Is It Worth the Wait?
One of the constant issues on photo forums is whether to wait for an upgrade to whatever DSLR seems close to the end of its product cycle or whether to buy now, when prices are at their lowest. Product cycles these days range from 16-24 months, depending on whether the camera is designed more for amateurs (faster cycles) or enthusiasts (slower cycles).
As always, the answer is "It depends." If you simply must have the latest and greatest, then you might as well wait--but with the understanding that you might be waiting longer than you expected. There's often a lag between when a camera is introduced and when it's actually in stock. Once it's available and the reviews start rolling in, you may discover that it falls short of your expectations. Dreams and reality seldom coincide. Finally, you'll be paying a price premium. Most retailers charge close to list price when a camera has just been introduced. Rebates and discounts appear only after a camera has been on the market for a half-year or so. Still, if you can't stand the thought that you could have had a "much better camera" (though not necessarily better pictures) if you had only waited, then by all means wait.
On the other hand, if you buy now, you'll be getting a proven commodity at a price that's about as low as it's going to get. For examples you need look no further than the Canon EOS 40D, which is now selling in the U.S. with a $200 instant rebate, and the Nikon D80, which is now selling for $200 less than when it was introduced. You can find similar examples among the other brands as well. For many photographers, $200 is the difference between being able to afford a camera and not. For others, it's the difference between having to settle for the kit lens or upgrading to something better.
There is, of course a third option: Keep whatever you've got now. It costs nothing, strengthens your character, and demonstrates that you are an independent thinker, immune to the enticements of the marketeers. Whatever you decide, rest assured that that camera you own today will take much better photographs than the one you hope to own one day.
As always, the answer is "It depends." If you simply must have the latest and greatest, then you might as well wait--but with the understanding that you might be waiting longer than you expected. There's often a lag between when a camera is introduced and when it's actually in stock. Once it's available and the reviews start rolling in, you may discover that it falls short of your expectations. Dreams and reality seldom coincide. Finally, you'll be paying a price premium. Most retailers charge close to list price when a camera has just been introduced. Rebates and discounts appear only after a camera has been on the market for a half-year or so. Still, if you can't stand the thought that you could have had a "much better camera" (though not necessarily better pictures) if you had only waited, then by all means wait.
On the other hand, if you buy now, you'll be getting a proven commodity at a price that's about as low as it's going to get. For examples you need look no further than the Canon EOS 40D, which is now selling in the U.S. with a $200 instant rebate, and the Nikon D80, which is now selling for $200 less than when it was introduced. You can find similar examples among the other brands as well. For many photographers, $200 is the difference between being able to afford a camera and not. For others, it's the difference between having to settle for the kit lens or upgrading to something better.
There is, of course a third option: Keep whatever you've got now. It costs nothing, strengthens your character, and demonstrates that you are an independent thinker, immune to the enticements of the marketeers. Whatever you decide, rest assured that that camera you own today will take much better photographs than the one you hope to own one day.
Good post. I myself took advantage of the cycle when I bought my Pentax K10d late last year. The K20 was just on the horizon, got a great rebate thru Amazon, including a good deal on perhaps the best kit lens ever made.
I'll prolly do the same thing when the next cycle rolls through and the K20d gets cheap.
#3 was not an option this time around though because my previous DSLR was a Nikon D1X that was almost 6 years old and really starting to show its age.
On a tangent, do you think a lot of us who bought into dslr's early were really guinea pigs for the industry as to how long these things would last?
It seemed to me that the sensor on my D1x was starting to get noisier and noisier over the last year.
Keep posting, love the blog
Posted by: Louis Doench | June 01, 2008 at 05:56 AM
Let's just say we were "early adopters." It's generally understood that when you're among the first to buy new technology you'll pay more for fewer features and less performance than if you had waited. On the other hand, if you wait you lose the opportunity to learn, enjoy and profit from ownership.
As one who makes his living from technology, I'm inclined to buy sooner rather than later, but only at a price I'm comfortable with. In general I'd rather pay a discounted/rebated price on an older but excellent piece of equipment than full price for the latest marvel.
Posted by: Gordon Lewis | June 01, 2008 at 06:11 PM