Slow Web Site

I read all the references stated here. The Ken Rockwell material could have been better written I feel. But, I get the points given. It is difficult understanding a comparison to some very inexpensive (cheap) cameras as they are not an apples to apples comparison. The Leica S2 should be in the list of comparisons! Perhaps an independent lab would be a better choice. It has always been a chore finding those on the internet for any camera product.

The Mamiya site is confusing and slow. Perhaps it is for access by only Americans? I tried the International source area and it was actually dead, with no navigational capacity at all for identifying countries that sell and service this product.

That for me is the clincher.... getting service when I travel.... and of course by a fully educated Mamiya specialist (with parts at hand). I do not know if there is an international warranty either. So I guess everything has to be sent back to the USA! (I heard of an USA purchased M9 needing 2 months to be corrected as it had to be sent to Germany.)

In closing I can see this as an interesting tool that would be very useful for better image quality. Medium format cameras are up in the air these times as the competion from smaller DSLRs seem to be pushing them off the radar of purchasers.

This price reduction / firming up, may be a desperate need to survive on the part of Mamiya. Rollei/ Sinar have had their issues as we now know, further to that is the Hasselblad concern.

If only we had an accurate crystal ball!

Mamiya

The Mamiya website in the Uk looks dead. It mentions no price reductions for the UK let a lone if they are importing. No exciting news about the DM versions. No updates at all. Distributor information well out of date.
It looks as if Mamiya are focusing on the USA market and of course Japan. Look at those countries websites and they look vibrant and full of confidence in the products. It makes sense to market to those important markets.
Personally its a shame for the UK. Fantastic cameras . A lot of Photographers consider them selves creative people but a lot of them act as sheep following the big brands gloriously pushed out by the photo magazines as the only ones to buy. I don't buy the magazines any more. Many are too biased in their selection of camera review favoring the big names. I personally hope the Mamiya brand will continue, but feel shame that in the Uk we miss out on these cameras that make awesome images. I have a Mamiya.
I agree with the other commentator Mamiya should pursue the Apple way of marketing promoting quality and the open creative choice platform it offers.
A high profile shop in London like Leica's or in New York would help to rebrand and forward Mamiya's name. Concentrate on a few of its camera products and sell the quality they can produce. Or advertise an updated website where you can actually buy the products from the site in the Uk rather than looking towards the USA or Japan. No good slashing prices if the customers cannot no where to buy them!

Website clarification

Hello all,

The new International website (www.mamiya.com) is going through some fine tuning and adding all the relevant information. You can now find you local Mamiya dealer by using the partner locator: http://bit.ly/cyZjci

The US and the Japanese site will soon be updated to reflect the new brand. Regional promotions and/ or specific product offers will remain in place.

For the UK, Calumet UK is the distributor and is handling sales and support for the new Mamiya DM systems. You can already see some of the products on their website:
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/Cameras/Digital+Cameras/Mamiya/

Feel free to direct any queries, suggestions and comments to marketing@mamiya.com

Best Regards

Yair Shahar
Mamiya

Comming to a camera company cemetery near you!

Medium format products are on the rebound now.

There is going to be a lot of competition in this area as it returns and every company must be there from the get-go!

A few slips here and good-bye to your company will be the reply.

Look! I see a NEW camera TOMBSTONE over there!