3DLANES

Denny Laines

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3DLANES explores mechanical culture through cars, watches, and photography.

2 DAYS AGO

3DLANES #67 - The Nikon FM2

Today we review a film camera from the 80's, the Nikon FM2. Sources: Production History & Technical Specifications Nikon FM2 – Wikipedia The Evolution of Nikon FM2 Camera Versions and Production Year Research Nikon FM2 – Camera-wiki.org Nikon FM2n (1983) – Mike Eckman Nikon FM2/FM2n Film Camera Review – Analog.Cafe Nikon FM2 Review in 2026 – Cultured Kiwi Nikon FM2 Instruction Manual (PDF) Nikon Family Cousins, Part 13 – Nikon Camera Chronicle My Ode to the Humble Nikon FM2n – Johnny Martyr Nikon FM2/T Camera Review – Casual Photophile Market & Competitive Landscape Which Pentax Film Camera is Equal to Nikon FM2 – Pentax Forums Pentax LX Camera Review – Casual Photophile Olympus OM-1: The Small, Quiet Revolution in SLR Design – Kosmofoto The Dynamic Duo: Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 – Got Film Nikon FM10 or FM2 vs Canon AE-1 – Reddit Help with Nikon FM2 Price – DPReview Forums Nikon FM2 Worth $300? – Reddit r/AnalogCommunity Corporate Strategy & Industry Context History of Nikon Corporation – FundingUniverse Nikon's Strategy – Professionals and Hobbyists (BCG Forums) Strategy Study: The Nikon Growth Study – Cascade Nikon Corporate History The Rise and Crash of the Camera Industry – PetaPixel The Contraction of the Camera Market Part 1 – 678 Vintage Cameras The Rise of Digital Imaging and Fall of the Old Camera Industry – Luminous Landscape What Were the Most Popular Cameras in the 80s? – EverPresent Microeconomics & Accounting Vintage Cameras Market Size and Outlook 2031 – TechSci Research How to Account for Camera Depreciation Life – Asset Panda Thoughts on Usage Rates, Depreciation and Cash Flow – Photography Life Nikon End of Year Financial Reports FY2022 – Nikon Rumors The Current State and Future Development of Camera Manufacturing – EWA Direct Price Elasticity of Luxury Goods – KPMG (PDF) Marketing & Promotion Marketing Mix of Nikon and 4Ps – Marketing91 Camera Ads Straight From the 80s – Reddit r/AnalogCommunity How Nikon Marketing Builds a Loyal Community – PTEngine Steve McCurry | Nikon FM2 Marketing – Camera Owner Magazine (Facebook) Nikon Focuses on Tier II Cities, Widens Distributor Network – Economic Times Enjoy These Fujifilm, Kodak, and Nikon TV Ads from the 1980s – Casual Photophile

