I found this CDI site from a news alert for Fuji cameras. I spend a lot of idle time watching developments and evaluating reviews,comments,photos and companies. I am devoted to one camera supplier. I stipulate that I will pay up to 20% more that the current best price of a camera in return for good service. This has been a wonderful contract and I have received more than I have asked for. In return I post links to this supplier that I consider important moves in the camera industry. My main information comes from news alerts,company specifications,dpreview,one other retailer,surfing the web.I sent a copy of the DCI profile to the my retailer with a recommendation that he have this site on his desktop for reference. He has already told me that he will be distributing copies of the ethics section of this site's profile to the board members of his company chain. The reason I put so much emphasis on customer service is that my supplier tests every new camera model before it is sold. I have had damage from dropping, damage from saltwater, dust problems (all fixed to my satisfaction) Advice on what my supplier thinks of my decision to buy in relationship to what I already have, He gives me discounts I dont ask for, he tells me that no-one should pay RRP (recommended retail price), He is honest to a fault but in return his mailservice sales outstrip his in-shop sales due to loyalty. He has customers who wait to be told of something new that would suit their kit. He has a wife, 5 boys and 1 girl who help in the shop.(especially school holidays). He refuses to sell me somthing he knows is a bomb.
Nothing in this world is perfect, but this site looks a lot more interesting than many other sites that I visit. For one thing it equals Steves Digicams in coverage of P and S cameras. It's reviews IMHO are easier to understand than Dpreviews. It tries to review cameras as soon as they can get their hands on them and dont have the time lag of other sites who review gifts or favourites first. (I hope).
It has so far IMHO avoided bias (something human nature can't control).
The forum appears to be very democratic and useful to people's needs and desires. I do not judge anybody's preference in life. That is God's job.
In this time of volotile changes in an industry where planning time has been reduced from 3 years to 3 months due to technology advancement customers,retailers,manufacturers,consultants all need a site such as this site to guide them through the future turbulent years of development.
AS members of this site it is important that all information and views be expressed especially about digital camera developments. The world has gone from buying 1 camera every 5-10 years to buying 1 camera every 5-10 months. How do you do it. Give up smoking will buy a new DSLR every year.Give up petrol/deisel and you can buy a new point and shoot every month. Give up gambling and you can buy everything you want. I have given up all of these and am now only addicted to life. (through photography). macduncan.