. Bob.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I doubt it would be as practical with cameras as it is for cars. The only reason I could see to do it is if they charged less for fewer options, and you know they won't do that. Otherwise, you don't know if sometime in the future you might find a need for features you think you don't need now. And if you end up selling the camera at some point, it would be worth less without all the original features.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You are confusing purchasing a mass produced item with purchasing a tailor made suit.

When you select a camera you select for what you need, nothing else. The rest is BS.

I shoot manual, I shoot raw I print large.

Result?
raw is an option? Check.
Custom WB? Check.
Full manual? Check.
Mega pixel? Check.
Dynamic range? Check.

Everything else from focusing to video is junk. I do not give a rat ass about it. That is why I consider the Nikon D810 as a minor upgrade to the D800e. By minor I mean, REALLY minor.

As a buyer, instead of complaining about too many options, check that the ones you need are present (and easily selectable).

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

There is a rumor going around that Canon is looking at modular cameras that would allow a little customization.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

As long as features that I do not care about are not getting in the way of using the features that I want to use, it doesn't bother me that they are there.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Well, this might be a place were custom settings come more into play as well as future upgrades with firmware, sort of.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You are aware that you can buy clothing with electronics built-in, right? :D

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Modern cameras are firmware driven by most counts if it's not programed in the camera the functions just would not work and you would get something on the LCD screen like (this function not Available) it is do able if you think about it but I don't think it's going to happen any time soon!

tamalero Loc: Mexico

they could always do what Intel does.
Make the best camera all around, then nerf via lens mounts and firmware (OS) and laser cutting.

But then, hackers might find a way to unlock the firmware.

BeaverNewby Loc: Memphis, Tn

For me money is the deciding issue. If say 2 items have the same feature set and produce the same results. The lowest price will always win. I drive a Acura TL would like a Porsche but would never buy one(Might be a bucket list Item) :D :-D.
I own a Nikon D3300 18-55VRII, 55-300VRII and I would love to own a D800e, but I am putting my money in better lenses.

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

The difference between automobile manufacturing and camera manufacturing is that automobile manufacturing is primarily a process of assembling discrete physical components into different finished products while camera manufacturing involves the assembly of a small number of physical components plus the computer firmware which provides most of the features of the camera.

Making multiple models of the firmware would actually increase the costs to the manufacturer as it would require a substantial increase in product inventory due to the need to carry additional models.

Admittedly this could be avoided by not building a camera until an order (accompanied by a nonrefundable deposit) was received. So, instead of two day delivery and our credit cards not being charged until the product was shipped we, the buyers, would be facing our credit card being charged at the time the order was placed and a two to three MONTH gap between time of order and receipt of the camera unless we were willing to pay outrageous air freight charges.

Jerry

bettis1 Loc: Texas

It looks like the answers to my question can be boiled down to: "Well, that's just not the way we build cameras." :-D

Maybe someday...

Bob