27 min
16 MAR

3DLANES #66 - The Volkswagen Touareg

Today we look into another Volkswagen product, the Touareg. Sources: Volkswagen Touareg – Wikipedia — Most comprehensive single reference covering all three generations, engines, production history, platform details, and sales data 20 Years of the Touareg – VW Newsroom — Anniversary release covering 2022 The First 21 Years – VW Newsroom — Inception and design history Current Touareg Generation Ends with "Final Edition" – VW Newsroom — Discontinuation announcement, Final Edition pricing, global sales totals Technical Data of the New Touareg Hybrid Models – VW Newsroom — Gen 3 eHybrid and Touareg R specifications VW to Discontinue Gas-Powered Touareg – CBT News — Discontinuation rationale and electric successor hints VW Is Killing Its Flagship SUV As It Bets On Cheaper Models – Carscoops — Strategic portfolio shift under Oliver Blume Volkswagen Is Saying Goodbye to Its Longest-Running SUV – Gear Patrol — Overview of the discontinuation Volkswagen Is Killing The Touareg After 24 Years – The Autopian — In-depth editorial on the Touareg's legacy and why it was underrated Volkswagen Discontinues Touareg Vehicle – Endurance Warranty — Summary of discontinuation factors Say Goodbye to the VW Touareg in the US – CNET — US-market exit in 2017 explained VW Retires Touareg After 24 Years – Reddit/r/cars — Community discussion with brand perception insights Hartmut Warkuss – Lifetime Achievement Award – Car Design News — Career overview and role at VW Group design Hartmut Warkuss – iF Design Jury Profile — Design background Murat Günak Named Head of Design at TOGG – Form Trends — Post-VW career context The Crazy Luxury Features of the First-Gen Touareg – Jalopnik — Gen 1 over-engineering and feature detail VW Touareg Years to Avoid – CarInterior/Alibaba — Known reliability issues by model year VW Touareg: Is It a Reliable Car? – Endurance Warranty — Suspension, timing chain, and coolant issues VW Touareg Suspension Issues – Brake & Front End — Air suspension failure detail VW Touareg Buyers Guide (2018–2025) – YouTube — Gen 3 powertrain prevalence data and known issues Touareg III 3.0 V6 TSI Specs – Auto-Data.net — Gen 3 petrol engine specifications FTC Charges Volkswagen – FTC.gov — Official US government charge Learn About Volkswagen Violations – EPA.gov — EPA regulatory details Volkswagen Emissions Scandal – EBSCO Research Starters — Academic overview of the scandal Never-Sold VW Touareg Diesels Now Command Huge Money – Edmunds — Post-Dieselgate unsold TDI inventory pricing Volkswagen Touareg Price by Year and Trim – CarInterior — MSRP history across generations Used VW Touareg Pricing Trends – CarGurus — Current used market values VW Touareg Research – Cars.com — Model year research and pricing VW Touareg W12 Values Today – HotCars — W12 collectible pricing Volkswagen Touareg Annual Sales Figures – Good Car Bad Car — Year-by-year US sales Volkswagen Launches Worldwide Marketing Campaign for New Touareg – YouTube/VW — 2018 Gen 3 campaign launch adam&eveDDB's Touareg Night Vision Campaign – Marcomm News — 2020 Black Edition campaign details VW Marketing Strategy – Digital Agency Network — Broader VW brand marketing context BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE vs VW Touareg 2019 – Drive.com.au — Pricing and segment benchmarking Touareg vs. Key Rivals – Times of Malta — Segment positioning Is VW Regretting the Name of Its Signature SUV? – Foreign Policy — Background on the "Tuareg" name origin and controversy

