----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Studdert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
So which way to view the remaining contenders in the market. All poised to
fail
due to a generally weak market or more opportunity to prosper due to
reduction
of competition in the market?
Neither. The failure of the Mamiya was due to price and the fact that it was
hardly available before it was dropped. The lens line-up wasn't extensive
either. Mamiyas brand recognition in a high-tech environment is zero and
significantly worse than Pentax. A camera like this need to sell in much
larger qualitities than digital backs for old cameras as it is more
expensive to deveolp.
It really is just a matter of price. Wereas Mamiya was totally dependend on
making money on such a cameras as it it was thebuilding block of their whole
image division (the film MF gear doesn't sell any longer), Pentax is not.
The Pentax have potential to be cheaper due to the Kodak sensor and the fact
that the 645D is built on a an older body. In addition, a 645D could work as
a loss leader for Pentax as they aren't dependent on the MF line-up.
I think the Pentax 645D has a big market potential (depending on price).
Pål
