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What's with all the car analogies?

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Most of my cameras are made in Japan and most of the cars is owned are also made in Japan. I think there's a correlation between the two as they're both well built. Of course the difference is I can swap a LS1 into my Miata but I can't swap anything into a camera body 😂
 
Car analogies make sense to every american, whereas a normal explanation would not.

Ultimately this relates to education.

Let's just say USA has cars and highways the same way other countries have buses, trams and libraries.

The good news? Even in those countries, libraries are mostly used for internet access and browsing of magazines.

So basically, nobody likes reading too much. But everybody likes a shiny car. So we're stuck with car analogies forever..... or at least until reading and writing become too liberal and cumbersome.
 
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They are easy to make and repetitive. So goes it.

The same reason why all the silly GAS threads exist and ~83.23% of all others.

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RAW--- Reconfigurable Architecture Workflowness
 
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As a person preparing to move into a suburb, i understand the car dilemma americans have. Seen the documentaries.

American suburbs are a prison, the only way to get in and out is via car. The distances are huge, american cities are spread out.

Many people can't even bike, it would take too long.

Now let me give you my grandma's example. She lives in an apartment building in a smaller town in Eastern Europe.

Despite not being able to drive or walk for long distances, she doesn't have to. Absolutely everything she needs is in a 10 minute walking radius. If she can't walk to it, the bus stop is basically in front on the building.

My grandparents never had nor needed a car. Sure, they wanted one, but they couldn't afford it. That however did not impact their quality of life. They just walked or used public transportation, no problem.

Had they lived in an american suburb, things would have been very, very different. They would have needed at least two cars to get around.
 
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Mark Scott Abeln said:
mamallama said:
What about the Oldsmobile solution?
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Nobody ever wanted an Oldsmobile solution.
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Not borne out by history. Oldsmobile at one time was where GM introduced some of their newest and most advanced engineering. In 1949 GM introduced the OHV V-8 in their Cadillac and Oldsmobile brands. Oldsmobile chose to put this new V-8 into their smallest and lightest body, the Olds 76. This then became the Rocket 88, which for a short time (until the Fabulous Hudson Hornet) was the scourge of NASCAR racing. The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 also became (arguably, very arguably) the first muscle car.

So if someone mentioned an 'Oldsmobile solution' that would have meant advanced engineering and high performance.

e2018b88f5944b689081973bbeb0ef0a.jpg
 
KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice, whereas cameras are simple (if not so simple) tools.

So why do so many threads end up analogizing cameras to cars?
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Just a thought since my other two replies.

When a camera company makes a great camera, the other manufactures jump on the bandwagon and try to beat it.

When SSC North America’s 2007 Ultimate Aero TT set the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest production car with a verified top speed of 256.18 mph.

European Supercar Manufactures had to beat it. Most now have beat the record as has SSC North America, with the Tuatara.

I'm in Vancouver Washington, SSC North America/Headquarters are in Richland, WA.

United States does manufacture a street legal super car, not just European Countries.

Camera Companies and Automobile Companies want to beat each other.

Ps.

Just noticed I didn't include all I planned to say. I'm old and forgetful.

As consumers we benefit from all the technological advances in both industries.

But that creates a never ending circle of trying to keep up. We spend many $ to do so. ;-)

--
Norm
 
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KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice, whereas cameras are simple (if not so simple) tools.

So why do so many threads end up analogizing cameras to cars?
Click to expand...
Because many new camera systems--a body, a bag of lenses, lighting--now cost as much as a car.

Feels straightforward to measure value in similar terms, if you're paying the same cash.
 
57even said:
Mark Scott Abeln said:
Mathematics is a prime example of deductive reasoning. Suppose you are making a calculation: the slightest mistake in your arithmetic will give you the wrong result, making your calculation invalid.
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And very often there is no deductive solution to a question.

Like "what does she see in him?" ;-)

Most decisions we make on a daily basis are not based on logic.
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Right, sometimes the best we can do is reason by analogy.
 
KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice,
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In your opinion.

To me, there's a lot of commonality in buying either. Plenty of choices; most capable of doing all I need, so I balance budget, performance, sufficiency versus overkill, and luxury aspects.

How much performance do you want/need ? Are you willing to pay for the build quality of a luxury brand ?
I don't equate any camera brand/model to a specific car brand/model, but consider the buying process similar. Narrow down the choices based on hard requirements (budget, specs) then start prioritizing factors that mostly center around enjoyment of the product.

- Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
 
Mark Scott Abeln said:
57even said:
Mark Scott Abeln said:
Mathematics is a prime example of deductive reasoning. Suppose you are making a calculation: the slightest mistake in your arithmetic will give you the wrong result, making your calculation invalid.
Click to expand...
And very often there is no deductive solution to a question.

Like "what does she see in him?" ;-)

Most decisions we make on a daily basis are not based on logic.
Click to expand...
Right, sometimes the best we can do is reason by analogy.
Click to expand...
Our brains are amazingly good at matching patterns - even when they don't really exist we try and make out that they exist, particularly if they give us the answer we want :-)
 
SteveinLouisville said:
They both get you where you want to go, one is more likely to get you a girlfriend.
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Good reply! Of course, you can never tell. If the lady in question is name Gaia or Lotus Blossom, that Focus just might win the day. ;-)

David
 
KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice, whereas cameras are simple (if not so simple) tools.

