D30 prices, why haven't they dropped?

Wishful thinking, Mr. P. The Nikon D1 sold for it's same list price for nearly two years, even after newer, higher MP cameras came out. The D30 ain't a computer, and anyone who thinks they'll be picking one up for $1500 anytime in the next nine months is taking some very bad drugs.--Mike http://www.kelleytown.com

LOL. I have to agree with Mike here. I do not believe you can compare DSLR prices with computer/P&S prices. I just think the companies pricing structure and the market demands are different. I thikn that the P&S cameras are produced in large numbers hoping there will be a demand for them. They are then discontinued rather quickly, that might be why the prices drop so quickly. With DSLRs the volume is much less, making the price both higher and less prone to discounting. Witness the 1D, with a production volume of only 3000, I wonder how this compares to the production volume for the G2 or S40?

--- - - -Valliesto

Peter Siciliano said:

Unless some other digital camera manufacturer steps in and offers a
product which would compete directly with the Canon D30, I don't
see Canon dropping their price for the camera anytime soon.

Click to expand...

You don't think the 1D will compete much against the D30? Personally, I prefer the images from the D30 over the D1x because they're so beautifully noise free ... Canon seems to have unparalleled quality here. But it looks like the 1D has this, too.

The 1D also has a 1.3 instead of 1.6 crop factor ... very important for wides. You can't uncrop 26 mm back to 16 in Photoshop, and there are many instances ( ie when it's windy ) when you can't combine four shots into a super-wide panorama. And then there's the superior AF.

I wouldn't be surprised if most of the people who buy a 1D already have a D30 ... so it probably won't compete very much. I'll no doubt wind up with one of these cameras, and unless I can raise a lot of money pretty quickly, it'll be a D30 ... but if I'm able, I'll have a 1D.

Generally, with various integrated circuits, the larger the physical size of each individual element, the more tolerant it will be of contaminants that cause defects. Assuming the filters and HVAC system in the fab plant are up to the task. Unfortunately I don't know the type of yield they are getting, but given the size of the sensor, their output per wafer is going to be low to begin with. Not like micro processors or consumer grade CCDs where you should be able to fit dozens and dozens onto a single wafer.

Joo

Valliesto Bailey said:

I had no idea it was so high. Does anyone know what type of yield
they are getting? Or maybe they have a very high acceptable
tolerance, that would explain why there are so few D30s with
dead/hot pixels.

--
- - - -
Valliesto

Click to expand...

I suppose you can think of the Nikon D1 (used) to be a competitor in the mid range DSLR market now.

Joo

Peter Siciliano said:

Adam2 said:

I have been following the prices of the D30 closely for the past
6-8 months and they have yet to decline significantly. Sure, Canon
has made the 1 GB MD/battery offer, but they used to offer the
camera with a 340 MB MD and overall the deal isn't that good.

The price remains in the mid $2.5 + K range from any reputable
dealer that I have found (sure, you go ahead and order a
non-in-stock gray market camera from Broadway photo or its various
counterparts.

Any thoughts here?

Click to expand...

Apart from the Fuji with their S1 Pro, who else offers a mid-range
digital SLR with interchangeable lenses?

Unless some other digital camera manufacturer steps in and offers a
product which would compete directly with the Canon D30, I don't
see Canon dropping their price for the camera anytime soon.

PGS

Click to expand...

There was no real alternative to the D1 so there was no reason for the D1 to drop in price. Back then, a digital SLR was still a new and pricey technology with little demand. 3 Years ago, you would need 10k to buy a DSLR. Things have changed (ing).

The D30 currently sells for $2200 minus a 1G drive and battery = about $1900. Do you really think it will not be available for $1500 within the next 9 months? Is that wishful? For some it is I guess for many is not.

-Pablo

I was told today by a Canon dealer that when the D1 hits the shelves the D30 will come down to below $2000.

Believe me... Murphy's Law follows me like a dark cloud. The minute I buy my D30, the price will PLUMMET. You can almost set your watch by it!

Today, D30's cost $2200. On December 14, after I buy mine, it will drop like a lead pigeon to $1500 or less!

