DSLR price drop?

[kevin512]

In the near future, do you think there will be a major price drop in DSLRs? I want to purchase one, but find the prices a bit extreme. I would like to buy a Canon Rebel but am holding off.

Thanks,
Kevin512

[ktixx]

Do you mean rebel (300D) or rebel xt (350D)? You can probably get a used rebel (300D) for reasonably cheap on ebay. In the near future companies will probably start to come out with lesser price DSLR's such as the Nikon D50, but you have to remeber, DSLR's are higher end cameras and will probably never be available under $500 for the body. If you are really not interested in spending a lot of money on your camera, I would not sugest an SLR, as the innitial cost of the lens and body are just the beginning. As you start to grow in your skills you will want to purchase more and more equipment to better your photography (ie: Lenses, Flashes, Filters, Memory Cards, Reflectors etc. etc). Look into getting a very nice point and shoot with full manual controls. This will be a cheaper option and will still give you great results.
Ken

[photosytes]

I have a Fuji S5000 that would be perfect for you (they have newer versions since, of course). It has a 10X optical zoom lense, the newer versions have more MP than mine and it takes excellent pictures in full auto. It also has creative zones (portrait, action, landscape, etc...) and even full manual.

Pros:

Cheaper than SLR since you won't need to buy lenses
Comes with a built in flash
Can be used in full manual or full auto
Takes crisp, sharp pictures
Lightweight
Uses fast xD memory card


Cons:

Although there are a few adapters for the lense, it isn't an SLR with interchangeable lenses
Can't use an external flash unit
Start up lag and lag between shots
Still more expensive than some other cameras


This was my first digital camera and it's great for candids and other shots when you didn't want to bring your SLR system with you. As ktizz said, any SLR is going to end up costing you more than you seem to want to invest. Check out your alternatives. Figure out exactly what you want to be able to do with a camera. Even cheap lenses add up and there isn't one lens out there that will do everything you want to do.

Just food for thought.

[cdifoto]

Here's a bit of sticker shock to give you a basic idea of how much it truly costs to have a dSLR. I own a little over $7,000 worth of gear...and it all fits in my backpack style camera bag. My collection is actually quite small compared to a lot of more serious folks out there. The only reason it's even that low is because I have 2 entry level camera bodies instead of the pro cameras that run around $3,000-8,000 each. Knock off about $800 if you only buy one camera body. I have 2 because I shoot professionally (not big time but I'm getting there) and don't want to be stranded.

I still don't own a lightmeter, filters, studio lights, backgrounds, or a wide angle lens - among many other things.

And no, I'm not bragging. I really don't have enough to brag about. The point is that it all adds up...quickly. I just got my first dSLR in June 2005...I haven't been into it that long.

[TheObiJuan]

I am content with the prices of most dslrs now.
They are dirt cheap compared to what they used to cost years ago.
It's only getting better.

[kevin512]

I understand that buying a DSLR will be expensive, but I want to know if they will become more reasonable in the future. What I do not truely understand is the price gap between SLRs and DSLRs. Is there actually that big of a difference between the bodies of the camera (other than the sensor)? As of now I would love to buy a DSLR but feel like there is a price bubble... does anyone forsee it bursting anytime soon? I listen to Clark Howard sometimes and he said to hold off until the Summer.

Thanks,
Kevin512

[cdifoto]

I understand that buying a DSLR will be expensive, but I want to know if they will become more reasonable in the future. What I do not truely understand is the price gap between SLRs and DSLRs. Is there actually that big of a difference between the bodies of the camera (other than the sensor)? As of now I would love to buy a DSLR but feel like there is a price bubble... does anyone forsee it bursting anytime soon? I listen to Clark Howard sometimes and he said to hold off until the Summer.

Thanks,
Kevin512

The price difference is there because there's no film to keep buying. Your camera IS your film.

It's already been stated that dSLRs are way down already. A used Canon Rebel can be had for less than the price of a Canon S2 Point n Shoot.

[TampaJim]

Even if dSLR's come down in price soon - we are only talking about the bodies. Not the lenses, not the flashes, not the bags, not the batteries, etc. In addition, how drastic a drop would we be talking about? Enough to make doing without and missing great opportunities worthwhile?

Like cdi-buy said, it only starts with the body. You will very easily spend 2-3 times the body price in just basic accessories. This hobby can be very addictive - caveat emptor. Don't be afraid, be very afraid!!

[Rhys]

Every time I do the maths, SLRs and a scanner work out cheaper. Honestly though, digital is so much fun that it'd be a shame to miss out on. If you want to wait for the prices to fall (which they will over time) and you want to be reasonably sure of a good camera system then you need to buy a cheapish SLR and build up good lenses. For example, Tamron's XR Di lenses and any of the film SLRs by Canon, Nikon or possibly Pentax. Then when you find a dSLR at a price you like, you can leap. Avoid cheap lenses as they'll work poorly with digital.