So why do so many threads end up analogizing cameras to cars?
Click to expand...
Shouldn't cars be the tool and camera's a lifestyle choice? A car that won't haul your family or your tools or cost too much to run is a major issue. That quality of your camera won't impact your life that much, if any.
 
tko said:
KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice, whereas cameras are simple (if not so simple) tools.

So why do so many threads end up analogizing cameras to cars?
Click to expand...
Shouldn't cars be the tool and camera's a lifestyle choice? A car that won't haul your family or your tools or cost too much to run is a major issue. That quality of your camera won't impact your life that much, if any.
Click to expand...
A krap camera/lens setup can certainly spoil your lifestyle.. Drive a Citroen and use a Kiev, 😀 L

--
Everyday is a Challenge. I Meet It Head On..
 
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The car thing is more complicated. My brother in law works in one of the big three US automakers and keeps up with the guys in marketing. He tells me there all kinds of self image consideration with cars. People who buy pickups see themselves and honest, hard working and can do anything. People who drive a Toyota Prius seem themselves as smart and enlightened. With cameras I think there things are less complicated. Although obviously someone buying a Leica sees themselves differently than someone buying a Canon.

It is always kind of weird to me how the common conception is people buy things for how others will see them. But more often what really sells stuff is how people see themselves.
 
I wish to bring a D5 with attached 500 f/4, a D850 with attached 70-200E, Sigma 85 Art, Nikon 14-24, two speedlights, and a Gitzo 4 series tripod. Which car do you recommend? Is there room for my iPad?
 
hikerdoc said:
I wish to bring a D5 with attached 500 f/4, a D850 with attached 70-200E, Sigma 85 Art, Nikon 14-24, two speedlights, and a Gitzo 4 series tripod. Which car do you recommend? Is there room for my iPad?
Click to expand...
Load it Up--

a3723ac1c9bc4a32a047a76271d45bba.jpg


--
Everyday is a Challenge. I Meet It Head On..
 
KrisAK said:
Cars, IMO, are a lifestyle choice, whereas cameras are simple (if not so simple) tools.

So why do so many threads end up analogizing cameras to cars?
Click to expand...
As already pointed out, it can be exactly the opposite.



61783147d6d342ca9125b0b73dbed879.jpg




If you live on a farm with a 5 km dirt road to your house , you may need a particular type of vehicle , however when you go on a holiday you may want to take some photos with the camera of your choice.

(BTW, just one example....)

Because of the above, most Australians will understand what is meant by " the Nikon XXX is built like a LandCruiser" ....

(localy made electric version in the photo)
 
The car industry and the camera industry have a lot in common. And these are things that make those analogies appropriate.

For example:
  • Both are useful consumer goods, that almost everyone has owned
  • Both have been around for a very long time
  • Both have very mature technologies
  • Both get incremental improvements every year
  • Both announce new models every year
  • Both offer a wide range of products
  • Both rely on brand loyalty and brand reputation
  • Both have luxury brands and high end models
  • Both have economy models
  • Both come in multiple types or categories
  • Both are dominated by a handful of market leaders
  • Both have gone through market consolidation
  • Both have "engines" of some sort
  • Both have some type of "power"
  • Both require some kind of "fuel"
  • Both depreciate with use
  • Both have a secondary market for used goods
  • Both are nice to have, but neither is strictly necessary in all places
  • Both are ubiquitous among the prosperous, and rare among the poorest
Of course, there are a few differences too:
  • Even a cheap car is significantly more expensive than an expensive camera
  • Most new car purchases require loans. Most new cameras don't.
  • The car industry employs a much greater number of people
  • Cars are our primary means of transportation in some places. Cameras are just one type of imaging device.
Overall, it seems like the analogy is a good one. Can you think of a better industry to compare the camera industry to? Computers? TVs? Something else?
 
Marty4650 said:
The car industry and the camera industry have a lot in common. And these are things that make those analogies appropriate.

For example:
  • Both are useful consumer goods, that almost everyone has owned
  • Both have been around for a very long time
  • Both have very mature technologies
  • Both get incremental improvements every year
  • Both announce new models every year
  • Both offer a wide range of products
  • Both rely on brand loyalty and brand reputation
  • Both have luxury brands and high end models
  • Both have economy models
  • Both come in multiple types or categories
  • Both are dominated by a handful of market leaders
  • Both have gone through market consolidation
  • Both have "engines" of some sort
  • Both have some type of "power"
  • Both require some kind of "fuel"
  • Both depreciate with use
  • Both have a secondary market for used goods
  • Both are nice to have, but neither is strictly necessary in all places
  • Both are ubiquitous among the prosperous, and rare among the poorest
Of course, there are a few differences too:
  • Even a cheap car is significantly more expensive than an expensive camera
Click to expand...
This is the only one I disagree on, the others are spot on. So I gave you a

So I gave you a

So I gave you a

"The Phase One XT IQ4 150MP camera system price tag is $56,990, which includes the camera and a lens of your choice. Phase One says each system is sold with a five-year warranty."

source: phase one xt iq4 150mp price - Google Search
Marty4650 said:
  • Most new car purchases require loans. Most new cameras don't.
  • The car industry employs a much greater number of people
  • Cars are our primary means of transportation in some places. Cameras are just one type of imaging device.
Overall, it seems like the analogy is a good one. Can you think of a better industry to compare the camera industry to? Computers? TVs? Something else?
Click to expand...
--
Norm
 
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