32 min
9 MAR

3DLANES #65 - Doxa Watches

Today we cover Doxa. Sources: DOXA official history page:https://doxawatches.com/pages/history Belmont Watches – “Doxa Watches: A Legacy Beneath the Surface”:https://www.belmontwatches.com/blogs/news/doxa-watches-a-legacy-beneath-the-surface Time+Tide – “A short history of DOXA, the brand that was almost lost to history”:https://timeandtidewatches.com/diving-into-doxa-watches-history/ The Hour Markers – “Tracing The Evolution Of DOXA Watches From 1880 To 2025”:https://thehourmarkers.com/articles/doxa-watches-history Teddy Baldassarre – “Doxa Sub Review: The Iconic Dive Watch You Should Know More About”:https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/doxa-sub-review Europa Star – “Doxa: the spectacular comeback”:https://www.europastar.com/the-watch-files/independent-watchmakers/1004093591-doxa-the-spectacular-comeback.html The Hour Glass – “Deep Diving Into Conversation with DOXA CEO Jan Edöcs”:https://www.thehourglass.com/story/jan-edocs-doxa-ceo-interview-watches-of-switzerland FH (Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry) – “Doxa 1889 pursues its international deployment”:https://www.fhs.swiss/eng/2019_09_05_03_Doxa_1889.html Analog:Shift – “A Guide to DOXA Dive Watches”:https://www.analogshift.com/blogs/transmissions/doxa-dive-watches-guide-history Fratello – “The Rolex Sea-Dweller Vs. Doxa's Sub 300T – A Battle For The Burly-Wristed”:https://www.fratellowatches.com/the-rolex-sea-dweller-vs-doxas-sub-300t-a-battle-for-the-burly-wristed/ Fratello – “Recap: The Best Dive Watches of 2023”:https://monochrome-watches.com/recap-best-dive-watches-2023-monochrome-watches-doxa-omega-tudor-longines-seiko/ Wrist Enthusiast – “12 Best Dive Watches Under $5,000 for 2025”:https://www.wristenthusiast.com/latest/dive-watches-under-5000 Teddy Baldassarre – “The 62 Best Dive Watches (2026)”:https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/best-dive-watches Deloitte – “Swiss watch industry study 2023” (PDF):https://www.wjinitiative2030.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Deloitte_swiss-watch-industry-study-2023_EN.pdf Deloitte – Swiss Watch Industry Study 2025 press release:https://www.deloitte.com/ch/en/about/press-room/swiss-watch-industry-study-2025.html FHH – “Swiss watch industry fights back”:https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/watches-and-culture/library/swiss-watch-industry-fights-back Swatch Group / COMCO material on ETA movements:https://monochrome-watches.com/swatch-group-ban-lifted-on-eta-movement-deliveries-industry-news/https://calibercorner.com/eta-watch-movements-unavailable/https://www.swatchgroup.com/en/services/archive/2019/mechanical-movements-comcos-dictate-harms-swiss-watch-industryhttps://www.hodinkee.com/articles/swatch-group-gets-green-light-in-mechanical-movements-case Microbrands list (market context):https://microbrandwatchworld.com/reviews/the-complete-microbrands-list/ Moneyhouse – Doxa Uhren AG registry entry:https://www.moneyhouse.ch/en/company/doxa-uhren-ag-21207787411 Grail Watch Wiki – Doxa entry:https://wiki.grail-watch.com/index.php/Doxa Market context on DOXA vs other luxury dive brands:https://lavianojewelers.com/blogs/news/how-do-doxa-watches-compare-to-other-luxury-dive-watch-brands Secondary market / pricing references (examples):https://www.chrono24.com/doxa/index.htmhttps://everywatch.com/doxa

26 min
2 MAR

3DLANES #64 - The Minolta XG-M: A Piece of Film Photography History

Today we talk about the Minolta XG-M a film camera that marked a transition period for the brand. Sources: Minolta XG-M – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta_XG-M LENS-DB – Minolta XG-M: https://lens-db.com/camera/minolta-xg-m-1982/ The Rokkor Files – Minolta XG Series: https://www.rokkorfiles.com/XG%20Series.htm Random Camera Blog – “The Minolta XG-M”: https://randomphoto.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-minolta-xg-m.html Aperture Preview – “The Legacy of Minolta”: https://www.aperturepreview.com/the-legacy-of-minolta Relics Film Lab – Minolta XG-M product page: https://relicsfilmlab.com/products/minolta-xg-m Kamerastore – Minolta XG-M listing: https://kamerastore.com/en-us/products/minolta-xg-m-minolta-md Etsy listing (example XG-M with 45mm f/2): https://www.etsy.com/listing/1863257614/minolta-xg-m-35mm-film-slr-camera-with Collectiblend – Minolta XG-M price guide: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Minolta/Minolta-XG-M.html 678 Vintage Cameras – “The Contraction(s) of the Camera Market – Part 2”: https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blog/the-contractions-of-the-camera-market-part-2 678 Vintage Cameras – “First Movers – Part 2”: https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blog/do-first-movers-always-win-part-2 Company-Histories.com – Minolta Co., Ltd.: https://www.company-histories.com/Minolta-Co-Ltd-Company-History.html PetaPixel – “Minolta: Tales of a Forgotten Camera Maker”: https://petapixel.com/minolta-history/ Canon AE-1 – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_AE-1 678 Vintage Cameras – “Minolta Capacitors”: https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blog/what-was-up-with-minolta-and-capacitors Everything Vintage – XG-M capacitor replacement: https://everythingvintage.uk/vintage-camera/minolta-xg-m-capacitor-replacement/ Photrio – XG-M capacitor replacement thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/minolta-xg-m-replacing-the-electrolytic-capacitors.203831/ Reddit – r/minolta XG-M reliability discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/minolta/comments/o8iicn/minolta_xgm_reliability/ Reddit – r/AnalogCommunity pricing/Minolta XG discussion (example): https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/ 1981 Minolta XG-M ad (example listing): https://www.ebid.net/us/for-sale/1981-minolta-xg-m-camera-ad-not-following-the-crowd-159299274.htm Etsy 1981 XG-M ad scan: https://www.etsy.com/listing/914585507/minolta-xg-m-ad-from-1981-81-lif-04 Minolta XG-M user manual (PDF): http://www.sandkuhl-online.de/Minolta/XG-Serie/XGM/UserManual/UM-XGM.pdf Minolta XG-M advertising brochure (PDF): https://www.rokkorfiles.com/Advertising/XG-M.pdf Capture.com – “20 1980s Cameras Ranked from Best to Worst”: https://www.capture.com/blogs/photo/1980s-camera-best-to-worst Bob Simmons Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/bobsimmons/p/still-the-perfect-starter-why-the?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

