In this kind of technology, most of the value of newer products is in the research and development. Manufacturing plays a smaller part, especially for high-end newest toys.
Over time, competition pushes prices down while the technology becomes mainstream. Under this pressure, the manufacturing cost remains more or less the same, but prices still must go down. Eventually, the older models street prices become very close to the manufacturing costs, margins become as thin as cigarette paper, and older models are eventually discontinued after a few years. My approach is to buy such things, say, at 2/3 to 3/4 of their commercial lifetime. I get proven technology, with all upgrades and feedback from other users, at a very fair price. Therefore, I bought my *ist DS only last year when prices suddenly fell way down. Next step will probably be an AS body (K100D?), but as I do not *need* this feature (I just would love to have it!), I'll most probably wait a couple years. Of course, I may act a bit differently if photography was not just a leisure, but I needed maximum productivity. Ultimately the question is all about what one *needs* at one particular time. My current 6 Mpix DSLR is far more than I could have dreamt of just a few years ago. Patrice Collin R Brendemuehl a écrit : > A consideration: > We must remember that these DSLRs are now just computers and > the longer we hang onto older technology the faster it loses value. > The faster upgrade may be the cheaper way to go. > > > > Sincerely, > > Collin Brendemuehl > http://www.brendemuehl.net > http://evangelicalperspective.blogspot.com > > "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" > -- Jim Elliott > > > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net