>>> Because for the cost of developing and tooling up for a very expensive >>> camera you want to sell it to beyond your current user base, i.e., get >>> people to switch brands. A flagship camera has an advertising role >>> beyond that of only a picture taking machine. >> >> Oh, okay. Well, I buy that. I've seen it happen. > > Sometimes I suspect it's the *main* reason for a flagship camera.
Perhaps. The problem right now is that the "flagship effect" has very definitely switched over to the digital realm. Sales of top film SLRs are way down. Film SLRs are old hat and yesterday's news, and are unlikely to have the effects Bruce is talking about. I do buy his points about the reasons for a flagship; I just think that the EOS 1Ds is Canon's flagship right now and the Nikon 1Dx is Nikon's. The EOS-1V and F5 are not currently impressing anybody. --Mike
