Decided on G-1, Can I "Afford" to Wait?

I’ve decided to get a G1. Should I wait till after the holidays in the hopes of getting a better deal or plunge ahead now? Could supply be a problem after Xmas? It wouldn’t matter BUT I’m leaving on an extended trip in mid-January. I plan on also getting the 45-200 lens. I know there were great specials last summer with the second lens, but have no idea if they’ll be repeated or if prices come down right away after Xmas. It also seems I’ll pay a premium if I want black right now. Advice?

This is the point where prices hit their lowest, and it generally stays that way until Xmas. I really doubt you'll get a better deal than $640 right now for the G1 plus kit lens. Perhaps the price will drop another $10-$15, but nothing so low that it would be worth waiting (and possibly facing a sellout). Get the G1.

I remember that the Nikon D90 went as low as $829 this time last year, then popped back up in January first to $849 then $869 then $899, generally staying at that price (propped up by a Yen-dollar exchange rate making the dollar cheaper and Japanese goods more expensive) until just recently, when the price has dropped to $805. And I don't think the D90 is going any lower than that, either.

Sounds like a good price. I have the G1 with 45-200mm lens. I shot a lot of stuff outside and that lens is on there 99% of the time. Merry Christmas

Dreps48 said:

I plan on also getting the 45-200 lens. I know there were great specials last summer with the second lens, but have no idea if they’ll be repeated

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Me either. But consider that the 45-200 sells now for $285 ... I bet those summer specials for two lenses were more than the $925 (640+285) you'd pay today, eh?

The longer you wait, the longer you are without the camera. Sure, prices always fluctuate and I'm sure there will be some cheaper price point after the new year...But when after the new year? Who knows. As the others have said, the Holiday deals usually bring things down nearly as far as they'll go in the short term.

Buy now, and enjoy now.

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Thanks,

Teski
http://www.tedescophotography.com

I doubt there will be nearly as many free shipping or other discounts after the holiday. Retailers want you on the books now, and I think you'll also find the best deal now.

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BJ Nicholls
SLC, UT

Dreps48 said:

It wouldn’t matter BUT I’m leaving on an extended trip in mid-January.

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I would not leave on an extended trip with a new camera right out of the box. You want to make sure the two of you get along, and that you have packed for both of you.

I wouldn't wait. As other people pointed out, the price probably won't drop. But I also say this so you can make sure you get your new camera and lens(es) in time and have time to work with them before you leave.

I also see you are coming from the FZ line. Are you sure you are going to be happy with constant lens changing that you may find you want to do with the two-lens system? After a general purpose zoom on my last SLR film camera and years of superzoom cameras, I found myself constantly wanting to change lenses with the G1's 14-45 and 45-200. As soon as the 14-140mm was available in the U.S. I bought it and have been much happier ever since.

I know I would first taking a street scene or a building and then want to immediately take a picture of a gargoyle or some detail of the facade that I can't walk up to.

I would suggest you think about how you will want to use the camera and decide if maybe you don't want the GH1 instead (which comes with the 14-140mm lens).

Judy