John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

Good answer. My bad example, but marketing being my supposed issue driving the change.

But I believe Nikon (and I presume others) changes within a series.

Didn't they throw in a free Yugo with Cadillacs one year.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Nikon makes its batteries in China, probably on the same production lines that make the unbranded ones. They also have production facilities in Thailand and Laos, which are not renowned for their freedoms. When you find a Nikon battery made in the US or Japan, it will be worth the premium.

Andy

BebuLamar

Unlike cameras I don't think Nikon makes their batteries. They would specify the battery and have an independent company makes them to their specs. These companies sometimes makes extra (which is illegal) and sells them. These stuff I would call "Genuine Counterfeit".

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Correct. They contract with companies to make them to their specifications. The subcontractor(s) who make them are in China.

rcarol

rcarol

By any chance, do you buy your raw materials from China?

greigfla

I was responding to the person who used the word "naive" and thought I was calling him a liar. I'll bet you did have to do a lot of searching since the manufacturers don't want you to know where they are making them these days. My information on where the various cameras I mentioned were made did not come from any research beyond picking them up off my shelf and reading the labels. Of course it is only relevant to exactly when they were made. I'm personally not invested in one country over another. I understand they don't make Kodaks in Rochester anymore -- and even back then their better cameras and components were made in Germany. Fifty plus years ago I was a Yamaha motorcycle dealer and had to regularly contend with the generational disputes between the kids who wanted a Yamaha and the fathers who would die before they bought anything made in Japan. The most humorous part of that argument came when they said they would never buy a cycle from a county we went to war against so they were headed out for the Harley Davidson dealer. I'd laugh up my sleeve while suggesting they be sure to ask the Harley dealer where the (at the time popular) HD Sprint was made.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Are you saying we can’t trust the tag on the camera and lenses?

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

No, we grow cotton right here in the Carolinas and wool too...

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I recall some dealers doing that but not sure if it was a Cadillac thing or just dealers trying to get rid of Yugo cars.

Barndog Loc: Tacoma

The D500 only recognizes Nikon batteries. Don’t know about some of the other cameras. My D800 works fine with non Nikon batteries.

BebuLamar

If you can have the camera in hands which isn't an easy thing these days. I know the Canon 80d is made in Japan but can you tell me if the 90d is?

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

No I can’t but I would think any camera store that has one in stock could tell you what the tag says... All I know is what I have...

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Mine is.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Unfortunately, the auto industry and the camera industry (including most other consumer goods) are vastly different. In B school, you used to learn how the auto or aerospace industry did manufacturing, product planning, etc. In the real world, you learn how the majority of consumer products are designed and manufactured. Vast difference. This from someone responsible for concept through product life cycle for consumer, professional/industrial and other products for the first 14 years of my career.

Many companies change battery design as technology changes or to make a design that accommodates a lighter weight camera for the target market of soccer moms. There is less generational concern for sharing parts or components outside of a market segment being served. The photo industry still harkens back to memories of the handmade craftsmen history modified by a large mix of mass production of products with large enough sales volume to justify the larger production runs. And photo companies have learned the costs of over production beyond market penetration potential. Most high end cameras, lenses and accessories are more of a limited production/craftsman volumes. And they are designed for it. The global statistics tell them the expected potential market size. And they usually produce less than marketing tells them can be sold.

So, batteries are changed from model to model within a brand and market segment. The collective industry, with some exceptions, is not concerned with battery size, shape, capacity, etc. from model to model or year to year. - Personally, yes, it would be more convenient to have a variety of cameras that could share the same battery. Our industry isn't concerned about it enough to design cameras to accommodate it.