<they simply thought digital market was not going to be so successful>
David,
I think that Kodak saw the writing on the wall very early, but had no
idea about how to make a business out of the digital camera market. They were
absolutely pioneers in developing the basic Digital camera technology.
Fairchild developed the basic CCD image sensor in 1973 for industrial use, but
Kodak built the very first proto-type digital-camera in 1975, using a Fairchild
sensor with 10k B&W pixels.
Sony built the first real portable p/s "electronic camera" in 1981 but it was
not a digital camera it recorded analog sensor signals, like video analog
recording but a single frame.
If you look at the very first pro-digital (SLR) cameras (1.3Mpixel) they were
all Kodak cameras starting in 1991 and built mainly on Nikon bodies using Kodak
sensors. see details here
: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Kodak/index.htm ; It took 8
years (1999) before a major camera vendor introduced an in house DSLR (Nikon
D1, 2 Mpixels)
Kodak developed a huge amount of early digital camera/sensor IP, mainly on CCD
technology. This included the Beyer sensor layout named after the Kodak
scientist who developed it, and which is used by all manufacturers now, except
Foveon. Also consumer things like Photo-cd. Fairly early on Sony, developed
a lot of CCD IP too, particularly in very fine pixel sensors for video cameras
with built in electronic rolling shutters etc.
Recently of course (2000 on), Canon and others have developed innovative CMOS
sensor technology as well, but Kodak had actually seen the writing on the wall
many years before , they just did not know how to transition from film
and create a new electronic camera mass market business. My guess is the
company was split internally too, and had difficulty deciding to go whole hog
and cannibalize the old business.
Tim Hughes
--- On Wed, 11/4/09, David Irisarri Vila <div2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: David Irisarri Vila <div2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [OM] E-P2 to be announced tomorrow
To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 8:45 AM
I still can remember when Kodak had to fire thousands of workers
because they simply thought digital market was not going to be so
successful. While Canon was manufacturing their CMOS sensors, KODAK
was still thinking about film halide.
Obviously something very similar is happening again. DSLR market is
changing again very harshly. It seems mirrorless cameras will be very
successful and compact cameras will disappear. One point for Olympus,
they are aware of market movements.
Kodak is losing market very fast with their Easyshare compact cameras.
On the other hand Nikon, Canon, Samsung, etc... are preparing their
attack against micro fourthirds. Kodak must jump to micro fourthirds
to survive. I am pretty sure they have a new fourthirds sensor
prepared. Maybe E-P2 won´t take a Kodak sensor but Kodak is round the
corner for sure. We´ll see again micro/fourthirds cameras with Kodak
sensors for sure.
Dave
El 04/11/2009, a las 16:47, iwert bernakiewicz escribió:
> Hello David,
>
> I think you'll be in for a big disappointment. Maybe in the next
> model,
> but I doubt superior performance unless new lenses are announced,
> multispot, probably long forgotten, kodak, who's kodak?, and for the
> digital viewfinder: these diamonts are way to complicated for
> point and shooters, so we have no point... I hope there is some
> information
> in the finder at all!
>
> Iwert
>
> ps: YM is in a way better place now probaly, so all this earthly
> hassle
> doesn't interest him anymore :)
>
> 2009/11/4 David Irisarri Vila <div2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>> Hey guys!!!!
>>
>> I am terribly anxious :)
>>
>> The concept behind PEN system is the same one inspired the Olympus OM
>> System. Precision engineering for compactness and superior
>> performance
>> to handle any situation.
>>
>> Will E-P2 be the first one to bring back the legendary OM4 multispot
>> metering?
>>
>> Will E-P2 take again a KODAK imaging sensor for ultra high dynamic
>> range and stunning color rendition?
>>
>> Will we able to see through the new VF-2 those lovely diamonds to see
>> the relative EV values through a 1.15X 100% viewfinder? Ansel Adams
>> zone system is back!
>>
>> Will we able to see the new replacement of Zuiko 50/1.4 MC lens? I
>> hope so :)
>>
>> Let´s cross fingers :) The perfect camera is round the corner !!!
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> VIVA Yoshihisa Maitani !!! Your legacy will be continued.
>>
> --
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