Well you're right, Nikon did take a long time to listen, that I can't deny. But eventually the penny did drop with them, and they are listening now. How many more times does everybody have to ask for better screens on the MFDB's before it's done. Forget about the pixel race, just improve the product as James has repeatedly said.
If they did that as well as making them cheaper then more photographers would make the switch. The MFDB makers need to win over more 35mm shooters and they're going the wrong way about it. It's survival time for them especially with Photokina approaching and all the new DSLR cameras about to hit the market.
Cheers
Pete
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I think Blad is hitting it out of the park with dslr shooters, especially those that never shot film. To them the H3D2 series is like a bigger, slower 1ds series camera, what with its single battery and big screen. The name has a heritage and history many of the dslr guys do not understand, but they know it is "the best". I hear this all the time from assistants/students and even amatures on the street. The H3D2 is an object of desire for the target market in a way that Mamiya/Rollei can never be. The t/s adapter is a fantastic option and shows that Blad isn't just a marketing machine, but is catering to the needs of real photographers.
The real challenge is not limited to Blad, but is rather aimed at the entire MFDB industry. The backs need to be cheaper and offer more features. The market for photography, for most shooters, can barely support the purchase of a 5D and a few lenses. rates are down or stagnant. Into this mix you throw in a $20k digital purchase and realize that you still need that 35mm digital to shoot certain things? If they want to sell more of these, ensuring that there is enough room for the 4 back makers, then get real and go for volume. Make the market. Then maybe we'll get screens that are usable.
And I hate to harp on about video but for $6500 and associated computers you can make more money on a day rate basis, for jobs that are easier to land, than with $25k - $40k worth of MF gear. I was about to buy a 1ds3 but decided to get a Sony EX1 instead. I like stills better than video, but from a business perspective, the investment in video is much, much smarter.
So here it is: MFDB makers, lower your prices if you want to survive. If not I think we'll only have Blad and Sinar left, Blad because their marketing is so good and Sinar because of their expertise with technical cameras. The market is only so big when its a $20k investment.