23 min
23 FEB

3DLANES #63 - Toyota Hybrid System- Pros but mostly Cons & Porter's Five Forces

We spoke about the Toyota hybrid system before, but what is the bad of it? I mean not everything can be positive. Find out here. Sources: Toyota Global – Toyota Hybrid System II overviewhttps://global.toyota/en/powertrain/ths/[global] Toyota UK – “Toyota hybrid – how does it work?”https://mag.toyota.co.uk/how-does-toyota-hybrid-work/[mag.toyota.co] Wikipedia – Hybrid Synergy Drivehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Synergy_Drive[en.wikipedia] Green Car Journal – Inside Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drivehttps://greencarjournal.com/dont-miss/inside-toyotas-hybrid-synergy-drive/[greencarjournal] PCauto – “Detailed analysis of Toyota's different hybrid systems: THS, HYBRID MAX, i-FORCE MAX, PHEV, Multi-stage”https://www.pcauto.com/my/news/detailed-analysis-of-toyotas-different-hybrid-systems-ths-hybrid-max-i-force-max-phev-multi-stage[pcauto] Toyota of Orlando – How is the Tundra hybrid system different from the Prius hybrid system?https://www.toyotaoforlando.com/blogs/6087/how-is-the-tundra-hybrid-system-different-from-the-prius-hybrid-system[toyotaoforlando] Whitby Toyota – i‑FORCE MAX Hybrid or Standard Engine (Tundra guide)https://www.whitbytoyota.com/en/news/view/i-force-max-hybrid-or-standard-engine-2025-toyota-tundra-buyer-s-guide/143797[whitbytoyota] Toyota Pressroom – Toyota Crown with HYBRID MAX powertrainhttps://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-crown-returns-to-the-us-with-bold-style-and-new-hybrid-max-powertrain/[pressroom.toyota] Car and Driver – Toyota Hybrid Cars: The Complete Lineup From Prius To Tundrahttps://www.caranddriver.com/features/g62840247/toyota-hybrid-cars/[caranddriver] Toyota UK – Why does Toyota use Atkinson cycle engines?https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-use-atkinson-cycle-engines/[mag.toyota.co] Wikipedia – Atkinson cyclehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_cycle[en.wikipedia] Green Car Reports – Study: Toyota has the longest‑lasting hybridshttps://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127273_study-toyota-has-the-longest-lasting-hybrids[greencarreports] A3 Global – How long should a hybrid battery last?https://www.a3global.com/how-long-should-hybrid-battery-last[a3global] Axio Auto – How long do Toyotas last?https://www.axioauto.com/blog/2025/october/1/how-long-do-toyotas-last-a-complete-guide-to-longevity-and-reliability.htm[axioauto] Crown Toyota – Hybrid Maintenance: Unveiling the Myths and Realitieshttps://www.crowntoyota.com/blogs/5040/hybrid-maintenance-unveiling-the-myths-and-realities[crowntoyota] Hagerty – Piston Slap: Hybrid Engine Wear When Cold?https://www.hagerty.com/media/advice/piston-slap/piston-slap-hybrid-engine-wear-when-cold/[hagerty] AutoExpert – The truth about oil dilution with fuel (and how you can fix it)https://autoexpert.com.au/posts/the-truth-about-oil-dilution-with-fuel-and-how-you-can-fix-it[autoexpert.com] Reddit – Oil dilution in 2023 Highlander Hybridhttps://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaHighlander/comments/1aknxne/oil_dilution_due_to_gasoline_in_my_2023/[reddit] Bob Is The Oil Guy – Hybrid ICE wear discussionhttps://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/hybrid-ice-wear.287947/[bobistheoilguy] GreenTec Auto – Toyota RAV4 Hybrid battery replacement cost in 2025https://greentecauto.com/toyota-rav4-hybrid-battery-replacement-cost-in-2025-everything-you-need-to-know/[greentecauto] Ken Ganley Toyota – Toyota Hybrid Battery Service & Replacement Costhttps://www.kenganleytoyotaakron.com/toyota-hybrid-battery-service[kenganleytoyotaakron]

