Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih)
Subject: Re: Plastic Canon
Date: 24 Jan 93 16:30:06 GMT

In <nicholson.11@main.mndly.umn.edu> nicholson@main.mndly.umn.edu (JOHN JAY NICHOLSON) writes:

>Why are most Canon cameras made of mostly plastic?  You pick up the Elan or 
>the new A2E, and they feel so cheap?  I understand that the EOS 1 is a very 
>well made camera, and is very durable, but all the others that I have seen 
>are almost pure plastic.  If you don't believe me, open the back of the A2E 
>and look.

I put this question to Chuck Westfall, Technical Information Specialist
at Canon USA.  I find his reply reasonably convincing:

Alvin,
 
This has always been a thorny question to answer. There are two key issues:
(A) the weight differential between polycarbonate and metal; and (B) the
reliability of engineering plastics for cameras.
 
Concerning the weight differential between polycarb and metal, I don't think
its realistic to expect the A2/E to be made any heavier than it is. Extra
weight considered independently is obviously undesirable and costly. It's
been a constant goal in camera design to minimize weight and cost while
maintaining features and reliability.
 
Concerning reliability, I prefer to let product quality speak for itself.
I believe in field experience more than lab tests. So far, the EOS 10s, Elan
and A2/E have not disappointed me in this regard. For example, we constantly
loan out Elans and 10s's to professional photographers through our CPS loan
program. (The EOS A2 and A2E will be phased into our program this year.)
Pros are notorious for abusing loan equipment, but our experience has shown
that both the Elan and 10s are remarkably reliable.
 
Moreover, when it comes to reliability of plastics in camera body design,
Canon is in a better position than most manufacturers to make the statement
that they hold up quite well in the long term.  We pioneered the development
of plastic-bodied SLRs as early as 1978 with the AV-1, followed in 1982 by
the AL-1 and in 1983 by the T50. Each of these cameras has been on the
market for at least 10 years by now, with no body-related problems of any
kind. To be sure, they were designed as entry-level amateur cameras, but
they provided a wealth of manufacturing experience which has been used in
the ongoing development of the EOS series.
 
Alvin, maybe you should ask these people what makes them think that a
polycarbonate body is a problem. Are they mechanical engineers? Have any of
them personally run durability tests on the equipment? Where is their
documented research?
 
Canon Inc. has conducted a great deal of research on all aspects of the use
of plastics in cameras, including resistance to heat, impact, vibration,
static pressure and drop-shock. The EOS A2 and A2E (as well as other EOS
cameras) have passed all these tests with flying colors.
 
Regards--Chuck
 
-- 
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Newsgroups: rec.photo