Sorry Guy but that doesn't hold water. The actual cost for Phase on the P backs outside of the sensor should have dropped considerably over the years ................snip.............
It's the sixth year of the same P chassis. I can only assume they are redesigning it now, it not, then someone with more foresight needs to take the helm. I only hope the redesign is truly foreword thinking and not lukewarm. Live view, tilting screen, iPhone screens, wireless, and plenty more should be part of that new design. If not, just lame.
I think Phase got a deal on those little black metal boxes, with a 2" hole for the lcd and 4 slits for control buttons.
Or they overbought. You get the feeling somebody wrote the Purchase Order for 65,000, instead of 650 and unfortunately like twinkies, they don't have an expiration date.
Once they get near the bottom of the box, they'll probably come out with a new one, though I fear it will be from the same manufacturer which will have a 2.5" hole.
We know Leaf must have got a deal on those 22 pixel lcd's because those things are never going away even if they make a 180 mpx back.
Hasselblad must have bought their boxes a little wiser because they do change them.
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Guy you obviously based a part of your business model around associations with some people that sell and make equipment, so YOU might pay for it but not that many working photographers rush down to the local "Specialty Digital Camera, Value Added Dealer" every time somebody announces another 30 mega something.
Most photographers use their equipment until the paint falls off, or rent and like Ziocan says most really good photographers don't see that much if any difference between version pee something 5 to the next version pee something 6.
Now if the current business model/time line holds, by the time Phleamam has live view or a real wireless system, Canons will shoot 3d holographs, have built in steady-cams and costs 50 pesos. Hasselblad will have a 14" lcd though I'm positive Phase will have 12 more megapixels than anyone.
You or any photographer don't HAVE to buy new stuff to stay competitive, at least not new expensive stuff at every announcement I know because those contaxessss I use shoot the same today as they did 5 years ago, the checks still clear the bank and life goes on.
BC