Kodak To Stop Selling Traditional Cameras

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:39:33 +1300 (NZDT)
From: Jonathan Ah Kit <ahkitj () jnawk net nz>
Subject: Kodak To Stop Selling Traditional Cameras
X-X-Sender: <ahkitj () nitro bafonline net nz>
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>

Hi Dave

For IP -- ah, the joys of planned obsolescence, a la Stan Freberg's
infamous capitalist plot sketch. :) Or maybe that I've seen far better
35mms for the same prices from other vendors, let alone (IMHO) the pricing
for their digitals...

Have fun
Jonathan

> http://xtramsn.co.nz/technology/0,,7006-2996550,00.html
>
>
> Kodak To Stop Selling Traditional Cameras
> 14/01/2004 10:31 AM
> Reuters
>
> Eastman Kodak Co. says it will stop selling traditional film cameras
> in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, another move by the
> troubled photography company to cut lines with declining appeal in
> favor of fast-growing digital products.
>
> But the Rochester-based company will continue to sell one-time use
> cameras in the West and expand its sales of these and other film-based
> cameras and supplies in markets such as China, India, and Latin
> America, where demand is on the rise.
>
> Shares of Kodak rose in early trade after the announcement, and was
> the biggest percentage gainer among blue chip stocks.
>
> The move comes amid Kodak's controversial plan to focus on high-growth
> digital products, such as medical imaging systems, and reduce
> dependence on its declining film business. Late last year, Kodak said
> it would stop making slide projectors, but continues to manufacture
> color slide films.
>
> Blaming declining demand, the Rochester, New York-based company said
> it would by the end of this year quit making cameras that use the
> Advanced Photo System (APS) format, as well as reloadable cameras that
> use 35-millimeter film.
>
> In 1996, when it was unveiled, Advantix was hailed by Kodak as the
> "most important photographic announcement since Instamatic
> cartridge-loading cameras were introduced in 1963."
>
> APS was developed in tandem with Canon Inc, Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.,
> Minolta Co Ltd. and Nikon Corp., and aimed at simplifying the use of
> film and enhancing the quality of prints.
>
> Kodak will still make film for existing Advantix and other cameras,
> and intends to introduce new high-performance 35 millimeter and
> Advanced Photo System films next month.
>
> Camera makers typically make little profit - or lose money - on
> hardware, but enjoy strong margins from sales of supplies such as film
> and paper which much be replaced frequently.
>
> Kodak said that it plans to continue making reloadable cameras that
> use 35-millimeter film in emerging markets, such as China, India,
> Eastern Europe and Latin America and that it will introduce six new
> cameras in those markets this year.
>
> Kodak said the 35-millimeter film industry is growing at double-digit
> rates in those markets.
>
> Shares of Kodak rose 37 cents to US$26.70, up 1.33 percent, in active
> New York Stock Exchange trade on Tuesday.

--
Jonathan Ah Kit - Lower Hutt - New Zealand
jonathan () ah-kit dropbear id au - http://www.ah-kit.dropbear.id.au/
ahkitj () paradise net nz - ICQ#9747234 - http://www.electric.gen.nz/
Away message: Looking for adhesive tape, not Alibrandi.

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