OK, now I'm more than confused; I'm verging on angry.
The Hy6 project was heralded as this big open platform, the idea being that a new, advanced camera would be a potential platform for various digital backs. Then (and, in fact, in this very forum), it was stated that "only two manufacturers are currently on board, but nothing would preclude other manufacturers from making backs/adapters for the Hy6." (That's not a direct quote, but it's my best recollection)
NOW, if I'm hearing Theirry and Yair correctly, none of the above is true. Rather, there will be a Sinar Hy6, which will ONLY use Sinar backs, and there will be a Leaf AFi, which will ONLY use Leaf backs. That's it. So, the Hy6 platform is only "open" if you define open as "limited to two back manufacturers and no one else (Leaf and Sinar)" rather than "limited to one back manufacturer and no one else (Hassy's approach)."
Yippee for Leaf and Sinar (and Jenoptik), if they think that business model will increase their profits. It's a pretty crappy model from the consumer's perspective, however. Granted, I have a bit of "sour grapes" because I use Phase, which will apparently be locked out of the Hy6 project, but if I really want a Hy6 bad enough, I'll just sell or swap my Phase back and get a Leaf or Sinar instead, which is, of course, what Jenoptik/Leaf/Sinar would like to happen. At this point, however, I'd be highly unwilling to do so out of spite because I resent any "closed" model.
The philosophy behind antitrust laws and laws against "tie-ins" is that more choice is always better from the consumer's perspective. No, I'm not suggesting that there's anything illegal here, I'm making a broader point. Regardless of legality, these sort of decisions are bad from the consumer's perspective, as Michael so elequently stated regarding Hassy's H3 and with regard to pushing for more manufacturers to adopt the open DNG RAW format. I don't know if he feels the same way about the way this Hy6 issue is evolving, but I certainly do.
Regardless: it looks like the Hy6 is off the table for me now and I'll stick with the Contax.
So all this talk of 'evil' Hasselblad having a closed system appears to be exactly the same strategy of Leaf and Sinar?
Perhaps it is time to realise that more integrated cameras are a better choice for us photographers in terms of features and value for money?
Jo S. x
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