How long for the four thirds mount?

numbers · 13th August 2007

I know that it's just speculation, but how long do you guys guess we will have the four thirds mount? The OM mount had a long run; the Pentax, Nikon, and other mounts, too. (I'm using "run" to mean the length of time cameras are produced for the particular mount.)

What got me to musing on the subject was opening my drawer full of OM lenses yesterday. Sure, they have some years on them, and a few dings, but all-in-all they were well cared for. How many decades do you think the four thirds mount will be offered in camera production?

I have hopes that more and more producers jump on the four thirds wagon, thereby producing an installed base of users that just might make abandoning the mount difficult. I would hate to see a "Betamax vs VHS" type of market change. And besides, I'm making a significant financial commitment in the four thirds mount by beginning to accumulate lenses. Buying a new camera body is a lot cheaper than buying a new camera body AND new lenses to maintain favorite focal lengths.

Anybody got any thoughts?

Numbers

OlyFlyer · 14th August 2007

Don't mix electronic standards (VHS/Betamax) and mechanical standards like lens fittings. I think the 4/3 fitting will live long.

Mikefellh · 14th August 2007

We've lost quite a few mounts over the years that are no longer made and didn't make the transition to digital. Also, there have been some companies like Konica-Minolta that no longer make equipment (although KM has been taken over by Sony).

I think the fact that 4/3 is also supported by Panasonic and (especially) Leica gives it a bright future.

13th August 2007	#1
numbers New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11	How long for the four thirds mount? I know that it's just speculation, but how long do you guys guess we will have the four thirds mount? The OM mount had a long run; the Pentax, Nikon, and other mounts, too. (I'm using "run" to mean the length of time cameras are produced for the particular mount.) What got me to musing on the subject was opening my drawer full of OM lenses yesterday. Sure, they have some years on them, and a few dings, but all-in-all they were well cared for. How many decades do you think the four thirds mount will be offered in camera production? I have hopes that more and more producers jump on the four thirds wagon, thereby producing an installed base of users that just might make abandoning the mount difficult. I would hate to see a "Betamax vs VHS" type of market change. And besides, I'm making a significant financial commitment in the four thirds mount by beginning to accumulate lenses. Buying a new camera body is a lot cheaper than buying a new camera body AND new lenses to maintain favorite focal lengths. Anybody got any thoughts? Numbers

14th August 2007	#2
OlyFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europe, Sweden, outside Lund Posts: 2,038	Re: How long for the four thirds mount? Don't mix electronic standards (VHS/Betamax) and mechanical standards like lens fittings. I think the 4/3 fitting will live long. __________________ Welcome to my Blog: http://olyflyer.blogspot.com/

14th August 2007	#3
Mikefellh Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,460	Re: How long for the four thirds mount? We've lost quite a few mounts over the years that are no longer made and didn't make the transition to digital. Also, there have been some companies like Konica-Minolta that no longer make equipment (although KM has been taken over by Sony). I think the fact that 4/3 is also supported by Panasonic and (especially) Leica gives it a bright future.