bruehlt,
I worked in manufacturing of medical equipment and other venues during my "corporate" phase
Everyone complained about cost of goods there too.......
To design and build a housing for even the simplest digital camera with various buttons, switches, etc. in a low volume type of product isn't easy. I am constantly amazed by people's perception a SLR housing with interchangeable ports, all controls, circuitry for real TTL through a hot shoe (in Ikelite's models I sell) to 300' capable strobes should cost what? $300.00? Get real..............
If you think it's so easy go build one and put your SLR in it to test your knowledge and expertise
SLRs have reached a plateau of plenty good enough for 99.9999% of shooters who want the speed they provide.
My customers keep them a MINIMUM of 4 years before even thinking of upgrading. Then they always use their ports, lenses, cords, strobes, etc. So the life cycle has somewhat stabilized. I have people shooting older Canon Rebel XTi, XSi, T1i or whatever with even a 18-55mm "kit" lens making photos that would astound the average diver / photographer.
Plus SLRS are sold in such huge volumes and finding a clean used body if you kill yours isn't that hard either. Obsolescence was when you had a FILM camera housing
Sorry if his comes off as a rant but I'm tired of people expecting great products for nothing..........
YMMV........
David Haas
www.haasimages.com