It is easy to note that A700 is still a very hot favorite for many keen and skilled professional and advanced amateurs photographers. There are many reportings of it gradually disappearing in a phased manner on many Sony Official Sites and from the manufacturing facilities. After that when I look at the official Indian Sony Site (Sony India), I find that the company is maintaining a steady campaigning--singing its virtues and doing its best to sell it here.
When I see it, I start thinking about the policy of Sony in India. Many nagging questions crop up:
(1) Has India become a dumping ground for Sony for outdated or almost outdated SLR cameras?
(2) Sony India is constantly dumping 18-70 kit lens with it. What a mis-match it is! When even the newer kit lens, which is claimed to be better than this lens, has become available, Sony is still forcing the buyers to buy 18-70 with A700. Look at the Sony India Site today and you will find there these words:
“Capture the moment with today's most exciting DSLR. Shoot in razor-sharp detail with 12.24 megapixel clarity, quicker response and greater creativity. Included with the versatile SAL1870 all-purpose lens that's perfect for wide-angle scenes and indoor people-shots.
Standard Retail Price:
MRP Rs. 74,990 /-*”
And I don’t think that any skilled photographer would like to have either of the kit lenses with A700 which Sony is forcing on the Indian customers. Does it not amount to the dumping of the goods which are not desired elsewhere in the world?
(3 ) The feeling that Sony has made India a dumping a ground is enhanced considerably when we look at the price of camera at Rs. 74,990 with “versatile” 18-70. Convert the rupees into dollars and see for yourself whether the picture becomes any clearer. Does this practice not amount to coercion, mis-guiding and unethical business practice taking advantage of the current Indian scenario or rather exploiting the ignorance of the Indian buying public?
(4) Or in spite of all the criticism of Sony that I have made so far, should we think other way round? That there is a blessing in disguise! That while the world over the fans of A700 are lamenting the demise and disappearance of the camera India is the place and would perhaps remain the only place on the earth for many years to come where A700 would still be readily available. Lucky, fortunate Indian in that respect! Isn’t it like that?
(5) Hence the final question: Is India fortunate or unfortunate in having an ample, nay seemingly inexhaustible stock of A700?
Arun Gaur
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