[bunegg]

im on the verge of jumping after seeing what c is doing.. if they release a killer ff that fits my wallet im leaving pentax

[Art Vandelay II]

I love the $2,000 price point for brand new full frame dslrs. Theres just something magical about it. Use it for 4 or five years and sell it for $1,000 or more. Cost of annual ownership? $200-$250 a year, cheaper than renting.?

I wonder if that 50% loss ratio will hold up over 4 or 5 years. I somehow doubt it. 5 years is a long time in the camera world. Perhaps you can sell one for a 50% loss after using it 2 or 3 years, but 4 or 5 is pushing it.

Don't get me wrong, I think DSLR technology has pretty much plateaued at this point and there's not much of a reason to upgrade to a new body unless yours is worn out or you're into video. Obviously if the new models aren't much better than their predecessors that will help out the resale value of the older model (look at the D300/D300s for example), but still, used is used and 5 years is a lot of shutter actuations and wear on a camera body. I personally would only pay up to 30% original cost for a 5 year old camera.

[Samsungian]

My 5D new cost me $1750 in early 2008.

So in 2013 you're thinking I could only get 30% of what it cost me new or just $550.

If this is the case then thats $1,250 it cost over 5 years of use or...


$250 a year

I wonder if that 50% loss ratio will hold up over 4 or 5 years. I somehow doubt it. 5 years is a long time in the camera world. Perhaps you can sell one for a 50% loss after using it 2 or 3 years, but 4 or 5 is pushing it.

Don't get me wrong, I think DSLR technology has pretty much plateaued at this point and there's not much of a reason to upgrade to a new body unless yours is worn out or you're into video. Obviously if the new models aren't much better than their predecessors that will help out the resale value of the older model (look at the D300/D300s for example), but still, used is used and 5 years is a lot of shutter actuations and wear on a camera body. I personally would only pay up to 30% original cost for a 5 year old camera.

[Art Vandelay II]

My 5D new cost me $1750 in early 2008.

So in 2013 you're thinking I could only get 30% of what it cost me new or just $550.

I think you'll be lucky to get $550 for it in 2013 to be honest. I saw one sell for $900 just last week. By 2013 we should have a few midrange FF DSLR's to choose from that will all blow the originally 5D away in pretty much every aspect aside from build quality. There is no way in the world I'd pay $800-900 (based on the original 50% assumption of buy for $2000 sell for $1000) for a 5D in the year 2013 if something like an 20mp FF K20D, with 3" OLED screen, and video is on the market for $1500.

[Samsungian]

I wouldn't try to sell mine for $900 today.
Any idea the condition and included bits and shutter acuations on the $900 5D ?


Have a look at KEH, they ask $1370 to $1600 for their 5D Classic 12mp. All Ex to EX+ .
From time to time KEH has no 5D Classics so they do find homes at KEH pricing.

Canon Digital Camera Bodies - KEH.com

Some people like the 5D 12mp file size versus 5D Mark II 21mp and some like the lack of HD.


But you could easily be right in guessing what the future holds.

At $250 a year cost of depreciation/use and my $1750 upfront outlay anything above zero money recouped at end of 7 years means 5D cost me less than $250 a year. If the camera is worthless and if I got to use it 7 years then my $250 a year cost to use a full frame dslr is valid. Some 5D owners have had their 5D for five years, so two short of 7 years. I guess mine will work fine in 2013 and at seven years, 2015. I shoot off about 5,000 images a year per full frame and shutters are rated at 100,000.

You know since we're guessing & all, thats my guess.

[Art Vandelay II]

Have a look at KEH, they ask $1370 to $1600 for their 5D Classic 12mp. All Ex to EX+ .
From time to time KEH has no 5D Classics so they do find homes at KEH pricing.

I like KEH, but their prices on camera bodies absolutely suck compared to what cameras are going for on eBay. Their lens pricing is a little closer to eBay, but even there you typically have to pay a little more. But they do provide a nice service to those that understandably hate eBay or can't wait for an auction to end.

I don't recall the exact condition of the one that sold for $920, but I don't remember it having any major dings or scuffs on it. There are quite a few of them up for auction now ending in the next 2 days, bids currently range anywhere from $600-1200. The $1200 claims to be in mint condition. There's another one ending soon ahead of it that also looks to be in very good condition that's only at $960. eBay is a weird place. Also, keep in mind the 5D was a $3300 camera when it was first released, not everyone got an $1800 deal on it. Those that paid over $3k for it in 2006 and selling it now are losing around $2000 on it for 4 years of use.

Either way, your point is valid, when you look at from a yearly cost perspective virtually any camera aside from the $7000 giant Canikons are excellent values if you plan to sell it after 3 years of use. Hardly any camera will cost you more than $500 per year. Needless to say a film shooter from 20 years ago would have gladly accepted a $500/year operating cost.

However if you want real value K20D's are selling from $550-650 used now. Their price may drop to $300 in 3 more years, but a $125/year operating cost is nothing.

[Samsungian]

My K20D cost me $689 new, November 2008

$650 used for a K20D camera I've had 15 months is holding its resale well.


I learned my lesson in 2006 & never pay full price for a dslr. 2006 was last time I paid full price for a dslr. Waiting for best price has its benefits. I miss no shots while I wait as I already own a Dslr or in my case 6 Dslrs. 3 K Mount, 2 FF Canon and a FF Nikon.

It would be nice if Pentax offered full frame and shake reduction together.
If Pentax offered only full frame & did not include shake reduction inbody too I doubt I'd buy into it now.

I suspect Canon will respond to Nikon's newly announced 16-35mm f4 full frame vibration reduction lens. I've already seen links to a couple Canon ultrawide IS lens USA Patents so the clock is ticking...
Thus the lure of stabilizing ultrawide lens inbody via K-Mount Full Frame will no longer appeal to me.

Nikon's 16-35mm Full Frame Ultrawide & VR lens is chipping away at Pentax Niche:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10020902nikon16mm35mm.asp

edit, edit

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Last edited by Samsungian; 02-15-2010 at 09:18 PM.