Please explain the high cost of digital backs

[hjoseph7]

"I dont however understand why a 20 megapixel digital back is 3 times the cost of a 5D Mark II. "

 

 

Maybe some new revolution in photography will change all that and the prices will start dropping like crazy, but I dont see that happening in the near future. On the other hand, do you realize that a Canon EOS- 3(AF film camera) was selling for close to $1800 about 8 years ago and now they are selling for peanuts on eBay ! I wonder what happened to all those Production Costs.

[ivan_j._eberle1]

<p>Because sufficient numbers of pros would pay more, once-upon-a-time, and the $50K cost of a MFDB was less than what they were paying for film and lab costs if they were doing high-volume production work. It was an economic decision more than an aesthetic one for most pros who bought them.<br>

3MP DSLRs cobbled together out of Nikon F5's once cost $40K too. They were the fastest Ferrari's of the day when street cars wouldn't go 200 MPH (in those days it was the instantaneous feedback loop, not ISO's, that works with the speed analogy).<br>

To continue with an auto racing metaphor, MF digital is cratering because the few that truly need a Formula One car to compete either have one already, or simply came to the realization that it's a bad business model without deep-pocket sponsors.</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Look at CD Burners compared to LF/MF digital backs:</p>

<p>The first CD Burner here was a 2X speed and cost about 550 bucks. Today they come with every Walmart 400 buck computer as a CD/DVD Burner. The units cost is about say 10 to 15 bucks to the OEM guys.</p>

<p>The First used LF scan back here was about 10 grand; that was about in 1997. It was a used one 35 megapixels. A new one was about 20 to 25K.</p>

<p>Today a Betterlight Model 6000E-HS is 9495 dollars; it shoots a 6000x8000 pixel image; 137 Megs</p>

<p>http://www.betterlight.com/products4X5.html</p>

<p>The second Phase One 4x5 scan back here shoots a 6000x8400 pixel image; 144 megs in photoshop It is from about 1998ish as was bought used for 4000 bucks.</p>

<p>These LF/MF digital backs have never really dropped in pricing in a radical way.</p>

<p>Ponder *WHY* things like CD burners cost 1/20th of what they cost eons ago; and burn 20 times faster.</p>

<p>Ponder *WHY* things like a MF/LF digital backs have dropped only about 1/2 in pricing.</p>

<p>Pull out all the stoppers; is it a big conspriracy? labor? insurance? some weird patent? That folks not shop around? Maybe it is LF and MF digital back buyers do not mailorder; or do the internet; ie they are sold door to door by the Fuller Brush man?</p>

<p>Both of my LF 4x5 digital backs here will work on a 1940 Speed Graphic with spring back; or a more modern one with a Grafloc back. There is no patent issue with making accessories that fit a 70 year old camera's back.</p>

<p>Both MF and LF backs have been made long enough the patents if any are about expired; ie 17 years.</p>

<p>Maybe pricing is high due to some big conspiracy by processing labs; or by film makers. Maybe these two groups bought up all the patents; like Detroit did with those 100 MPG carbs for cars.</p>

<p>Ponder why 220 and Kodachrome's plugs got pulled; it by gosh cannot be costs; it is a big conspiracy by the digital camera folks!</p>

<p> </p>

[ricardo_court]

<p>@<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=4096107">Jeff Livacich</a><br>

True. The discussion that ensued was much more interesting than @kelly flannigan was willing to admit.</p>

[jeff_livacich]

<p>Well, Ivan, at least they don't have to deal with Bernie Ecclestone!</p>