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The difference in Lubricant quality between a 1980s Nikon F3 and a 2020s mirrorless is stark
I just serviced a Nikon F3 from 1984 and a Sony A7IV in the same week. The old grease on the F3 was still smooth and consistent after all these years. The Sony had some cheap white lithium stuff that was already starting to gum up after just three years of light use. Has anyone else noticed manufacturers skimping on lubricants lately?
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elizabethtaylor2mo ago
Used to roll my eyes at people complaining about planned obsolescence but @loganl22 you're making total sense after seeing that Sony gunk vs the old Nikon stuff. That waxy consistency was exactly what the F3 had, felt like it could survive a nuclear blast.
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loganl222mo ago
Worth asking if the Sony's lube is even designed for long term use or if they just figured three years is the expected lifespan now. You can't tell me there isn't a difference in cost between that gunky white lithium and something like an ISO 68 synthetic that would stay put for a decade. Did you notice if the F3's grease had that nice waxy feel that old Nikkor lenses used to have? That stuff was basically made to outlast the camera body itself. Seems like the industry moved away from durability and straight into planned obsolescence across the board.
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