Requirements for a New Stereo Camera

[shab@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Shab Levy)]

With some of the recent discussions regarding high prices of old stereo
equipment I am leery of opening another can of worms, especially because it
may look on the surface of it as if I am advocating high prices.

Let me state from the onset that I am not.

My comments refer to the paper placed by Yannick Corroenne on the WEB in
regards to the requirements for a new stereo camera. First, let me
congratulate all involved in this for the efforts involved to get this
position paper on the net.

Specifically, I am referring to the paragraph that deals with Weight, Size,
Price and Service. Now, everyone no doubt, would like to get such a new
camera for the recommended price of $500, or even for less, why not?!
However, lets be realistic about the whole thing. The rationale behind the
recommended price is based on the assumption that if one standard compact
camera costs $150 - $200 in department stores, than the price for this new
3-D camera should be no more than $500!

Let's face it. If any camera manufacturer would like to jump on this
opportunity, they will do it first to make money, and then for any other
reason. This is the reality of life in today's economy. If we as a group of
stereo enthusiasts are saying to a potential manufacturer that such a new
camera is not worth to us more than $500, why would it be worth to
non-enthusiasts even half that much! Furthermore, the logic behind the
recommended price is flawed. The only reason that companies can offer
cameras for $150 is because of volume sales. No matter how convinced we are
about the greatness of 3-D, compared to the total number of camera users in
the world, we are a drop in the bucket. The initial investment to produce a
3-D camera are going to be huge, and unless such a potential manufacturer
can rely on a better return for their money, I am afraid none will attempt
to invest that much into it. Yes, the idea is to excite new users, but
those need us-enthusiasts as a reference point.

Unlike the 50's when Stereo Realist came out with (allegedly) 150,000
cameras, I doubt it if a camera company will sell more than 10,000 3-D
cameras in the first year. In today's economy you must recover your
investment much faster than 50 years ago. At $500 apiece, this would not
cover even the investment for a factory building, let alone the actual
production.

The bottom line is this: We, as a group of interested individuals, have to
convey a message to a potential investor that we would be willing to pay
whatever REASONABLE price such a camera might cost ($2,000 for example is
too much!) rather than telling such a company how to conduct their
business. They may have to be educated about many aspects of stereo
photography, but not about pricing their merchandise or staying in
business!


Shab Levy, Portland, Oregon, USA



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