It's Just Lame; Caution—A Rant!

First Osprey image of the year.  It’s good to see them back. (click to enlarge)

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm in the market for a new camera since I only have one and I'm really not comfortable without some redundancy.  I want a second camera as insurance in case my primary camera is stolen, dropped, malfunctions, lost, etc.  I don't think that is unreasonable.  However, in researching new cameras I've discovered a trend that seems to be spreading among the camera manufacturers that is really disturbing to me.

This new trend of camera and other electronic companies not providing battery chargers with their cameras, phones, etc. is really lame, as I have called situations that were:

Crappy

Weak

Pathetic

Feeble

Inadequate

Lousy

Pathetic

Pitiful

Poor

Flimsy

A Snooze

A Snore

Thin

Wack...and I could go on.  

You get my point.  I think it is cheap and chintzy for them not to include an item that is vital for the optimum operation of their product.

When we buy an interchangeable lens camera today we are paying over $1000 US, but more likely than not, more than $2000 and some of us over $3000 to purchase a product that absolutely requires batteries to function—period.  It won't work without a battery.  It's a paperweight without a battery.  What do we get?  A camera in which  the manufacturer doesn't include a battery charger.  How lame.  

These are not $100 purchases where not including a battery charger will save a significant percentage of cost but multi-thousands of dollars investments we make in photographic kit.  Leaving out a battery charger is a  negligible savings.  I would even suggest raising the price by $25 US as the chargers most likely will cost less than that when manufactured and purchased by the tens of thousands.  But don't make your customers go out and try to find a battery charger, which sometimes is impossible because the manufacturer's chargers may be out of stock!  Double whammy!  The price manufacturers now set for a battery charger that should be included with the camera is outrageous as well.  For example, the battery charger for the new battery in the newly announced Olympus OM-1 is $149.99 US!  Are you kidding me?  And...it's not in stock!  Then think about what you have to do and the time you have to spend finding one in stock, buy it, have it shipped all in separate packaging, separate transportation, etc.  This is not very environmentally sound either.

I understand that a camera's battery can be charged through the camera but that seems a bit much to ask.  First of all, you have to introduce external electrical current through the camera's electronics.  I really don't want to do that to my camera unless I have no other choice.  I don't want to take the chance of one small thing going wrong and the result is the camera's electronic get fried.  Think power surge, lightning strike or similar anomaly.

So we are told, "I'm sorry, you have to put your camera down and not make photos for three hours while the battery is charged."  What?  In order to avoid that, we buy multiple batteries—again at outrageous prices.  Then there is the problem of multiple batteries having to be charged at the end of the day or night through the camera body.  You put one in the camera and allow it to charge.  If it is late at night, in order to charge battery number two or three, you have to set your alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to change batteries in the camera.  That is a really poor way to do things

But wait you say!  You already have a camera which uses the same batteries and you can use the charger that came with it.  Yes, but how many manufacturers do we see upgrading and improving their batteries because we complained that battery life was not as good as it should be?  Those new, better batteries won't fit in the old charger.  Not a solution in many cases.  Additionally, a previous purchase has nothing to do with the cost of a current purchase and how many of us don't have an identically powered camera?  I would venture to say most of us.

When was the last time you went to a car lot to buy a car, plunk down your money and when you go to drive your new ride off the lot there is no air in the tires?  Oh, says the salesman, I know air is required to drive the car, but you'll have to pay for air separately.  Our air doesn't come with the car.

When was the last time you went to a restaurant and ordered a nice Italian meal, say spaghetti, and when it is served at your table, there is no silverware?  "But, sir, you are paying for the meal.  To eat the meal you will need silverware and that is an extra charge!"

When was the last time you purchased a pair of pants?  You try them on in the store to ensure they fit and there is no zipper?  What?  The salesman tells you the zipper is extra.

When was the last time you purchased a shirt?  You look at in the plastic wrapping and see there are no buttons?  No buttons, you think to yourself?  What's that about?  You ask the salesperson and it turns out the buttons are an extra charge.

Do you see where I'm going with this?  Charging extra for something that is absolutely required for use or operation of the item you've purchased is bad business.  I don't know about you but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  It doesn't pass the smell test either.

I'm afraid we are going to see trends such as these spread.  I may have to rebel!  I'm now thinking that if a manufacturer doesn't include an essential item with their camera and forces me to purchase it separately, then I will take my money elsewhere.  Again, I think it is a bad way to do business.  Lame, if you ask me.

End of rant!

That all said, anyone who knows me knows that I tend to rant with a bit of a sense of humor.  I'll exaggerate a bit in order to make a point.  This issue is not the end of the world, not life-threatening and is more of an annoyance, inconvenience and nuisance than a super serious one.  So take my words in the spirit in which they are meant and decide for yourself whether or not you are bothered not having a battery charger included with your purchase.  Personally, I am.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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