X-Pro3 Prices following the X100V...

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

Foskito wrote:

All you guys claiming my theory is a "crazy conspiracy theory" probably are not familiar with working in branding of luxury brands (as I do) and do not know how those brands create hype and built reputation.

So I am going to have to explain AGAIN so maybe you can GET it this time...

To be fair, the effects of supply outstripping inflation are well documented in basic economics books, and the branding and marketing ploys that exploit irrational consumer behaviour are well documented and illustrated in modern economics books by Dan Ariely and others. It’s not all that hard to grasp.

But the Swatch example is different to Fujifilm cameras.

The Omega x Swatch watch is a collaboration. Both brands trade on branding (because all most of their products do is tell the time) but one is a very high-value, high-class brand and the other a much lower-end, high-street cool one. An analogous camera would be not so much a Fujifilm as a “Leica x Lomo”.

The watch also has several special editions. It’s being milked. One edition is sold and the next springs up, taking advantage of demand while still ensuring exclusivity. Where are the special edition X100Vs?

Watches have virtually no functional differentiation, and almost all premium watches are priced purely in desirability—whether that’s simple brand affinity, restricted supply or manufacturing novelties such as being manufactured during a full moon or having parts cut from the fuselage of a wrecked Spitfire—or some combination thereof. Cameras compete heavily on functionality and niches in terms of usability—not uniquely so, but heavily. There is no camera like the X100V (fixed wide angle lens, traditional controls, viewfinder, etc) other than the Leica Q, and it makes no economic or banding sense for the lower-priced product to try to raise its price towards the higher-quality product on branding alone.

Some of us at least do understand the point you’re trying to make, and how exclusivity works in terms of economics. But that doesn’t mean that we believe that Fuji are contriving this whole situation, or that a specific watch collaboration is accurately analogous.

Anyroad… I think we will have to agree to disagree. Our opinions will change nothing, in any case.

Exactly

Jazz1 wrote:

nurseMarty wrote:

I agree with Jazz1. Are these people crazy?

I want an X 100 V. I am not willing to pay a premium for a new or used body. As a result, I am waiting for the X 100 VI to come out. I am assuming it will have IBIS & the new sensor. I am sorry the XPRO3 is also commands a premium.

It appears Fuji is not picking up the slack by increasing production of either of these models. Fair enough. I will not pay the premium the market is demanding. The good news, for me, is I have other Fuji gear. I will use the gear that I have. It is more than adequate for my needs. I can, and will, wait for the new iterations to be announced. At that point I will order the X100 VI. The same can be said for the XPRO4. It is a shame if you need this gear now.

It is good to know over time this problem will work itself out. I have the will, patience, frugality, and enough older gear to wait this situation out. YMMV.

Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

I wish there was an easy way to fix these inflated prices. I’m still not sure what the real cause is. But I think there is danger that potential Fujifilm buyers old and new are going to delay purchases, or jump brands.

When someone like b&h only has the latest bodies like the X-T5 and their mainstream camera like the x-S10 in stock, I think it’s pretty clear. They just can’t make enough due to manufacturing constraints and parts issues. They have to decide what to make and when. It’s a sad time in the camera world. I’m sure it’s killing them knowing they are leaving money out there that could easily be theirs.  I see other brands with many models out of stock too.

John Gellings wrote:

Jazz1 wrote:

nurseMarty wrote:

I agree with Jazz1. Are these people crazy?

I want an X 100 V. I am not willing to pay a premium for a new or used body. As a result, I am waiting for the X 100 VI to come out. I am assuming it will have IBIS & the new sensor. I am sorry the XPRO3 is also commands a premium.

It appears Fuji is not picking up the slack by increasing production of either of these models. Fair enough. I will not pay the premium the market is demanding. The good news, for me, is I have other Fuji gear. I will use the gear that I have. It is more than adequate for my needs. I can, and will, wait for the new iterations to be announced. At that point I will order the X100 VI. The same can be said for the XPRO4. It is a shame if you need this gear now.

It is good to know over time this problem will work itself out. I have the will, patience, frugality, and enough older gear to wait this situation out. YMMV.

Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

I wish there was an easy way to fix these inflated prices. I’m still not sure what the real cause is. But I think there is danger that potential Fujifilm buyers old and new are going to delay purchases, or jump brands.

When someone like b&h only has the latest bodies like the X-T5 and their mainstream camera like the x-S10 in stock, I think it’s pretty clear. They just can’t make enough due to manufacturing constraints and parts issues. They have to decide what to make and when. It’s a sad time in the camera world. I’m sure it’s killing them knowing they are leaving money out there that could easily be theirs. I see other brands with many models out of stock too.

I have bought 3 Fujifilm cameras so far, none from stock:-

X-T4 Pre-ordered at launch 2020

X-100V Ordered May 2021, delivered 1 month later

X-T5 Ordered Nov 2022, collected December

If I want a particular thing enough I am willing to wait. The wait for cars and motorhomes is much, much longer.

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

RobRoy22 wrote:

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

Maybe, neither of us knows... but I'm pretty sure they'd like to be capitalizing on the fact that the X100V is extremely hot.

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

Maybe, neither of us knows... but I'm pretty sure they'd like to be capitalizing on the fact that the X100V is extremely hot.

Customers can order one.

RobRoy22 wrote:

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

Maybe, neither of us knows... but I'm pretty sure they'd like to be capitalizing on the fact that the X100V is extremely hot.

Customers can order one.

Not everyone lives in the same place in the world... and the wait times have been long.  That is why these threads exist.

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

Maybe, neither of us knows... but I'm pretty sure they'd like to be capitalizing on the fact that the X100V is extremely hot.

Customers can order one.

Not everyone lives in the same place in the world... and the wait times have been long. That is why these threads exist.

Long? What is the wait time where you live?

RobRoy22 wrote:

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

John Gellings wrote:

RobRoy22 wrote:

From Fuji’s position they may well be losing some sales to other brands. But even if they have the capacity to step-up significantly, including their parts suppliers (which I doubt) producing many more units would likely have a negative effect on working capital and cash-flow.

Maybe, neither of us knows... but I'm pretty sure they'd like to be capitalizing on the fact that the X100V is extremely hot.

Customers can order one.

Not everyone lives in the same place in the world... and the wait times have been long. That is why these threads exist.

Long? What is the wait time where you live?

Well, I live in Chile, so we are very low on the priority list, but even in the USA it can be months for the X100V.  Haven’t you seen the fact that b&h in the USA doesn’t even allow orders anymore?  That is why these threads and outrageous prices exist.