Kodak discontinues SLR/n, SLR/c
By
Shawn Barnett
(Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 15:33 EDT)
Though slated for announcement on June 3, news of Kodak's intent to discontinue both of their current Pro SLRs leaked onto the Web today. The company will cease manufacture of the SLR/c and SLR/n as of June 30, 2005. Warranties, support, and software upgrades will be continued until 2008.
The announcement was made to dealers to give them time to plan for demand fluctuations as necessary. Current list price for both bodies is $4,195, though many retailers are already selling both models for less. The 14 megapixel SLR/c and SLR/n originally retailed for $4,995, and were so named for their use of either Canon or Nikon lens mounts.
Kodak representatives were asked whether this marked the end of the company's involvment in SLR manufacture. "I would not necessarily draw that conclusion," said Madhav Mehra, Digital Capture Portfolio, Advanced Techology, and Business Development Manager.
Kodak is a co-founder and remains a proponent of the Four-Thirds System along with Olympus, Sanyo, Panasonic, FujiFilm, and Sigma. They said that they will continue manufacturing sensors through Kodak ISS, and said that this announcement does not at all reflect on their consumer digital camera business.
|
