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Author Topic: Sealing in Professional Digital Cameras - Tough Question  (Read 761 times)

Edalongthepacific

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Sealing in Professional Digital Cameras - Tough Question
« on: July 24, 2012, 02:20:49 pm »

How much of the cost and weight of a professional, top of the line, "flagship" camera comes from designing and installing environmental sealing?
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Sealing in Professional Digital Cameras - Tough Question
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2012, 03:14:21 pm »

Hi,

One of the most well protected cameras is Pentax K5 and it is very reasonable priced. So I would suggest that weather sealing can be done at pretty low cost. The same applies to weight.

Best regards
Erik


How much of the cost and weight of a professional, top of the line, "flagship" camera comes from designing and installing environmental sealing?
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Erik Kaffehr
 

lfeagan

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Re: Sealing in Professional Digital Cameras - Tough Question
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2012, 03:26:12 pm »

 ;D Funny but good question. I am sure that it isn't the ~ $3k Canon/Nikon ask for in additional cost. :P

Realistically, in comparing the sealing of something like a D700 with a D3, the manufacturing cost difference is negligible, especially if you got rid of the pop-up flash on the D700 which limits their ability to seal it as well. The additional O-rings might be about $10 (likely less). Adding more channels to the case for the O-rings is nearly free, but depending on how intricate the casting is, they may increase the reject rate, which has a cost. Lastly, the design cost needs to be recouped. As long as a manufacturer insists on having a finely incremented product line (many products spanning very small price segments), the extra design cost may be non-trivial. However, reducing nearly redundant models through more modular designs could easily more than offset this (the accessory treadmill, where nearly every new camera has a unique battery and vertical grip).

In the end, when comparing a model like the D700 to the D3, we may be talking about $50 per unit. If we are talking about something like a D3100 vs a D3, then it is likely around $200. I am thinking about internal costing here.

In terms of weight, it is nearly trivial. We are talking about maybe an ounce of O-rings.
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Lance

Nikon: D700, D800E, PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, PC-E 45mm f/2.8D ED, PC-E 85mm f/2.8D, 50mm f/1.4G, 14-24 f/2.8G ED, 24-70 f/2.8G ED, 70-200 f/2.8G ED VR II, 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
Fuji: X-Pro 1, 14mm f/2.8, 18mm f/2.0, 35mm f/1.4
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