[ktixx]

I understand that buying a DSLR will be expensive, but I want to know if they will become more reasonable in the future. What I do not truely understand is the price gap between SLRs and DSLRs. Is there actually that big of a difference between the bodies of the camera (other than the sensor)? As of now I would love to buy a DSLR but feel like there is a price bubble... does anyone forsee it bursting anytime soon? I listen to Clark Howard sometimes and he said to hold off until the Summer.

We are no longer talking about a piece of Plastic Coated in Light Sensitive Silver Halide Salts (ie: film - which (although changing) has been around for ~175 Years), we are talking about a Sensor approximately an Inch wide that contains millions of light capturing devices, microns wide, that turn light waves into electrons (which has been around for about 15 Years). We are talking about processors that take those electrons and arrange them into a usable image. We are talking about proprietary software written to be able to decrypt the RAW encoding of the camera. Digital Camera's are much more complex then film cameras and it is like saying you are waiting for DSLR’s to drop to the price of Film SLR’s is like saying you are waiting for a BMW to drop to the price of a Ford Escort. Sure eventually you can purchase a BMW cheaper than a Ford escort, but it will most likely be used, and will not contain the newest features such as GPS and heated seats. The same goes for Digital SLR's. In a year or two you can probably get a used 300D for under $300, but the camera will be near broken down (shutter life will almost be used up) and you will not get the newest features such improved noise, faster/better focusing, more Dynamic Range, etc. etc.
Finally as everyone (including myself) has stated, the camera body is the beginning, I spent $1200 on my 20d a year ago, and have since spent about $1400 on accessories (Lenses, Flash, Filters, Batteries, etc.) – and that is CHEAP. A Digital SLR and a film SLR for that matter are investments, certainly not for the casual photographer.
As of right now, Digital SLR's are pretty reasonable, what wasn't reasonable was purchasing a Sony Mavica for $900 9 years ago that would give you a wopping resolution of 0.48MP or a purchasing a 1MP Kodak Digital Back 9 years ago for $15k
Ken

[Rhys]

Given that there's not much more manufacturing cost to a dSLR than to an SLR, they're currently still over-priced.

[cdifoto]

Given that there's not much more manufacturing cost to a dSLR than to an SLR, they're currently still over-priced.

Of course there is. You really believe it's as cheap to build the film and hardware (ie small computer) into a camera body as it is to build a similiar body WITHOUT those components?

What planet do you live on Rhys?

There is a LOT more to a dSLR than a film SLR...you get a big bang for your buck these days. They're always going to keep going down in price but new technology is always at a premium as well.

Out of your budget does not equal overpriced.

[ktixx]

Given that there's not much more manufacturing cost to a dSLR than to an SLR, they're currently still over-priced.
The only real difference between a film SLR and a digital SLR is the addition of a built in sensor, by your statement that SLR's and DSLR's cost the same to manufacture, you must be saying that the sensor costs next to nothing to produce? I highly doubt that...

[aparmley]

DSLR bodies will come and go just as they have in the past. New-cutting edge bodies will cost more than last years model. The body is a cost, sure, but its not going to be your largest cost.

Lenses
Storage Media all types - CF, hard drive, backups: CD, DVD - 5.25 floppy [who else is laughing their donkey behinds off?], Portable storage, port-o-potties. . .
Printers
Paper
Inks
Shipping charges
Krispy - Kremes
bags to carry it all
Food to fuel your endeavors
insurance to cover it all - if you so choose
Time - perhaps the biggest cost of all - It will take time away from your life like you won't believe! Time to learn it, time to experiment, time to edit, time to backup, time to experiment some more, time to review, time to delete, organize, backup again, time to learn some more oh yea
Books - a book here or there to help you understand photography
Books - a book here or there to help you understand digital photo editors
time to read those books, time to apply the knowledge learned in those books, time to apply some ideas that the new knowledge learned has given you, time to review those images, organize, delete and backup - oops need some more removable media to back things up too.
More CDS
Your floating in CDs, so you buy a DVD burner, then you buy DVDS
Backing up your photos to DVD, then it hits you. If you are going to back your photos up to DVD and set them on the shelf next your computer, that will be great to have if your Hardrive or OS crashes, but what about a flood or fire or act of God, so you buy and anti-Act-of-God box, or what some of us call a fire and water safe.

How did you acquire all of these things? Order online, shipping charges, gas charges to drive to the stores, to the places you want to photograph, or to the places that contain the objects and or people you want to photograph, time driving, time filling up your car at the gas station, time waiting in line at the gas station knowing you just put and even 10 in your tank and want to hand over the ten dollars and be on your way but you can't because of the little-lotto scratch off junkies in front of you that seem to take 10 minutes to be taken care of and get out of your way. . .

TIME.

