Come on "guys"!.....This wasn't really unexpected to any rational person.
My take:
- They have stretched the existing stock of OM-System componants as far as
they can and can't supply dealer orders anymore. It's been many years since
the manufacturing line has run any core OM products (lenses or bodies).
I'll bet the orders have been paultry anyway.
- The strategy of raising prices on sunk-cost inventory has worked,
allowing them to continue to offer a prestigous, professional line at
minimal cost. The profits also provided a small subsidy to the company to
help with digital R&D (I'll bet it was VERY small).
- This announcement of the end of the OM-System conveniently coincides with
the upcoming introduction of their professional, digital,
interchangable-lens SLR. So they've weathered the storm and now have a new
line to carry the high-end torch forward. The archaic OM-System ends up on
the proverbial trash heap.
Personally, as I've said many time in this forum - The OM-System is dead.
Long live the OM-System!
Bring on the new SLR - I'll be in the market in 2 years for something like
it.
Skip
From: alias@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Reply-To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] The end of OM??
Date: 17 Jan 2002 12:08:04 -0000
The Japanese news release translated by excite.co.jp.
Is this for the Japanese market only?
Chris Lee
Hong Kong
Sale of 35mm single-lens reflex camera system "OM system" is ended.=20
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (president Kikugawa ?) ends the body
"OM-3Ti" of 35mm single-lens reflex camera system "OM system", and
sale of "OM-4Ti BLACK" lately. Moreover, it is ended after continuing
sale about the lens and accessories of OM system which produce at
present till the end of March, 2003.
=20
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