I agree totally. In Sweden, the MZ-S is on the website but all shops I have
talked with complain about the lack of marketing support from Pentax Sweden.
One of the major pro designated photo shops in Stockholm hesitated about
having the MZ-S on the shelf since the price was rather high for their idea
of a Pentax customer. They sell all other models, but concentrate upon
Nikon, Leica and Hasselblad. However, the first page of their website is
since the last days totally dominated by the MZ-S, so obviously they decided
to stock it - perhaps the fact that I ordered the 77/1.8 from them helped a
little...
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Brooks [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: den 17 augusti 2001 15:15
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: Re: MZ-S Designers' Story (Parts 1-3)
Somewhere amongst hundreds of messages Tom Rittenhouse wrote:
"You guys sure you want Pentax to advertise like those other companies. Me?
I figure the reason Pentax is reasonably priced is they don't have the huge
advertising expense their competitors do. But, if the important thing is
your friends recognizing what a great camera you have because they read
about it in all those ads....
- --To0m"
Pentax DOES advertise. It's just that they advertise spectacle lenses in a
photography mag. Why? and why is the MZ-S still not on the UK website? and
why is the MZ-7 the only SLR subject to promotion?
In many ways it's fantastic that Pentax users, including me, are so
brand-loyal that they are frustrated by this, but looking at it more
matter-of-factly, the only reason that Pentax "supports" their users is that
they make money by selling their gear.
If they sell more gear by increasing their market-share, then us users will
get more support, and the prices will be lower to boot! On the other hand,
if Canon continue to convince nearly all SLR newbies that their product is
somehow "better" than the other brands, Pentax will slowly but surely
concentrate their efforts on more profitable lines like Espio (IQ zoom) P&S.
Take a UK photo mag and look at how many of the reader-submitted pics are
taken with a Pentax. It's not a comforting number.
A photographic chain-store in the north of England does not carry Pentax as
"it doesn't sell". This is a vicious circle - it's not going to sell if they
don't carry it. I CARE about this because I want to be able to spend lots of
money on Pentax products in the future.
It's all very well building a great product - and Pentax is undoubtedly a
GREAT PRODUCT, but it's almost negligent to fail to promote it and just
assume people will flock to buy it. My impression is that Pentax expects
buyers of their higher-end models to have researched all the options and
made an informed decision. Fair enough for those careful and methodical
people, but there are plenty of people that are wooed by an impressive piece
of advertising, or a snappy slogan, who will spend the money on whatever has
the most showroom appeal.
It's not about impressing friends with gear, but about ensuring that this
great camera company, which we are all so passionate about, continues to
thrive and churn out wonderful new products on a regular basis.
It's Friday and now I am getting off my soapbox.
Jim Brooks
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