On 10/8/09 24:26 , Neil Harrington wrote:
"D. Peter wrote in message
...
On 10/6/09 18:49 , Neil Harrington wrote:
"D. Peter wrote in message
...




And...yes, plastic is bad.

Other than Nikon plastic.



Even Nikon plastic.

Actually I was making a wee joke


I realize that. I was making one in return.


but seriously, what complaint do you have aboout polycarbonate? It's strong,
light, doesn't dent, has been used for camera bodies for decades and is
all-around good stuff. I assume most DSLRs still use a metal chassis
underneath the polycarbonate for those parts that require dimensional
stability, as 35mm SLRs did. Whatever they do, it works well.


As with the example posted here, plastics, even polycarbonates
shear. And are generally not repairable when they do. Polycarbonates
are cheap, easy to manufacture, but when a lens housing, for
instance is made in a single casting, the mounting flanges can be
shorn off with rough handling. With no way to return them to
servicability. Machined parts can be replaced.

Polycarbonates may have their place. Many times they're in the
wrong places.



The word "plastic" is sort of off-putting since it makes one think of milk
bottles, delicatessen containers and cheap toys, etc. But there are many
very different kinds of plastic, just as there are many different metals. I
don't think you'd want an SLR made out of lead or even unalloyed iron or
copper.

And no one has ever suggested otherwise.