bcooter,
I am getting a bit tired to get bashed all the time (together with other MF players), especially if it is to repeat x-times the same again and again. I guess I have got your message since a little while now.
No world is perfect, but "we" are working on it to make it better. So it is with the MF AND with SLR markets.
I have informed about new Sinar prices (see above). These prices have been communicated last mid of the week to our distributors: if those are now not yet out and known by the dealers, it is not a crime, and certainly doesn't deserve your outcry. Let this persons, most of them dedicated and knowledgeable ones, a bit of time to get it right.
Thanks for your understanding and best regards,
Thierry
Thierry -
I don't blame you for your frustration with such posts. You are a beacon of a light in this otherwise dimmed room. First, let us applaud your efforts and patience, and hope that such grumping does not deter you from helping us all out.
It is wonderful to hear such news from Sinar that you have posted. Its really interesting, and there are a number of us (I suspect) lurking in the wings getting ready to move from offstage to participating in MFDB.
The frustration you hear is that of a recognition of a good product, Europe based, that somehow seems to have trouble getting into the US. The frustration is twofold: first, that of the user who is a bit stymied (I live in Chicago, and its still none too easy to participate in the Hy6 phenomenon), and second, that of interested and respectful people, who admire the product and wish that the barriers between good product and end user would somehow .... dissipate.
I've enjoyed many obscure products from Europe and overseas over the years, and am used to the rather awkward mesh of American marketplace and European models of manufacturing and distribution. I don't know how many of my peers have had that experience directly - but it is a bit of a challenge. And with the more exotic (= smaller production numbers, higher complexity) products, the more challenged is the rational distribution model, which to be sure, is not quite in place.
For other examples, look at all the European producers of fine cars that have not been able to penetrate the US market. Its hard for these manufacturers to grasp the scale of the US, and the high level of expectations of support and availability that the US market tends to demand.
For those who want the Canikon experience, one must recommend they either stay with that realm, or go to Hassy. For Hassy has that level of broad base exposure and also expertise in their marketing. For those who are looking for exemplary products of singular distinction, for a particular engineering approach that might be different (and I'd argue the Hy6 is just that) , well, accept that the marketing is a second priority. For some small manufacturers, its reasonable that the expertise is in the product,and patience is needed in the distribution.
Keep this in mind, please: if Sinar and other small manufacturers were as clear on the marketing and distribution side as we'd like, they might not make the products they make. They make from a belief, and then sell from that perspective. It can be frustrating at times, and even a bit awkward to see the misteps, but they believe in what they do. Sure, we'd all like a better a distribution channel, and more exposure, and more centralized communication, and less glitches in pricing exercises, but thankfully at least the product is out there.
So again, Theirry, thanks for your patience, and apologies for the long discourse.
Geoff