This is of course to a degree subjective - especially when taken into
account as to the "useful life expectancy" of an item or tool. While
plastics - like polycarbonates, polymers etc have indeed made successful
inroads in some interesting places (machine tools, firearms etc), they can
not aspire to match certain metals in longterm usage and durability.
Plastics can age rapidly compared to most durable metals. Heat, cold,
sunlight, and even small amounts of certain chemicals etc variously take a
toll over time.
While I don't view all plastic items as "junk", I do consider them somewhat
"disposable" - rather like most electrical gadgets - or short to medium term
buys. Plastics are a very practical alternative for replaceable parts. But
when they form the integral body or non-replaceable parts of an item I
consider it a somewhat expendable item.
Lee
----Original Message Follows----
From: Mike <watershed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: re:[OM] Wide zooms
Moose writes:
> ....There seems to be a common assumption that metal construction is
somehow
> mystically associated with superior optics. Yet several list members
> have made comments about the plastic one along the lines of "I can't
> believe it will hold up, but it takes great pictures (and is so cheap I
> can just buy another if it breaks after a few years)"......
>
Same things were said when the first hand power tools were made with
plastic housings. Reminds me of the "old timers" pontificating on the
merits of sturdy metal vs. cheap plastic. Time has proven the plastic to
be equal to or better than the best metal housings plus they are lighter
and cheaper. Ironically the current crop of metals like ti and mg are
billing themselves as being lighter and stonger than plastic but
definitely not cheaper.
Mike
--
Latitude 48° 32' North, Longitude 123° 7' West
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