On Oct 21, 2006, at 9:26 AM, Cory Papenfuss wrote: > A pop-up flash? It's got a relatively high-power converter to > generate flash voltages, high-power timing-accurate switching for P- > TTL, a > flash tube, a whole slew of precision mechanical linkages to > retract, etc.
I disagree. The components of a small flash unit like this are so cheap that they can embed them into a disposable camera which sells, retail, for $4, today. The hinged cover over the prism housing and its latch are very low tech and cheap to manufacture. A precision lens coupling for aperture position sensing that has at least high enough accuracy to detect 1/3 stop position information is quite a bit more costly to assemble and calibrate. > An LCD? That's probably the second-most expensive component of > the entire camera, second only to the sensor. Possibly true, but it would be nearly impossible to market the camera without it to today's camera buyer. It also can be used, as Pentax has, to replace several other control components (iso setting knob, etc), reducing overall cost. Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
