I doubt that was the case of the Epson RD-1, or any Voightlander Bessa film model for that matter as they were aimed directly at the existing Leica s and l lens base. I doubt that Cosina doesn't at least break even, (cover R&D, all manufacturing costs and return on investment), on every unit sold. They have to or they wouldn't stay in business for long.
Anthony Farr wrote: > Actually, what I was trying to say is that the price of DSLRs is not the > real, standalone price of a unique product. It is a subsidised price, > where the manufacturer will accept a reduced profit or even a loss in > order to tap the more lucrative lens sales that should ensue, or to deny > a sale to a rival. > > If you propose a product that quarantines the manufacturer from his > extended income, and he sees that he cannot hope to sell enough cameras > at the real, unsubsidised price to break even, then he won't bother at > all to bring it to market. The only way to circumvent this situation is > to emulate the Arabian prince, and privately fund the project up front > with no profit motive attached. The maker could, probably would still > decline the commission as it would not enhance his position in his > chosen marketplace. > > Personally, I've always liked modular cameras, and would jump at the > multi-platform camera described elsewhere in this thread. But that > faces the same hurdle as a dedicated M42 DSLR. I don't believe any > maker wants to assist their own customers to purchase lucrative > accessories from a competitor. > > Regards, > Anthony Farr > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of > J. C. O'Connell > Sent: Thursday, 22 February 2007 7:39 PM > To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' > Subject: RE: 85mm f1.8 SMCT on ebay : $400+ > > I dont agree that a M42 DSLR based on licensed existing DSLR body > and just modified to do M42 auto apeture would be very > expensive to develop or produce. And it certainly > would be nothing like the cost of a one-off exotic lens if thats > what your trying to say. > jco > > > > -- -- The more I know of men, the more I like my dog. -- Anne Louise Germaine de Stael -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net