SO there are three major forces right now - Hasselblad, F&HLS, and Mamiya/Phase. How much more consolidation could REALLY happen?
Hasselblad - has made it clear what they think of their customers in recent months by axing support for H1 and H2, and their sights are clearly set on a digital-only future. Those of you with shiny new H3Ds and H3DIIs...how long before an H4D comes along and they pull the plug on supporting your rig?
F&H, Sinar, Leaf - seems Thierry is the only person who think their equipment is in line with the rest of the competition. Sorry, Thierry, but the prices I have seen in the US don't jive. Bottom line is, a new system at a higher price point = a gamble. This conglomerate will need to focus on strengthening its existing customer base and leveraging its existing relationships within the professional photographic community if it wants to keep its head above water.
Mamiya/Phase - They had no choice to but to pair up given the circumstances But this duo, to me it seems, offers the most bang for the buck. Mamiya had the foresight to see a need to introduce a MF rig at a pricepoint that would be attractive to those shooting FF 35mm. They also realized they needed to support their existing customer base, hence the separate ZD back. Phase One has always supported Mamiya, and is the only company that still offers open support for multiple systems. As long as Mamiya keeps focusing on breaking with convention, and Phase continues to innovate, they're not going anywhere.
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What you are saying about Hasselblad dropping support for the H1/H2 could not be more incorrect. With the Hasselblad Customer Care Program, Hasselblad has committed
in writing to supporting H1/H2 cameras for years, and that is regardless of whose back is attached. See below:
"Under the
Extended Service Option, in addition to standard Hasselblad service policies, you are guaranteed service and spare parts for all H1 and H2 products for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase. It also includes a product renewal/replacement guarantee for 5 years from time of purchase covering catastrophic situations where your camera is lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair.
The Trade-up Program allows all existing H1 and H2 camera owners to trade up to one of a variety of the most recent model configurations for a special price.
Please note that the Trade-up Program also includes very favorable trade-up options for owners of H1 and H2 cameras and third party digital backs.
The Refurbishment Program provides a factory check of the camera body consisting of maintenance and cleaning as well as repair or replacement of any components that require attention. All electronics will be replaced or upgraded to the most recent H2 standards and this service includes a 12 month full product warranty from date of refurbishment. After registering your camera body at
www.hasselblad.com/hcare, you will receive a voucher giving you a one-time-only option to have your camera body refurbished for only $1,349 at any time through December 31, 2011.
No one buying an H3DII has any reason to be concerned that the shipment of H4D's will signal the end of support for the H3D/H3DII. In addition to the H1/H2 Customer Care Program, Hasselblad continues to support and service digital backs from years and years ago, and further,
continues to boost features for those older, legacy products from 5 and 6 years ago via free firmware upgrades.I believe they have done an outstanding job with their committment to supporting and servicing legacy products.
Honestly, I have no idea who will be "left standing". But you have to remember these companies that offer advanced technology often take a long time to die.
[a href=\"http://tinyurl.com/35ogm5]http://tinyurl.com/35ogm5[/url]
Steve Hendrix
www.ppratlanta.com/digital.php
