The camera guys seemed to be concerned about stickiness versus degrading into goo. I'm not sure that any of them are able draw a meaningful conclusion without an actual comparison test. For example, they would have to have two lenses that were manufactured at the same time, then use one and store the other. This would be the only way that they could "know" that the difference in stickiness was due to handling. However, they still could come the wrong conclusion. Maybe the any difference in stickiness is due to incrementally removing the sticky substance on the handled lens versus it building up on the stored lens. Both items could have actually degraded the same amount, but "stickiness" is simply a poor metric to use for judging degradation.
Similarly, to make any real judgements about belt life, one would need to have two decks with the same parts installed. One deck would need to be used and the other not. A meaningful conclusion could be made if the belts on one of the decks held up better than the ones on the other. Otherwise, I don't see how any definitive statements can be made.
The closest I can come to a meaningful experiment is with the rubberized coating on a computer mouse. Many years ago, I set up two office workstations, one for me and another for my wife. They both had the same keyboard, mouse and monitor (all purchased at the same time). I use my workstation daily, my wife uses hers very occasionally. The rubber coating on my mouse turned into a sticky mess, the coating on my wife's mouse turned into a hard substance. Neither is anything like when they were new. I think I can make a meaningful statement about the coating on this particular model of mouse. I don't think extrapolating this experience to anything else is necessarily meaningful.
One commonly believed theory (backed by science) is that every rubber part degrades somehow. The degradation clock starts when it is removed from the mold. The nominal speed of degradation is based on the composition and process used to manufacture the part. One can speed up or slow down the clock based on the environment or usage, but the degradation is inevitable.
The more I think about this the more questions that I have... For example, how important is it to buy a freshly manufactured belt? Buying from old stock would be problematic if the belts degrade mostly from not being used. Conversely, it wouldn't be so much of a problem if the belts degrade mostly from usage.
Glitch
Similarly, to make any real judgements about belt life, one would need to have two decks with the same parts installed. One deck would need to be used and the other not. A meaningful conclusion could be made if the belts on one of the decks held up better than the ones on the other. Otherwise, I don't see how any definitive statements can be made.
The closest I can come to a meaningful experiment is with the rubberized coating on a computer mouse. Many years ago, I set up two office workstations, one for me and another for my wife. They both had the same keyboard, mouse and monitor (all purchased at the same time). I use my workstation daily, my wife uses hers very occasionally. The rubber coating on my mouse turned into a sticky mess, the coating on my wife's mouse turned into a hard substance. Neither is anything like when they were new. I think I can make a meaningful statement about the coating on this particular model of mouse. I don't think extrapolating this experience to anything else is necessarily meaningful.
One commonly believed theory (backed by science) is that every rubber part degrades somehow. The degradation clock starts when it is removed from the mold. The nominal speed of degradation is based on the composition and process used to manufacture the part. One can speed up or slow down the clock based on the environment or usage, but the degradation is inevitable.
The more I think about this the more questions that I have... For example, how important is it to buy a freshly manufactured belt? Buying from old stock would be problematic if the belts degrade mostly from not being used. Conversely, it wouldn't be so much of a problem if the belts degrade mostly from usage.
Glitch