21 min
16 FEB

3DLANES #62 - Auto Start-Stop Systems in Cars-Benefits and Disadvantages

There was a car feature that has been not banned but "discouraged" for automakers, the auto start-stop system. Is it worth having it? Or is it better to get rid of it? Find out more here. Sources: Consumer Reports – “Does the Start/Stop Function Really Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy?”https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/does-start-stop-function-really-improve-cars-fuel-economy-a10282359consumerreports+1 Edmunds – “Do Stop-Start Systems Really Save Fuel?”https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/do-stop-start-systems-really-save-fuel.html[edmunds] USA Today (Edmunds data summary) – “Does auto start-stop actually save you gas when driving?”https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/research/2025/09/08/auto-start-stop-disable-good-for-car-fuel-effiency/85972474007/[usatoday] AAA – “AAA’s Tests Reveal Real-World Benefits of Automatic Stop-Start Technology”https://newsroom.aaa.com/2014/07/aaas-tests-reveal-real-world-benefits-automatic-stop-start-technology/[newsroom.aaa] NAPA – “Stop-Start Technology — Pros and Cons”https://knowhow.napaonline.com/stop-start-technology-pros-and-cons/napatexas+1 SAE / ORNL technical paper – “Auto Stop-Start Fuel Consumption Benefits”(SAE landing page) https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2023-01-0346/[sae](ORNL summary) https://www.ornl.gov/publication/auto-stop-start-fuel-consumption-benefits[ornl] New York Times – “Trump Administration Ends Credit for Start-Stop Feature in Cars”https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/business/energy-environment/epa-tax-credits-stop-start-ignition-cars.html[nytimes] AutoConnectedCar – “EPA Rescinds Endangerment Finding & Kills Start-Stop Off-Cycle Credits”https://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2026/02/epa-rescinds-endangerment-finding-kills-start-stop-off-cycle-credits/[autoconnectedcar] Fox News – “Obama-era greenhouse gas rules gone as EPA’s Zeldin signs ‘single largest deregulatory action’ in history”https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-era-greenhouse-gas-rules-gone-epas-zeldin-signs-single-largest-deregulatory-action-history[foxnews]

20 min
9 FEB

3DLANES #61 - The Porsche 911E, not an EV

The Porsche 911E, another iteration of the 911. But what made it so special that needed a different letter after the 911 designation? Fuel Injection.

16 min
2 FEB

3DLANES #60 - The Hasselblad 500 Series

The Hasselblad 500 series? Do you know how many iterations are there? Me either, but we can find out together on this episode. I call this camera the speedmaster of the film cameras, find out why.

28 min

3DLANES explores mechanical culture through cars, watches, and photography.

Creator

Denny Laines
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

68
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Denny Laines
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3DLANES