Validity of Nikon’s quality (Page 5): Planned obsolescence vs. expected product life. Just by looking at the chart you included you have the shutter count data on the Nikon model. The...

franksfun Loc: Bucks County PA

Planned obsolescence vs. expected product life.
Just by looking at the chart you included you have the shutter count data on the Nikon model. The data suggests that 7 of 100 shutters will fail at 100,000 to 150,000 shots, or 93% will still be operating correctly. I have about 60k shots on my four year old 5d mkii. Data for my camera is similar. That means at my current pace I can anticipate four to six more years of reliable service. As I approach that threshold I will need to make a choice, refurbish my current equipment or replace it.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s technology rolled over at a pace of ever seven to twelve years. Look at how long “Dial Telephones” were around, only to be replaced by “Touch Tone” phones. The TT’s were around until the mid 90’s. Now people have adapted to the new technology and don’t even have land lines.

Today technology rolls over every year or so! It’s a new millennium and there will be early adapters, then the general public adapts and finally the late adapters will gradually catch up. And the cycle starts all over again.

In summary, we all have the freedom to choose how we pursue our own photography. Older, traditional methods and equipment, or newer technology. It’s up to us to choose based on our individual criteria..

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Everyone talks about the tragedy of shutter failure on a camera but I have read where it generally costs about under $400 to repair one.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Jamil wrote:

I was at a camera repair with my D810 the other day and the repair person was exclaiming about how my camera was made to last a year or two. I’ve had this unit for almost 2 years and have had nary a problem. His point was that manufacturers plan it that way to stimulate sales. I’ve used Nikon for the past 40 years and have never entertained that planned obsolescence was Nikon ‘s criterion for it’s products.
I was wondering whether any of you had heard “such “

They all have a plan of sorts like this. They all have cameras on the design board that are better and better and they could assemble a better camera but I'm sure that the choose not to put their most innovative parts inside each camera so that they can sell one today and come out with a better one tomorrow for another sale. Many professional people have to have the latest and greatest camera or lens. All the camera makers count on them to sustain sales. The consumers that buy less expensive cameras, NOT so much. This is how they keep us coming back. So the D800 came out and less than 6 months later the D810. I don't know how many years later the D850 came out but those the have been using the D800/810 will most likely pine over the newer model even if they have a perfectly good working older model.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I have had and used Nikon products since 1971 and since that time, I have used various Nikon products for over 10 years with NO problems.

acreutz

I have a D5100 with about 125,000 shutter clicks (not sure how old, but got it when the D5100 was newly released) -- works fine. I haven't yet seen a new model Nikon that would justify the cost for an upgrade (so far I am OK with smaller sensor size, but the full-size is appealing. Trouble is my investment in lenses!).

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

Jamil wrote:

I was at a camera repair with my D810 the other day and the repair person was exclaiming about how my camera was made to last a year or two. I’ve had this unit for almost 2 years and have had nary a problem. His point was that manufacturers plan it that way to stimulate sales. I’ve used Nikon for the past 40 years and have never entertained that planned obsolescence was Nikon ‘s criterion for it’s products.
I was wondering whether any of you had heard “such “

I still shoot with my Nikon D50. I think that assertion is farcical.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I get planned obsolescence and wouldn't put it past most manufacturers but I think they have a much more effective way of dealing with that--NEW MODELS and FEATURES. By doing that they effectively make the older products less desirable and people who can or are so disposed grab them and the used stuff get recycled to other consumers who can't afford new but become fans of the product and future buyers of newer products.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Let the camera manufacturers be the camera manufacturers. If it's in their best interests to increase sales by making their models newer, more different, and better then everyone benefits. If they make models which are same old, same old and failure-prone then consumers won't buy and no one benefits.

Bottom line: The free market will take care of it and poor quality will drive shoddy and unethical manufacturers out.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

Jamil wrote:

I was at a camera repair with my D810 the other day and the repair person was exclaiming about how my camera was made to last a year or two. I’ve had this unit for almost 2 years and have had nary a problem. His point was that manufacturers plan it that way to stimulate sales. I’ve used Nikon for the past 40 years and have never entertained that planned obsolescence was Nikon ‘s criterion for it’s products.
I was wondering whether any of you had heard “such “

Sounds like a Cannon lover.

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Planned obsolescence? Programmed obsolescence? I don't think so. Electronic and technology are fast moving industries that advance because of engineering and design elements that are created by research and development...just as with smartphones, computers, etc. These industries drive themselves and introduce their inventiveness at various points in time. Industries are consumer driven...with buyers willing to pay for technology that advance their cause, like photography. I recently purchased an D850, not that I needed to replace my trusty D700, but because I wanted the newer technology. My D700 will serve me for the rest of my life, it will not become obsolete as some suggest, and continues to be a desirable digital camera. I was looking for advanced features that the D850 offered. In the right hands, any camera is capable of recording spectacular photos. I think there is a fine line between obsolescence and discovery. Just my thoughts.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I can't imagine that's true. If a Nikon only lasted two years, I wouldn't buy another one.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jamil wrote:

I was at a camera repair with my D810 the other day and the repair person was exclaiming about how my camera was made to last a year or two. I’ve had this unit for almost 2 years and have had nary a problem. His point was that manufacturers plan it that way to stimulate sales. I’ve used Nikon for the past 40 years and have never entertained that planned obsolescence was Nikon ‘s criterion for it’s products.
I was wondering whether any of you had heard “such “

Absolutely. why do you think the D850 came out?
Purely to make your D810 obsolete and get the collectors, not shooters to get the latest bragging camera.
This I observe for all makers.
A Nikon F or Canon F-1 was easily up graded with a myriad of films available. You might add a lens or 2 but they were great for years also.
Now even lenses become obsolete. Yes they work but new features make them obsolete regardless of manufacturer.

NickelCigar Loc: Lenexa, Kansas

I would ditch this camera guy in a heartbeat. He wants you to sell him your camera so he can make a bundle on the back end.Ask him what he will give you for a tradein on a new camera, then check after market prices andrun from him as fast as you can. He is trying to rip you off!!!!!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I don't think the camera repair guy is dishonest, just ignorant of the way business and markets work. He doesn't understand free market capitalism which is the fairest and best system yet devised to increase prosperity for all.

Yes, there are unscrupulous businesses out there but they don't prosper or stay in business long because free markets will weed them out.

DMGill Loc: Colorado

This year I replaced my D300 and D300s with a pair of D500 Nikons because when I tried the D500 I found its focus, focus tracking, low light capabilities, and IQ vastly improved. The D300 series cameras still work as well as when new but technology has progressed. Similarly, I'm retiring my D3 and replacing it with a D850 for the same reasons. My Nikon F, FTN, F2, and a case full of Nikon lenses from the 70's served me well for many years and are still as good as the day they were purchased, but that darned technology has left them in the dust. Planned obsolescence or technological advances? In today's world we are going to find computers and computerized cameras are going to be outdated while they are still mechanically sound. Welcome to our world today. Were the Luddites on to something. ;-)