Comments for PhotoCounter

Comment on Kodak to ‘improve profitability’ by dropping cameras and digital frames by Peter

Peter — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:33:50 +0000

I don’t think Kodak ever really successfully engaged the pure camera speciality stores as in general the camera products they sold were a little down market for those upmarket stores. So for Kodak those stores in general were only good as film customers really and little time was spent in cultivating them.

They were certainly more supportive of their KEX dealers, and those stores and their own retail chain at its peak were remarkably successful.

Anyway some more cheerful news here.
http://www.proprint.com.au/News/290915,kodak-to-become-more-asian-after-chapter-11-restructure.aspx

Comment on Kodak to ‘improve profitability’ by dropping cameras and digital frames by Alan Robertson

Alan Robertson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:50:47 +0000

Over my last 40 Years of dealing with Kodak. They have offered lots to the dealer Yet sold at very reduced prices to the Supermarkets, yet expect loyalty from the camera specialty stores. Their conduct is the result of their demise. The origions from where they have evolved will be sadly missed, but the company will never restore confidence it oblitterated. There are many companies who will work together with others to promote their products and be happy to have loyal partners in business. Over the years Kodak has not been one of them.

Comment on Huge potential for photo retailers in 2012 by John Swainston

John Swainston — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:20:46 +0000

What I want to know: Just when the peak in baby boomer retirement is upon us, why is it that the two major industry suppliers of dedicated slide/neg scanners (Nikon and Canon) have discontinued manufacture? For the next 10 years we don’t need any new scanner improvements (4000dpi and DMax of 4+ is fine); but we do need them to be available for people to buy, and with compatible software. Boomers will increasingly have time and motivation to go through all those files themselves and they will be the people who will want to print those images. Or Phil could set up a national franchise of Boomer ScanFast Centres for those that don’t want to DIY. Just a thought.

Comment on CIPA tips 2012 surge in camera and lens sales by John Swainston

John Swainston — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:51:26 +0000

I’d like to reinforce the importance of the CIPA data to the Australian market. One of the reasons the lens market is growing at a rate even above camera sales is that as new users to SLR and CSC explore the capabilities of their cameras, they quickly realize the limitation of their 18-55mm (or equivalent) standard zoom. They want to explore wider angle or longer telephoto images, or Macro. Even if they purchased a twin-kit (60% of all ILC sales were in this form), the “do I leave the big lens at home?” question comes up. Again, the user gets a poorer experience, even though they actually own a solution to it. Convenience is a vital part of more frequent camera use. So is creative potential.

At Maxwell we saw an explosion of growth in the last several months in Ultrazoom, with Tamron’s 18-270mm VC lens. This has become the industry’s No. 1 go-to lens for travellers and sports mums and dads. 15X in a DSLR just gives so many more picture-taking opportunities. It’s one of the reasons Tamron just introduced an 18-200mm lens at an affordable price for the diminutive Sony NEX system. If it’s convenient enough, people use it more. It is also a strong growth area in Compact Point & Shoot cameras, where cameras above 10X saw growth last year over 30% in an otherwise down market.

In the marketplace I observe strong sales for Nikon’s 18-200VRII, Canon’s 15-85mm, all giving users a broader image experience than a standard lens. The national ratio of lenses achieved around a 1.8:1 average last year. In days gone by, with more fixed focal length lenses, ratios often exceeded 2.4:1. Because of zoom we may not get back to those ratios again. But, by using education classes that show people how, by offering lens trials, working with suppliers to enable this to happen, – retailers can carve out a very important growth opportunity that increases the ASP (Average Sales Price), creates growth dollars and margins, and gives the end-customer a wonderful extension in their photography.

For Specialists there are great opportunities to explore niches, such as Lensbaby’s new Edge 80 lens, announced this week – one moment a super-sharp portrait lens, next a creative slice of focus for a really different look and feel.

By getting customers involved more with this (and just not to be too one-eyed it could equally be a fisheye from our competitor Sigma!), retailers have much more to offer than just price, and customers get to realize their creative potential.

Comment on Huge potential for photo retailers in 2012 by Phil

Phil — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:39:51 +0000

Baby Boomers with scanning of photos, film and videos are a regular promo for us, they need one on one service and want to talk to those who do the job. Something photo retailer specialists can do that others can’t.

Comment on No tears for Kodak (x2) by yvonne

yvonne — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:01:13 +0000

Reading about Kodak in this article by Rob reminded me of something GREEN in the present day.

Comment on No threat to Kodak paper and chem supply by Stuart Holmes - IPS

Stuart Holmes - IPS — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:45:37 +0000

Hi Chris, I understand your comments completely, and yes it is fair to say that a lot of people did (and, still do) love the Kodak product and brand, but not so much the Company itself due to this perceived past “arrogance”.
At IPS our aim is to put a real and ‘human face’ to business, with knowledgeable & easily approachable representatives to talk to at any time.
I hope we can be of service to you and the Photo Industry on this basis.
Cheers, Stuart

Comment on No threat to Kodak paper and chem supply by Chris

Chris — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:35:56 +0000

This year marks our 27th in retail minilab. My first year started with Kodak but after about six months in we ran into supply issues as they mis-forecast demand. My complaint was met with the statement ‘you know there’s three other suppliers you could use?’ Their arrogance then was probably the secret to our success thereafter. I promptly changed and never looked back since. Despite some great people in the organisation – and some great products – it was this type of attitude that finally brought about their demise.

Comment on No tears for Kodak (x2) by Tony

Tony — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:13:28 +0000

I must admit I had a good laugh reading through the two accounts above. Kodak did dominate the market and had fingers in every pie. They were enormously successful and supported their loyal dealers with much support and a marketing program which was the envy of the photographic world.
Unfortunately neither of the stores of the two writers survived into the present day and you would have to add Ilford and Konica to that list!

I think it is time to move on. Kodak is still a great brand, its still there, ignore it at your peril!

Comment on Disbelieving customers by Chris

Chris — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:37:43 +0000

Every second person who walks in wanting a passport pic asks “Do you do passport photos here”. There’s a flag hanging outside the door saying “Passport & ID photos”…..but it’s obviously there for decoration……