Originally posted by snake I actually photograph in the medical and research field for two universities. What would you like to know, beyond the fact that we're using the 5DII in both, microscopes are Zeiss and Olympus?
The 5Ds (and they have simple Rebels in most departments) are all under pro/institutional coverage. We keep different ones for the lab use and others for general use. We also have one that is specifically used by myself to document aborted and stillborn fetuses before and after autopsy.
So what point do you need to make?
You getting this impression? Did I ask for something? Anyhow, it might be your generousity to provide me with this information, appreciated! If you want to know something about aerial reconnaissance, the equipment of other university departments, the tools and the experiences there, feel free to ask.
Somehow it's not so straightforward to communicate with you, I actually agreed to your sentiment that Pentax with Ricoh might become a valid provider of tools for use in heavy duty environments, for documentation, which is done in various fields, where I just mentioned some additional scenarios to your war-reporter.
If for these an established dedicated so called pro-service is necessary is up for discussion, but I do think you did get this point. However, our Hasselblads and D800s etc. are the main tools which are in a maintainance cycle, where most of the research in academic institutions is based on short-time project, where new equipment is bought for let's say 3-5 yeras by the directors itself for their fieldwork. Hardly any do or could invest in additional fees for a pro-program. Most end up with D5100, Rebels or even entrance Sony or (some time ago) Olympus DSLRs with Sigma kitzooms.
And most would be better off with Pentax offerings, even without the so called pro-support. Fieldseason is some month a year, plenty of time inbetween for cleaning and maintainance, that might be a difference to the cliche of a traditional news, wedding etc. pro.
Still, Ricoh has some good background in this regard, who knows, maybe that's where they are heading in the end, contracting departments and institutions, I don't think the direction in the development of new equipment would contradict that.