Автор: Amigo
Дата: 24-03-11 17:51
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Postponing the launch of the Nikon D800 due to earthquake / tsunami / nuclear disaster in Japan
It is clear that Nikon has been hit by the natural disaster in Japan as much as many other Japanese companies. Canon had issued a damage report here and Nikon has published a web page here, but both remain vague towards the outlook of the operations in the coming weeks and months (my understanding is that it is indeed difficult to make any plans). We are very sorry for all the affected people in Japan and especially for our friends at Nikon, hoping things will be back to normal soon.
As European newspapers were reporting today, professional photographers will have trouble sourcing spare parts for both Nikon and Canon cameras soon as many of the Japanese facilities of both companies will resume manufacturing only in 3-4 weeks from now. However, official statements are not yet available. American news continue along similar lines on the manufacturing on cameras, cars and semiconductors. Car manufacturing has been suspended for one week. And while Toyota has picked up operations again, it is still unclear when production will resume "as normal" since supply levels continue to be low along the entire supply chain as long as the power shortage will persist. Flash memory will be difficult to source for the next quarters, an analyst at Standard & Poors told Fox News. Very similar components from the same base materials go into cameras.
With all that said, I believe that no Japanese manufacturer will make big announcements just now (we were expecting the Nikon D800 to be announced in late March or April) and that Nikon will wait until things are back to normal before proceeding. In the end they not only need to make the announcement but also deliver the gear shortly after.
|
|