The guy spent $50k on equipment to make these photos.
Sorry iPhone/Android users. Pro photo equipment IS expensive.
No matter how many terapixels your piece of shit, made in China pocket device is claimed to have, the true pro equipment takes a mortgage to have. And muscles to carry. High quality glass is heavy. And expensive (did I already said that?) to manufacture.
It's all still made in Japan. Every little thing on it is.
The licensing would be every bit as justified if the gear were cheap. This is how he makes his living, he's under no obligation to give it to anyone for free.
It's all still made in Japan. Every little thing on it is.
And that's a price to pay for top quality.
And so - his response is reasonable.