I really don't want to get sucked into this debate, but I'll add one thought.
Talk to a VAR who sells MF digital backs, and ask them about the cost of sales and support, and the margins that they need to provide these. Things aren't as simple as they might appear.
A box seller might do OK with 5-10% margin. Unless a VAR makes at least 20 points, and preferably more, they aren't going to stay in business long, and then where will you buy your back from?
And who's going to come to your studio and help out when something goes wrong, and where are you going to get a loaner when you have a raft load of expensive models and a pissed off art director breathing down your neck, and your back goes south on a Friday afternoon?
Michael
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Michael,
With all due respect I'm not against the dealer system, though if a photographer has their s^%t together they should have backups and know what to do.
From the professional side, especially in the large markets, a lot of photographers have moved into the world of not really knowing their equipment, (not just cameras) and rely on a room full of "specialists" to do everything.
Some of that is good, though regardless of anyone's personal business system, I think it's almost lazy that a photograher doesn't know how to work a digital camera and the software.
To begin with they are much easier than before. Even ol' 3.78 with Phase is pretty much a plug and play system once you've spent a day learning the software.
Now as far as my system, I invest in my business including equipment. From a lot of photographers I've been told for years this is foolish as the thought is rent it and "let the client pay for it", which is fine, I guess as long as the market is strong.
In the challanged times we have now, that becomes more difficult and surely less profitable for the photogrpaher.
For years I've had a system where every large project I buy something, maybe lights, maybe rollers, maybe a lens or a camera body but I buy it and roll it into the produciton.
Today the budgets I see from clients are still good, but very bottom line based and if you own your own equipment (and know how to work it) your in a much more competiitive and profitable situation.
As far as dealers and their tech help, well some are good, some are not so good, but the loaner system just doesn't work under large production. After all who has a day to wait for a backup or even 4 hours.
Once again I appreciate the good dealers like Capture Integration and PPR and even Karen at Samys, (I am sure there are many others), but I can promise you if my Phase backs go down and whether I'm shooting in a studio in culver city or El Mirage they are not going to get me a camera in 30 minutes probably not in a day, especially in a Contax mount.
If you have your own backups and know your s*&t, you don't have a room full of pissed off art directors or models standing around talking on thier cell phones.
Still my way (and I'm not sayng my way is the best way, its just the way that works for me) is to know how to use what I own and though I hire gaffers, grip, assistants, swings, etc. I would not be comfortable not knowing how to do the artistic and technical aspects of my job.
As far as learning these systems go, if someone can't go on the web, download or read a few turtorials (yours included) and not learn how to work this stuff, then why become a photographer in the first place?
I commend Hasselblad's price system and hope it continues. It will put more pressure on the makers to make the euqipment eaiser to work, easier to own and allow the photogrpaher affordable backups.
In fact from your business model, I would think the more people that own equipment, the more market you have to sell your instructional videos. If there were 25,000 hasselblad, or phase users you could turn out videos on how to work those systems.
JR