JCDoss

Bammo!!! I think you nailed it here. First of all, I'm not a pro, but end up shooting a lot of weddings, portraits, etc. for people. I shot 35mm for years, but went with a Coolpix 990 because I'm a control freak that wants total creative control from start to finish over my product, and also an instant gratification fanatic (can't do that with 35 mm color). When I got the Coolpix, I couldn't consider digital SLR, as cheapest ones were still over 5K. The 3.3 mp is entirely sufficient for my needs (8X10's.) The reason I'm desperately wanting a Canon D30 is because it is a mature product that gives me the full range of control of a good 35mm slr.

I want to be able to shoot in lower light than the 990 will, change lenses, shoot in raw mode without having to get a cup of coffee between shots, and use a battery for more than 30 shots. I also want to be able to attach a decent flash and shoot indoors without having it look like someone set off a strobe light bomb.

The 990 has produced some remarkable shots for me. Many people think I'm shooting 35mm or higher, but that's only because I restrict my photography to the range of subjects and lighting conditions that the camera can handle.

The thing is that for years digital cameras ALMOST did what you wanted them to do. Once you have a mature product as the D30 is, though, people will stick with it. The only thing that surprises me is that NO ONE has made any legitimate competition for it. Nikon is priced too high. Olympus N-20? Ain't gonna happen. Minolta is gonna be in big trouble if they don't come out with something that doesn't have to be discounted 50% in three weeks to get it off the shelves. I'm going for this camera because I DON'T want to have to upgrade in another year. I can shoot with this and produce good quality for as long as I wish.

Take care,
Stephen Cook

In the D SLR arena the cameras are equipped with a quality imager that is sufficient

Member said:

for professional use -- which inherently retain much more staying
power in relation to newer relased D SLRs. As such, today the D30
appears anything BUT silly despite the release of the EOS 1D. And
the D1h and x variatitons have not rendered the D1 obsolute.

This is not necessarily true with consumer grade digicams. The
Nikon Coolpix 800 looks woefully inadequate in light of the 950,
and likewise the 990.... Hence, their value drops at a steeper
rate.

Bill
http://www.flatarts.com/

Click to expand...

JCDoss said:

Believe me... Murphy's Law follows me like a dark cloud. The
minute I buy my D30, the price will PLUMMET. You can almost set
your watch by it!

Today, D30's cost $2200. On December 14, after I buy mine, it will
drop like a lead pigeon to $1500 or less!

JCDoss

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I knew I was waiting on something. I'll get mine on December 15th, and that means everyone else can get theirs for less than a grand a week later. (BTW, this was a joke. You know, humor, like the funny kind, only different.)

Stephen Cook

pestrada said:

There was no real alternative to the D1 so there was no reason for
the D1 to drop in price.

Click to expand...

Exactamundo! Now you finally get it -- and since there is no real alternative to the D30 now (and won't be for nine months) the price won't drop.

When Canon announces the replacement (let's be optimistic and say February) the price may come down slightly, but until it's actually available (9 months) it won't have a big effect. So my official prediction is that by the end of next year you will be able to get a D30 at a reduced price. But for those of you who don't have one yet, I promise I'm really hoping I'm wrong (truly -- everyone should experience this camera).--Mike http://www.kelleytown.com

The difference is that a replacement as well as other models IS expected by consumers. And, it is not too long from now (surely not the ending of next year). Not to mention that the D1 will also help drive the price(s) down.

What ever the case is it doesn't matter. The point is that to have the latest & greatest you have not only pay, but accept the rapid depreciation that follows.

For now, do enjoy the D30, it is a great camera.

C-ya!

Adam2 said:

I have been following the prices of the D30 closely for the past
6-8 months and they have yet to decline significantly. Sure, Canon
has made the 1 GB MD/battery offer, but they used to offer the
camera with a 340 MB MD and overall the deal isn't that good.

The price remains in the mid $2.5 + K range from any reputable
dealer that I have found (sure, you go ahead and order a
non-in-stock gray market camera from Broadway photo or its various
counterparts.

Any thoughts here?

Click to expand...

I can only imagine that Canon are still selling a lot of D30's and therefore do not need to drop the price. I bet there aren't too many D30 owners who can afford to just go out and buy the 1D. When I got my D30 about 3 weeks ago, I got a free 550EX speedlite as part of the promotion. As this is nearly £300, I reckon I got a good deal.--Chris Clark