'This is a landmark project in the medium format space' — David Kitchin, Kodak Professional.

Medium format professional photographers nationwide are set to benefit from a ground-breaking marketing initiative launched by Kodak Professional and its newly-appointed distributor for DCS Pro Back portfolio and thermal printing products, Johnsons Photopia Limited.

In a pioneering new deal announced this week any photographer who buys a Kodak Professional DCS Pro Back through the dealer network established by ‘trade only’ distributor Johnsons Photopia, will also qualify to pick up a 3 year product warranty plus a free ‘swap out’ loan unit programme in the event of any camera breakdown.

And photographers who opt to buy any of the award-winning DCS Pro Back range before July 31st 2003 can also take advantage of a free half day’s training worth £500 - at a UK location of the photographer’s choice.

Said David Kitchin, Kodak Professional marketing manager (Digital):
" This is a landmark project in the medium format space. We believe it will prove a real head-turner in the industry. Photographers shooting with any variant of this hand-held 16 megapixel powerhouse camera back will now be able to do so with complete peace of mind."

He added: “This deal underlines our pledge at Focus to enable our customers to exploit the massive growth opportunities we predict will present themselves in the imaging industry in coming months.

Johnsons Photopia will work with us and professional dealers across the UK to establish an extended network of outlets for these outstanding medium format digital backs.”

Kodak Professional says the new deal will not affect the price of its 645 camera backs.

The DCS Pro Back 645M for Mamiya AF and AFD cameras, the 645C for the Contax 645 camera and the DCS Pro back 645H for the Hasselblad H1 will cost £9,995 (ex VAT). The DCS Pro Back Plus costs £12,995 (ex VAT).

Said Mark Langley, Johnsons Photopia marketing director: “We believe that anyone spending around £10,000 on a digital back is a serious player with uncompromising professional schedules. This new support package ensures that these photographers can buy into high end digital quality with complete confidence.

We are totally committed to offering our customers added value and this new deal will give end user photographers total peace of mind. It combines an ‘Industry First’ 3 year warranty in this sector and our built-in ‘loan unit programme’ in the unlikely event of a breakdown, added to the opportunity of free training, makes this a completely unique and unbeatable package.”

He added: “We will be implementing a nationwide training programme for participating dealers to ensure their customers have easy access to product information and comprehensive demonstrations of the entire DCS Kodak Back portfolio”.

The lightweight DCS Pro Back 645, is a world-acclaimed, award winning digital back used by photographers across all disciplines who need exceptional 16-megapixel image quality and completely untethered shooting.

For more dealer network details contact Johnsons Photopia on 01782 753300

For further information, please contact:
Kodak Professional
Tel: 01442 845146
Kodak Professional online: www.kodak.co.uk/go/professional