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Are prices of photo equipment ridiculously high?

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Bobthearch said:
sportyaccordy said:
Bobthearch said:
Marek M said:
Tom_N said:
Mika Y. said:
Is there actually current 700 USD equipment that isn't quite capable for producing good results for a wide range of purposes in the real world?
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There are many $700 USD cameras that have bad (pentamirror) viewfinders, with not-so-good manual focusing aids. For that matter, even multi-thousand dollar pro DSLRs have characteristics that prevent them from matching manual-focus 35mm SLRs in this area.
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Auto Focus is both excellent and far superior than manual focus on DSLRs. Particularly in live view magnification.
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But it's true that modern DSLRs, especially those in the $700 range, just aren't made for manual focus. And there are times it comes in handy.

There are no focus aids in the viewfinder, like a split screen.

And the lens focus rings are small, un-smooth, and imprecise.
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The only situation I can think of where manual focus comes in handy is nailing sharpness on a landscape. Modern DSLRs are generally fine for that (outside of having to use the screen in bright daylight). And in that situation I'm not sure a split screen would provide the required precision level anyway.
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Shooting at night and some studio work are two situations I would use it.
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I'm guessing in both cases the subjects are moving slowly enough that the back screen is OK.

Not to mention, more importantly, more expensive DSLRs aren't any better suited for manual focus through the viewfinder either. There are too many diversions of light for the viewfinders to be usefully bright, especially stopped down.
 
Not in my case, but the invisible hand of the market has given me a pat on the head, not flipped me the bird.
 
Orcio14 said:
I watch the prices of photographic equipment form many years and come to the conclusion that manufacturers have probably now lost contact with the reality their clients live. They probably think, for example, that 700 USD is so small amount that they can offer "toy" class equipment and do not worry about what the client expects.

Do you think so too?
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Yes, the camera makers have really shot themselves in the food. Why get a toy entry level rebel of d3xxx, which commands no respect and has few to no features, when one can get a "pro" Samsung Note or iPhone for the same price?

--

Fear is the darkroom where the Devil develops his negatives.
 
Digital cameras aren't just photo equipment, they also have processors, firmware, LCD displays, connection ports, card slots. They are more like computers.

Personally I'd rather spend more on a digital camera than spend less on a film camera and then having to spend on film and get it processed and developed. Higher upfront cost is nothing compared to the long-term savings.
 
Laybourne said:
Orcio14 said:
I watch the prices of photographic equipment form many years and come to the conclusion that manufacturers have probably now lost contact with the reality their clients live. They probably think, for example, that 700 USD is so small amount that they can offer "toy" class equipment and do not worry about what the client expects.

Do you think so too?
Click to expand...
Yes, the camera makers have really shot themselves in the food. Why get a toy entry level rebel of d3xxx, which commands no respect and has few to no features, when one can get a "pro" Samsung Note or iPhone for the same price?
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You really buy cameras to gain respect from strangers?
 
Since Pentax has been around a while, some folks compared old prices on their equipment, see here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...m-bodies-film-era-lenses-originally-cost.html

I'd say that in inflation adjusted dollars some older stuff, like a Spotmatic and say 50mm best lens, might have been cheaper. But OTOH you've maybe got built in flash, no film costs, and a better light meter. And basically a computer bolted in. So on a per-photo-keeper basis maybe better. But kind of hard to compare.

What's interesting is that some of those old lenses are actually worth as much now as then. Good glass lasts.
 
not to me.



My wife's 12 year old P&S digital camera cost $98. A used similar model can be had for about $15. My grandson bought a used Nikon Coolpix P700O for $37.

As many already stated, "expensive" depends on your disposable income.
 
Laybourne said:
Orcio14 said:
I watch the prices of photographic equipment form many years and come to the conclusion that manufacturers have probably now lost contact with the reality their clients live. They probably think, for example, that 700 USD is so small amount that they can offer "toy" class equipment and do not worry about what the client expects.

Do you think so too?
Click to expand...
Yes, the camera makers have really shot themselves in the food. Why get a toy entry level rebel of d3xxx, which commands no respect and has few to no features, when one can get a "pro" Samsung Note or iPhone for the same price?
Click to expand...
You’re being sarcastic, right?
 
Low prices can sometimes be a company's worst nightmare.

If you look at Apple, one of the reasons they're so successful is the great, enviable prices they charge.

They recently released a monitor stand costing $999--and they're doing better than ever.

The camera makers should take a page from Apple's book...on both pricing and design fronts. They should remove all unsightly ports and just sell dongles. They should make the battery non user replaceable.

Having said that, they don't have a Jonny Ive of their own, so I won't be holding my breath.
 
Put it this way. If you value your photos, then the cost of the equipment can justify it.

If i value a great photo at $1 and i take 1000 of them. I have $1,000 of value. you draw on the line of what value means to you. Some place a higher value and will buy the higher end stuff others don't so will be happy with entry level gear.
 
This subject seems to come up every few weeks like clockwork. The truth is that cameras are more capable than every before and even the inexpensive ones are capable of taking incredible images. If you look at what cameras cost decades ago and adjust for actual value, then cameras these days aren't nearly so expensive.

A site like DPR here is really designed to appeal to folks' lust for gear so people are wanting the most capable, most expensive gear but they shouldn't be surprised that the prices for high end gear are high... as they've always been.

I'm selling my Olympus EM10, which I consider to be a very capable camera, with a lens even for $250, which I'd say that unless you're shooting sports, wildlife or candles in the dark should be enough camera for anyone to take great images with... that is, if they even have the skills and imagination to do great work.
 
AND if somebody thinks the prices are too high they can always buy the stuff of yesterday generally for FAR less.
 
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I don't think they're expensive. We have a choice in which gear we choose to buy or not buy.

And unlike the film days, you don't have to pay or spend time and money developing your pictures. If you don't like what you've got, just delete it. So really your expenses are all up front for the most part. Once you've got the equipment it really doesn't have to cost you anything.

I think two of my best photographic purchases were a very expensive Olympus zoom lens dating from the 4/3 ( not m43) system, and a Sony RX100 M6. Some people would think these were foolish purchases, but to me they were worth every penny.
 
Orcio14 said:
I watch the prices of photographic equipment form many years and come to the conclusion that manufacturers have probably now lost contact with the reality their clients live. They probably think, for example, that 700 USD is so small amount that they can offer "toy" class equipment and do not worry about what the client expects.

Do you think so too?
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Your conclusion is delusion.

They know thier clients more than you and me and all of us here. Else they can not sell any model and eat lost long time ago.

The obvious example is that Red Dot company. They can sell their version more expensive than the original Japanese version. Sell well too. Model after model. No any sign of lost or bankrupcy at all.



BTW, this curve exists since eon ago. You can find it in every standard textbook of its field.



640px-Diffusionofideas.png




Everything are expensive for you because you put yourself at the very left of the curve. Despite you are poor.

--
Flashes of my Memory.
 
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Orcio14 said:
I watch the prices of photographic equipment form many years and come to the conclusion that manufacturers have probably now lost contact with the reality their clients live. They probably think, for example, that 700 USD is so small amount that they can offer "toy" class equipment and do not worry about what the client expects.

Do you think so too?
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Full frame digital cameras are cheaper than they have ever been.

Lenses with modern stabilization and high frame rate, high resolution are appropriately priced. You can always buy older lenses and adapt them for traditional pricing there, but don't compare modern lens capability with legacy lens pricing.
 
Indeed if one is salivating over newest greatest gear with latest features that is priced for rich customers. But then that has always been so. Most of us do just fine with less as it is more about skill, knowledge, talent than a bag full of expensive gear.

--
David
 
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