Why don't they make manual zoom cameras?

[larry909]

Like they have on those Zoom binoculars where you pull a lever back and forth. It will make cameras cheaper, less Parts, Less malfunction.

 

[pendennis]

The cost it would take to convert manufacturing from the way zoom lenses are made today, and the retooling and re-design of lens bodies, lenses, auto-focus, focus motors, etc., would make the concept cost prohibitive. Lens makers have spent years and lots of dollars to improve zoom lens designs from the old push-pull design to today's helical mounts, and no one likely would be interested in reinventing the wheel.

A lever-operated zoom is more or less a push-pull with a mechanical device added.

Besides, until someone can show the failure rate in today's designs to be excessive, no one will change.

 

[480sparky]

I shudder to think how low my keeper rate would drop to if I had to use a lever sticking out the side of a zoom lens.

Especially when using any more than 100 or 150mm.... like a 70-300 or 150-600 or 200-500.... during fast action......... like sports or BIFs.

 

[jcdeboever]

I use all my zoom lens manually the majority of the time. My fijifilm has focus peaking highlights.

 

[480sparky]

I use all my zoom lens manually the majority of the time..............

Using a lever?

 

[jcdeboever]

I use all my zoom lens manually the majority of the time..............

Using a lever?

No lever

 

[tecboy]

Like this one?

 

[480sparky]

Like this one?

I use one like that for critical focusing when using a tripod.

 

[Designer]

Like they have on those Zoom binoculars where you pull a lever back and forth. It will make cameras cheaper, less Parts, Less malfunction.

They have those lenses. They're called "push-pull", as in grab the barrel, pull it or push it. No lever involved, saving the expense and complexity of an additional part.

Let's be realistic here; the only "part" that you have in addition to the push-pull lens is a helicoid, which is not terribly complicated or expensive either.

 

[benhasajeep]

Must be a bridge or point and shoot camera? For a bridge or point and shoot, they probably don't have the room to allow for manual zooming. Most cameras are stuffed pretty full.

All my zoom lenses are manual zoom.

 

[davidharmier60]

I had a Sony camera (somewhat like a modern long zopm) that used a floppy disk for storage. If I'm not mistaken (been a long time) I think it had a lever for zoom.
It was a SERIOUS disappointment in most ways. The much smaller Nikon Coolpix P60 I have now has a rocker switch.
And is SO MUCH better a camera.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[petrochemist]

All my zoom lenses are manual zoom. None have levers for it as that would simply make them awkward. If a lever was desirable they can be added easily enough - I have one (similar to those shown by @tecboy) coming for fine tuning manual focus on my longer telephotos, where very small adjustments can be necessary. It's set me back nearly £1

 

[Light Guru]

Because a lever would just complicate things on single lens.

The reason a leaver is used on binoculars is because there are two lenses that it is focusing.


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