What you get for your money

[Stephen]

I had a promotional email from Canon Europe today. It was making people aware of the new look Canon Pro Network website. However one of the things on the site was a set of Masterclass videos talking about the various features of the new 1D MkIII.

I have been absolutely staggered by just what this camera will do, and it occurred to me just why Pro cameras such as this cost so much compared with their much cheaper entry level cameras.

I would urge anyone, Canon user or not, who has in the past questioned why the likes of the 1D/1DS cost so much more, to look at these short videos.

It really is not a question of whether a person needs such cameras, clearly they don't. But to a Pro who can make use of them, they can be worth the money and make the difference between capturing the image or not. This new MkIII model is awesome and watching the videos brinks it home to you what you are getting for the money.

[Ian]

Re: What you get for your money

I had a promotional email from Canon Europe today. It was making people aware of the new look Canon Pro Network website. However one of the things on the site was a set of Masterclass videos talking about the various features of the new 1D MkIII.

I have been absolutely staggered by just what this camera will do, and it occurred to me just why Pro cameras such as this cost so much compared with their much cheaper entry level cameras.

I would urge anyone, Canon user or not, who has in the past questioned why the likes of the 1D/1DS cost so much more, to look at these short videos.

It really is not a question of whether a person needs such cameras, clearly they don't. But to a Pro who can make use of them, they can be worth the money and make the difference between capturing the image or not. This new MkIII model is awesome and watching the videos brinks it home to you what you are getting for the money.

From a manufacturing point of view, the main factor is the sensor cost. So Stephen - are you psyching yourself for a quiet chat with the missus about the need for an upgrade

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: What you get for your money

From a manufacturing point of view, the main factor is the sensor cost. So Stephen - are you psyching yourself for a quiet chat with the missus about the need for an upgrade

Ian

Undoubtedly the cost of the larger sensors adds to the price significantly, but it wouldn't in the case of a Nikon D2x would it. The cost of R&D, higher tolerances, superior build quality, dual processors etc etc all play their part in the final price. But that aside, when you see what you are getting for your money, as shown in these videos, you feel some justification in shelling out the dosh

As for me, there is little chance of me buying one. I decided when I got the 1DMkII to go down the Leasing route and I've still a couple of years to run on that. If I'm honest with myself, it still will do all I'll ever need in 2 years time. Famous last words

[Ian]

Re: What you get for your money

Undoubtedly the cost of the larger sensors adds to the price significantly, but it wouldn't in the case of a Nikon D2x would it.

The cost of R&D, higher tolerances, superior build quality, dual processors etc etc all play their part in the final price.

Of course, but these are fairly minor compared to the sensor cost at this level.

But that aside, when you see what you are getting for your money, as shown in these videos, you feel some justification in shelling out the dosh

As for me, there is little chance of me buying one. I decided when I got the 1DMkII to go down the Leasing route and I've still a couple of years to run on that. If I'm honest with myself, it still will do all I'll ever need in 2 years time. Famous last words

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: What you get for your money

Of course, of course, no argument there. But you are missing my point a little

The relative differences in cost between such cameras and their cheaper siblings ie the D2x and D40x or a 1D and a 400D is still marked, even if in the case of the Canon you take the cost of the sensor out of the equation.

There are some Prosumer models that cost almost as much as the entry level dSLR's and the same principle surely applies.

[Ian]

Re: What you get for your money

Of course, of course, no argument there. But you are missing my point a little

The relative differences in cost between such cameras and their cheaper siblings ie the D2x and D40x or a 1D and a 400D is still marked, even if in the case of the Canon you take the cost of the sensor out of the equation.

There are some Prosumer models that cost almost as much as the entry level dSLR's and the same principle surely applies.

I wanted to emphasise the fact (which is often overlooked) that big sensors are *very* expensive to make. As a consequence, the bill of materials cost of these cameras is dominated by the sensor. On top of that, such cameras are made in much smaller quantities and so have less cost saving through economies of scale.

I'll bet that Canon and Nikon make a good deal more per unit profit on their pro-spec cameras than their consumer models.

In that respect, they are charging for the higher spec. of the camera and quite right too. But (sensor aside) manufacturing cost differences are not, on paper, as big as the end-price would suggest.

It's a bit like with the car industry - it's easier to make more profit on larger, higher spec. cars than compacts. The fundamental manufacturing costs are not hugely different, but customer prices are.

Ian