Anyone else feel like they're being "priced out"?

Anyone else feel like they're being "priced out"? Equipment, I mean.

Yeah, yeah, I know, "supply and demand", yada yada yada. I know how that works, though sometimes I feel like 'demand' plays a more significant role.

Doesn't lessen the frustration, though. A price bump when a new version of a lens is released is expected, but the price bumps of late have been of the variety. I guess I should feel fortunate that my lens line-up, except for a couple items on my wish list, is pretty much set*

I feel like I'm going to be relegated more and more to used equipment, especially lenses. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've bought many used, and have had very good results. I've bought used film bodies in the past, and had good luck as well, but have never bought a digital body used.

*- Who am I kidding? It's never 'set'.

I haven't bought any lenses in awhile but yes I do feel they're getting crazy. Flashes too. I haven't paid attention to bodies.

If Canon's prices are unreasonable (and I agree that they are) it should create an opportunity for 3rd party makers. For example, the new Sigma 35mm 1.4 is going to be about $900, almost 50% less than Canon's equivalent. I think the 4/3s and other systems will also take a bite. If enthusiasts vote with their feet (wallets?) and Canon starts to feel the chill, it should (eventually) make a difference. They did just put out the 40mm pancake, which is now available for $149, and it really is a little gem...

Mookalafalas wrote in post #15270320
If Canon's prices are unreasonable (and I agree that they are) it should create an opportunity for 3rd party makers.

Yeah...it creates an opportunity for third parties to charge Canon's old prices.

It depends how important to you to get the latest and the greatest. I am all set for life here with my 24-70L mark I and 70-200L f2.8 IS mark II, and the 1dmarkIII. I have other luxury lenses like my Carl Zeiss 21 EZ and the Voigtlander 40 f2. I will have to sell them in the future because I don't use them much. I would use the money to get second body, 5dc. I haven't purchased any lenses lately other than into vintage medium format gear. Much cheaper and much more interesting.

I know, I know, I am missing out all the fun on Black Friday and the NEED to get a 5dmarkIII and other markII version lenses.

cdifoto wrote in post #15270339
Yeah...it creates an opportunity for third parties to charge Canon's old prices.

Yeah, never thought the new Tamron 24-70 would cost over 1k though.

TooManyShots wrote in post #15270354
Yeah, never thought the new Tamron 24-70 would cost over 1k though.

Indeed. I find it appealing at that price because Canon wants a ridiculous amount for the new one and didn't even throw in IS. Three years ago, I wouldn't have looked twice at a $1300 third party standard zoom.

TooManyShots wrote in post #15270353
It depends how important to you to get the latest and the greatest. I am all set for life here with my 24-70L mark I and 70-200L f2.8 IS mark II, and the 1dmarkIII. I have other luxury lenses like my Carl Zeiss 21 EZ and the Voigtlander 40 f2. I will have to sell them in the future because I don't use them much. I would use the money to get second body, 5dc. I haven't purchased any lenses lately other than into vintage medium format gear. Much cheaper and much more interesting.

I know, I know, I am missing out all the fun on Black Friday and the NEED to get a 5dmarkIII and other markII version lenses.

Wow.. i'd never assume that! Unless you're like 80, i doubt that EOS/EF mount is going to go on forever.

1Tanker wrote in post #15270373
Wow.. i'd never assume that! Unless you're like 80, i doubt that EOS/EF mount is going to go on forever.

You mean we are about to switch to the "M" mount????

1Tanker wrote in post #15270373
Wow.. i'd never assume that! Unless you're like 80, i doubt that EOS/EF mount is going to go on forever.

Well it's not like you can't buy the old mounts still today. Even if Canon switches to something else, EOS will still be around for a long time on the used market.

What he has today should last him the rest of his life as long as he doesn't break it and can get new batteries.

cdifoto wrote in post #15270390
Well it's not like you can't buy the old mounts still today. Even if Canon switches to something else, EOS will still be around for a long time on the used market.

What he has today should last him the rest of his life as long as he doesn't break it and can get new batteries.

Hheheheheh....I mean, damn, I am shooting some 40+ year-old vintage medium format gear right now. In the next 30 years from now, I am sure there will be demands for EOS cameras and lenses. The only time I will upgrade is if my job requires it. Or, I have some money burning in my pocket.

d30

photoguy6405 wrote in post #15270197
Anyone else feel like they're being "priced out"? Equipment, I mean.

No. There is far too much evidence that shows the price of DSLR bodies has plummeted over the years.

Those who have been dealing with DSLR's for more than a handful of years can recall when rudimentary cameras were priced at more than US $20,000. In 1999, the break-through Nikon D1, considered the first truly usable DSLR, was priced at US $5,000. Around a decade ago, when Canon first manufactured a DSLR, the 3 MP D30, it was priced at US $3,000. Now, cameras that are far superior to those models are available new for around US $700. Even the most basic current Canon DSLR far outperforms the models released a few years ago. Camera companies have been forced to add features to keep price points as high as US $700. Of course, this power of observation is available for only those who remember that digital cameras have been generally available since 1996. If you don't have the perspective from the time when a basic point and shoot camera such as a Kodak DC50 cost more than a current entry level DSLR, you you can't appreciate how prices have dropped and camera capabilities have improved over the years

No, I can't justify any of the MF set ups I'd like to fool around with for my hobby, but I'm ok getting what I want for my current Nikon and Canon bodies.

I have a reasonable number of quality lenses, and the focal lengths I like to shoot are all covered. It would have been nice to upgrade my 70-200 MkI for the 70-200 MkII but the price that Canon brought it in at made me wince and re-think my strategy. The MkI was always considered a damn good lens, and whilst acknowledging that the MkII is recognised as being better, I couldn't justify the extra expense for that marginal difference in quality.

I am in a similar situation with the 5DII and 5DIII, though as bodies are more susceptible to wear than lenses, I guess it's only a matter of time before I finally succumb on that one.

priced out? nahh. i don't have a particularly large investment in my gear and i feel it does a fantastic job.

forums in general are very prone to creating a feeling of discontentment. went through that around a decade ago with a subaru impreza forum--the more i read about other people's cars, their mods, their tools, etc, the more a feeling of inadequacy tended to creep in. the very nature of a forum is "look at MY stuff" whether it be a built engine block or a brand new digital SLR body or a quarter mile timeslip or a studio glamour shot.

like dcfan said, you have to work hard at keeping perspective. no matter how many faster/newer/nicer scoobs are out there, the fact is i've got a 12 second wagon sitting in my driveway that can schlep my family around and is 100% paid off, and that's a very nice thing to have!