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So, how's Olympus doing?

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Robgo2

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I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately, Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users can expect no further products or development. I can deal with this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too long ago.
 
Unless someone here actually works for Olympus, anything anyone can give regarding the future viability of Olympus will be pure supposition. You takes your chances, as with anything in life. If the E1 offers you something worthwhile now, that will keep you going for at least five years, you should consider it.

I've spent more on PCs in the last five years than I will have on my E1 system when it is complete (including insurance at $AU800 pa), yet I will still likely buy another PC in the near future. I don't see the problem.

Cheers

Ray
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
--
There are no limits, only challenges - me (unless someone else said it first).

http://www.rkp.com.au/PhotoGallery/
 
I also have a contax g2 and g1 and still use them occasionally just for fun...they're the best RF ever made (leica fans may argue) and neither canon nikon or others make them ...but they can't replace SLRs so i bought some canon gear to complement the contax line...why canon? because of their advanced EF/USM lenses and myriad of other innovations...(btw, I also had nikon and contax SLRs at 1 point in time)...w the advent of the d30 i knew canon was on the right track in the digital age w their famed cmos smoothness and lack of noise...i decided to keep the canon gear and sell off everything else except the Contax G1 + lenses...in digital age, the body may not 'last' long for one tends to upgrade but hopefully one can still use the lenses 4ever...in this regards, canon,as a leader and the one w most patents give me the extra sense of security (not that i need one ;-)) ) that they will be around and will always be innovative...

oly systems are good for its smallish size, but lately the big C and N, and now Pentax have caught on w them and produce real small bodies + digital dedicated lenses while keeping the bigger APS size chip...i applaud Oly for venturing into new grounds but it may be a tough battle for them ahead ....now that Minolta is jumping into the dlsr bandwagon and rumors of sony soon, the digital field can only get bloodier ...all the best to Oly,
cheers
 
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.
Click to expand...
Olympus the company is not going away anytime soon. The company makes most of its money from the optical/medical side of things - it's the world's largest manufacturer of endoscopes, for example.

As for their committment to the 4/3 system, only time will tell for certain, but what OzRay said is a good pointer.

--
 
The 4/3 systems is supposed to be an open standard although only Olympus is currently offering a DSLR body, only Kodak is making a sensor and Sigma is offering some lenses.

But recently Panasonic, Sanyo and Fuji joined the 4/3 group. We can expect some products from these companies in the near future.
 
deevee said:
I also have a contax g2 and g1 and still use them occasionally just
for fun...they're the best RF ever made (leica fans may argue) and
neither canon nikon or others make them ...but they can't replace
SLRs so i bought some canon gear to complement the contax
line...why canon? because of their advanced EF/USM lenses and
myriad of other innovations...(btw, I also had nikon and contax
SLRs at 1 point in time)...w the advent of the d30 i knew canon was
on the right track in the digital age w their famed cmos smoothness
and lack of noise...i decided to keep the canon gear and sell off
everything else except the Contax G1 + lenses...in digital age, the
body may not 'last' long for one tends to upgrade but hopefully one
can still use the lenses 4ever...in this regards, canon,as a leader
and the one w most patents give me the extra sense of security (not
that i need one ;-)) ) that they will be around and will always be
innovative...
oly systems are good for its smallish size, but lately the big C
and N, and now Pentax have caught on w them and produce real small
bodies + digital dedicated lenses while keeping the bigger APS size
chip...i applaud Oly for venturing into new grounds but it may be a
tough battle for them ahead ....now that Minolta is jumping into
the dlsr bandwagon and rumors of sony soon, the digital field can
only get bloodier ...all the best to Oly,
cheers
Click to expand...
I had not heard that, is there anything on the net about it? what lenses would it take, would they come out with a complete lens line to boot?
--
http://www.pbase.com/paulyoly/root

 
Hi There

Of course, there are no guarantees, but Olympus have produced an extremely well received system (at least, well received in the paper press), at a good price, at a time when dSLR sales are booming. I also had a G1, and it cost as much as an E1, fifteen years ago - definitely a specialist item.

I think there's plenty of space for Olympus, maybe they won't catch up with Nikon and Canon, but they seem to have a more attractive product than Pentax and Minolta. I'd expect it to do as well as the OM cameras in days of yore!

But a camera is not like Betamax - it'll still take good pictures as long as it keeps working, you aren't limited to the available media. You may feel lonely with your lovely G2, but it will still take wonderful photos as long as the film is available. As far as the E1 is concerned . . I don't see CF cards becoming redundant in the near future!

Go for it!

kind regards
jono slack
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk
 
FromDP review:" Olympus is set to boost in-house production of digital cameras to 50 percent in one or two years to boost its ailing camera division. The decision to bring it in-house is due to losses of around $27.49 million and a 57 percent decline in net profit for the April - September first half period. Around 60 percent of Olympus digital cameras are currently produced by other companies."
 
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
 
But always treat each question with politeness in the first instance. I think this is what distinguishes this forum from most of the others.

Remember, nothing frustrates a Troll more than courtesy, calm and considered responses based on fact, and questions in return seeking more information to assist in providing support for the initial question or proposition.

You'll note that by doing this, that Trolls will attempt to change the subject or become selective in replies and, by simply repeating the process, they will eventually depart in utter frustration recognising their abject failure.

Nothing frustrates a Troll more than not responding to their taunts.

Those asking genuine questions will still be here.

Cheers

Ray
Confucius said:
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
There are no limits, only challenges - me (unless someone else said it first).

http://www.rkp.com.au/PhotoGallery/
 
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
 
My apologies. I didn't even notice that another Canon nob was in the midst. My mistake, I should have spotted this a mile away, as this hamburger has been at in another threads already.

Cheers

Ray
Confucius said:
Robgo2 said:
I have been lurking in these pages for many months as I consider
moving into an Olympus digital SLR, probably an E-1 or its
successor. But I have concerns for the viability of Olympus as a
company and for their long-term committment to the 4/3 system.

I say this as a current user of a Contax G2, which has to be one of
the finest film cameras ever produced. Unfortunately,
Contax/Kyocera has abandoned the line completely, and we G2 users
can expect no further products or development. I can deal with
this, because my system is fairly complete and in good working
order. Still, it leaves one feeling somewhat like an orphan.

I would like very much not to repeat this experience if I migrate
to an E-? system. Therefore, I would appreciate information on
Olympus's business performance and prospects. Are they struggling
to survive, and might they find the interchangeable SLR business
too unprofitable to maintain? I realize that Olympus claim to be
committed to the platform, but Kyocera made similar claims not too
long ago.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
There are no limits, only challenges - me (unless someone else said it first).

http://www.rkp.com.au/PhotoGallery/
 
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