This is an ongoing problem. Independant stores are generally limited in what
they can carry by the amount of money they have available. Most are limited
volume operations, so they pay the highest wholesale, and must carefully
consider each purchase. They wisely choose to stock the items that they sell
more of faster. For those of us that choose Olympus (or Pentax, or Leica, or
Hasselblad), were generally screwed.
Our local store here carries a full line of Canon, but not of Nikon. He
indicates that Nikon prefers to sell to big box stores and high volume
specialty retailers. He has noted that Sony has shown an interest in getting
the line in his store, something that I think shows their interest in
maintaining the SLR line, as they are well represented in the big boxes.
In years gone by, I would have said that this was short sighted, as no one
would be activily promoting a line. Today, I don't think it much matters,
since cameras have become a commodity, like computers and TV's.
Where do people buy lines like Olympus and Pentax? The store in Houston does
have a decent stock of E's and lenses, relatively speaking. I would suppose
that someday, they'll have an E3, and in places like Chicago, Los Angeles
and New York, there will be fondling opportunities. Otherwise, who knows...
I'lll be in Chicago over Christmas, and I plan a visit to Calumet. I may
find myself joining Brother Scales, and return to the Nikon fold.
No, not getting out of OM, just not comfortable with the E's.
Bill Pearce
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