Kodak delays DCS Pro 14n launch
By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 17:04 EST)
Eastman Kodak Co. has posted a brief note on its website that the launch of its upcoming 13.9 megapixel digital SLR, the DCS Pro 14n, has been pushed back by approximately a month.
Originally planned to start shipping next Monday, the camera is now scheduled to go on sale in "the middle of January 2003". No exact reason for the pushback of this launch is given, except to say that the delay "will help Kodak ensure optimal customer satisfaction and 'out of box' product performance for our valued customers." The exact wording of the delay announcement, which appears in the "Questions and Answers" section of the DCS Pro 14n pages on Kodak's site, follows:
"Will the DCS Pro 14n digital camera be available as originally anticipated on December 16, 2002?
In order to meet the strict image quality and overall performance requirements of Kodak Professional and our professional photographer customers, we are adjusting the ship date for the DCS Pro 14n digital camera to the middle of January 2003. As with any highly innovative product, like the DCS Pro 14n, the initial user experience is critical to its success. Furthermore, we know that professional photographers rely on only the highest image quality to showcase their creativity and achieve their business goals. This brief, one-month extension will help Kodak ensure optimal customer satisfaction and "out of box" product performance for our valued customers.
When will sample images from the camera be available for customers to see and test?
Sample images are scheduled to be available later in December 2002.
Is there a problem?
The DCS Pro 14n digital camera is a complex piece of technology that is more a complete product invention than it is an incremental product improvement. It looks like we'll miss our original availability target by only a month or so, which is not a great deal of time, all things considered.
But if you weren't ready, why did you announce the DCS Pro 14n digital camera at Photokina?
Once again, it looks like we'll miss our announced availability date only by a month or so. It's also useful to remember that companies are continually trying to balance their development schedules and their marketing schedules. Photokina is a very important show and we believe it was important - both for Kodak and for the marketplace - to announce our new camera in that venue." We're expecting demand for the DCS Pro 14n to be very high, and with this delay the queues when it is finally available are likely to be even longer than they would have been, as more photographers who were waiting to see the camera in person decide instead to place orders over the next month. If you've decided to buy the 14n yourself, you'd definitely be well-advised to get your own pre-order in as soon as possible, and reserve an early position on the list. As always you have our affiliate Ritz Camera's satisfaction guarantees for peace of mind, and you'll get to approve the final price before the camera is shipped to you...
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