How much do you make an Hour?
How many Hours have you spent fiddling with Photography?
How much money could you have made in the last year if instead of this money guzzling hobby you focused your time on something else that would earn you money. . . [obviously this is geared towards the hobbists out there and not the ones here making money! They got the right idea!]

Bitter? No - just making a point. It really has not much to do about the Body, other than it triggers everything else. . . Which is where you really spend your money.

Just as soo many have pointed out, what we have expensed on photographery, really is just the tip of the iceberg so to speak, others out there, couple of 5,000 + bodies couple of 3,000 + lenses, 100 GB of CF cards, on and on and on. . . But those are the ones making money off of it. . . but don't let that fool you, just because you aren't going to be spending vast amounts of cash like the pros, you will be spending more than you thought, its addictive, its fun, its wonderful and thats what happens. . .

"Honey, whats this charge on the charge card? Who is B&H?"

You quickly grab your gear and the dog, run out the back door hop in your car, you'll figure out your future on the road. . .

[Rhys]

Of course there is. You really believe it's as cheap to build the film and hardware (ie small computer) into a camera body as it is to build a similiar body WITHOUT those components?

What planet do you live on Rhys?

There is a LOT more to a dSLR than a film SLR...you get a big bang for your buck these days. They're always going to keep going down in price but new technology is always at a premium as well.

Out of your budget does not equal overpriced.

It's just another mass-produced electronic component. It is no different from an SLR except that instead of putting mechanical door opening and film wind/rewind mechanisms into the camera you put a different chunk of electronics that includes an LCD. The production costs will be very similar. If it were really horribly expensive to make dSLRs then so too would it be expensive to make digital compacts and they're churning the cheapest out at about $15 at the moment. The only difference is scale- memory, sensor size, storage capacity etc. They'll all be being churned out by some Korean factory for very low sums. The price does not really reflect production costs - it more reflects how much manufactrers think the can milk the market for.

[erichlund]

The only real difference between a film SLR and a digital SLR is the addition of a built in sensor, by your statement that SLR's and DSLR's cost the same to manufacture, you must be saying that the sensor costs next to nothing to produce? I highly doubt that...
Just the sensor? I think not. Yes, there is the sensor where the film camera has the film channel and winder mechanism. There's that big honking powersucking jumbotron (BHPJ) on the back for displaying your photo (OK, that's D200 centric :) ). There's electronics to store the photos on the other part of the film, the CF card. There's electronics to convert the photo to different formats and change film sensitivity on the fly. There's electronics to change film quality (sharpness, contrast, resolution, etc). On the D200, you can even change to B&W film. Basically, dSLRs are miniaturized computers in a relatively tiny package. Miniaturization is always expensive. There's a battery that acts as a film advance and runs the BHPJ and still gives hundreds to thoushands of shots on a charge, depending on the model.

BTW: Looking at your post, I think I'm agreeing with you. :)

[cdifoto]

It's just another mass-produced electronic component. It is no different from an SLR except that instead of putting mechanical door opening and film wind/rewind mechanisms into the camera you put a different chunk of electronics that includes an LCD. The production costs will be very similar. If it were really horribly expensive to make dSLRs then so too would it be expensive to make digital compacts and they're churning the cheapest out at about $15 at the moment. The only difference is scale- memory, sensor size, storage capacity etc. They'll all be being churned out by some Korean factory for very low sums. The price does not really reflect production costs - it more reflects how much manufactrers think the can milk the market for.

Yeah and that's why my XT says "Made in Japan" on the bottom serial plate. It's all a conspiracy. They don't know their geography anymore than US citizens and think Korea is Japan. Take off the foil cap Rhys. Come back to planet Earth. :rolleyes:

[Rhys]

Yeah and that's why my XT says "Made in Japan" on the bottom serial plate. It's all a conspiracy. They don't know their geography anymore than US citizens and think Korea is Japan. Take off the foil cap Rhys. Come back to planet Earth. :rolleyes:

It is naiive believe that every single component was made in Japan. Only final assembley of some equipment is carried out in Japan. Most of the assemblies are made in Korea and China. Look inside at the focussing mechanism, the display, the CCD assembley, the shutter assembley. Those were made elsewhere.

[cdifoto]

It is naiive believe that every single component was made in Japan. Only final assembley of some equipment is carried out in Japan. Most of the assemblies are made in Korea and China. Look inside at the focussing mechanism, the display, the CCD assembley, the shutter assembley. Those were made elsewhere.

It's just as naiive to say everything is mass produced in Korea.

[Rhys]

It's just as naiive to say everything is mass produced in Korea.

I love sparring with you! Lol. I didn't say "everything". I said "most".

[cdifoto]

I love sparring with you! Lol. I didn't say "everything". I said "most".

Go read the bold part of post #17. It's from your post #15. You said all.

[Rhys]

Go read the bold part of post #17. It's from your post #15. You said all.


Touche!

I still claim most will be made incredibly cheaply.