I think it’s time to bring some closure to this project. I receive daily messages, some sympathetic, some supportive and some impatient and angry. I can understand this - I’ve backed many projects on kickstarter as well and have received very few of them. We are all aware of the risks when we back projects but most of us enter into this in a positive way in order to be part of something exciting. I think this project is very exciting and I acknowledge that I would not have got it off the ground without your help both financially and through your advice. It is through you that I have learnt about cameras, and the beauty of nature in slow motion. Some of you have inspired me with the results you have produced with my cameras.

But I will not be accused of scamming or behaving in anything other than a professional and honourable way. I have spent all of my time and a lot of my own money in trying to honour my promises. I will continue to do so. When you ask me for timescales then I give my best estimates. But many things are beyond my control and I do not like to be accused moving the goalposts.

But many of you need closure and I know I certainly do. I need to be able to continue with development without negative energy from angry backers.

I have spent so much time over the last 2 months, and over the 2 years before that, trying different ways to get the product to market. Some things have worked out, some haven’t. I have failed in my most recent attempt to get the Silver orders out. So this is the situation: I have all but given up trying to put together the Silver and Gold spec cameras. And I feel that many of you have run out of patience in allowing me to continue trying. This is not without spending a lot of money on parts and even more time in development. I have all the sensors and memory to make all the boards that I need. But I am not prepared to send out any old rubbish in an attempt to fob backers off. The problem is the sensors used on those cameras have very disappointing characteristics. They are noisy and do not perform some of the functions as promised by the manufacturer. In addition it is very difficult to get support from the manufacturer. For this reason I switched supplier for the newer products to one that can produce quality sensors and provide the large amount of support that a project like this requires.

I have committed a large part of my time over the past 3 years in trying to establish a brand and company to produce leading edge high speed cameras and will continue to do so. I have already apologised a number of times to backers and I do so again. I have always had the best intentions in what I have done. Most projects that reach this stage being unable to supply just disappear and backers have to walk away. I am not prepared to do that.

So I am proposing the following:

• For those that have given up or lost patience then I will endeavour to refund your money. It is not fair that you should lose out in that way. The reason I say endeavour is that if everyone asked for a refund then I do not have sufficient funds to do this instantly but will still attempt to do so over time. All of the money put into the project originally plus a lot more has been invested in components and development costs.
• For those of you who still want to receive your camera then I will provide an alternative based on the new sensors I am using. These are significantly more expensive and higher performance than the original ones. I am still trying to work out the cheapest way to do this but with my experience now of the memories and other parts used to manufacture this camera I believe I can come up with a sensible compromise. For Silver customers this may involve an additional contribution from you as I will not be able to fund all of the added cost. But it will give you a camera equivalent to the newest fps1000HD at a fraction of the normal price. I do want to compensate you for your long wait.

As I have said, I would like to bring some closure to this process in a positive way. I would like to hear your comments and opinions as to what you would like to do. So please email me at grahamr@fps1000.com to tell me which of the above options interests you and whatever comments you wish to make. Feel free to vent your anger by email. I won’t be responding to comments posted here. Each of you is an individual and I respect your voice. I won’t participate in a witch hunt. I will respond to every email but please be patient.

This applies only to the original Silver, Gold and Platinum fps1000 cameras. The fps1000HD is now in production and shipping.

Thank you for listening and for your support.