DCI:
Are the Zeiss lenses auto focus?
Mark Weir:
Yes.
DCI:
The Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 lens, is that the same formulation as the one being designed for the Nikon F-mount?
Mark Weir:
Well, I can’t really speak to those lenses: I’m not really that familiar with them except that they’re not AF, which I thought was kind of humorous.
DCI:
We did as well.
Mark Weir:
I can tell you that these are all new lenses, so I would doubt that they could have anything to do with those.
DCI:
Okay. One of the major economic advantages we had discussed is the savings afforded by the in-camera anti-shake system, so consumers don’t have to go out and purchase a high-priced image stabilized lenses.
Mark Weir:
(Laughing) It isn’t always true.
DCI:
Well, the question concerned the 70 – 200mm and the 300mm f/2.8, which both have higher price tags than Nikon or Canon’s respective offerings…
Mark Weir:
Admitted.
DCI:
So what will consumers get for the extra price?
Mark Weir:
We would say the quality of those lenses, which are easy to see, are largely based on very similar predecessors, and is legendary. It’s not for me to say that our 70 – 200, f/2.8 is better than Canon’s or Nikon’s, but I can tell you, it goes without saying, that they are very much based on their based on their predecessors. And I can tell you that their predecessors are extraordinarily highly valued, by their owners. I was recently following a used, not new, used, 70-200 mm f/2.8 APOGSSM Konica Minolta lens on Ebay and it sold for $2550.
DCI:
That’s more than the list price for it new.
Mark Weir:
Exactly, that’s my point. It’s not for me to say that our lenses are better than Canons or Nikons of comparable cost or type, but I can say that in the eyes of certain consumers, they have value which perhaps transcends their direct correlative models in other people’s lines. I mean I know that our 70-200 is twenty-four hundred dollars and people may say well, wait a minute I can buy that lens IS from Canon for seventeen or eighteen hundred bucks if I go online. And yeah, we are aware of that differential, however I would say that there are enthusiasts that place very, very, very, very high value in those lenses. A 300mm f/2.8 APOGSSM used I think it was a month ago, sold for over six grand.
DCI:
That’s surprising.
Mark Weir:
So you know, there are a lot of customers that put a very high value in that glass. And if I was to say well defend yours against theirs, I would say I wouldn’t really do that, I would point to the customers who already see it in that light.
DCI:
Well again, I very much appreciate your taking the time to sit down with DCI and look forward to seeing the line materialize and evolve.
Yolanda Hunt-Boes:
All right, thank you DCI, and there’s more info to come so stayed tuned.
