http://db.riskwaters.com/public/showPage.html?page=195980
<x-tad-bigger>Fujifilm's medium exit
</x-tad-bigger>Last week's prediction in BJP that just two or three companies will continue to serve the medium format market is a step nearer reality with the news that Fujifilm has ceased production of its cameras
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</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-smaller>The admission came from Richard Linney of Fujifilm UK, recently appointed as product manager of the newly formed Photo Imaging Group, in which the company's professional and consumer units will now operate.
While confirming that the company has stopped manufacturing medium format bodies, Linney said that Fujifilm is still making accessories for the GX617 and GX680 and still has stock of these models available for retail.
He added: 'The factory in Japan can still manufacture these models if there is a large enough order.'
He was keen, however, to state that the company will be able to deal with reburbishes of all models saying: 'We have been led to believe by Japan that they will service the medium format range and make repairs', adding that this may continue for seven to 10 years.
This move will be of little surprise to many as rumours have been circulating about the demise of Fujifilm's medium format range since March last year, when a Fujifilm spokesman admitted to BJP that it was likely that the GA645zi, the GW670 and GW690/GSW690 models would be discontinued.
Graham Rutherford, who is shortly to retire from his position as Fujifilm's director of professional imaging in the UK, responded at the time saying that no decision had been made about the future of the range. He did say though that some countries had decided to stop selling the cameras.
He added that the UK market remained healthy and hoped that plans to phase them out would therefore be reversed. Instead, production continued to be scaled down as Fujifilm staggered the termination of different models.
http://www.photoscala.com/node/view/417
</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-bigger>Medium format news
</x-tad-bigger>from editor in chief at Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 15:05
During and after photokina some things happened in the medium format sector, too. Short summary: There are new cameras, but new flops as well:
ALPA widened its accessories for the ALPA 12 with some fine lenses and more: see New lenses and accessories for the ALPA 12.
Bronica: Tamron (which bought Zenza-Bronica) informed about the fact that the whole range of medium format SLRs will be discontinued as of October 31, 2004. Depending on local laws in the different countries repair service will continue for a given time: In the States for example repair service for all warranty and out-of-warranty repair service obligations will continue for seven years until October 31, 2011.
The Bronica RF645 range finder medium format camera will continue to be distributed,
In the future, Bronica will „dedicate even more resources to developing optics for the digital age, particularly those for digital SLR cameras, currently the fastest growing segment of camera products according to industry analysts“.
Contax: No news. They are not very engaged in the medium format sector any more, seemingly.
Hasselblad announced the H1D, basically a H1 with integrated digital back (22 megapixels) and improved communication between body and back.
Latest rumours assume discontinuance of the 200 series (read at MacGuardians). Further information at Hasselblad.
Mamiya introduced a digital medium format camera: see Mamiya ZD and Mamiya ZD Back.
Pentax Germany recently updated its price list for consumers and the whole medium format equipment is still available: Pentax D price list.
Rollei is selling its analogue medium format cameras still quite well, especially in South East Asia: see Interviewing Rollei.
WICA: The sturdy and well thought-out WICA is available. See The WICA.
(thoMas)
