Hugely Disappointed In 5D III Price

[LetTheRightLensIn]

So it's out. Seems like a great camera, but I'm incredibly disappointed in the price. After about 4 years after the II, the III comes out at a much higher price tag. Now, if you look at Apple, they release products every year that are better spec'ed yet they don't increase the price with each release just because it was better than the last iteration.

It's expected that technology improves, right? I understand the dollar has weakened over the last few years but this just seems like a ridiculous price increase. Looks like I won't be getting one, not because I can't but because I feel it isn't worth it.

How's everyone else feel about it?

Yeah they didn't give it a pricey 7-8fps mirror/shutter box so why the $800 more?
Sure AF is way better for once, but that is the only improvement and for 4 years well that should be why you pay the same price again, not $800 more. At least match the D800 price.

 

[LuckyRosco]

Re: Mark III Price turning you off? Considering a different model now?

I will buy the 5D mkIII no matter how much it costs, that's IF there isn't another camera body coming out at the end of the year (3D). I will only have a few months out of this year to actually travel and take pictures. So I would hate to buy a new camera and not be able to shoot with it for 6 months. For now I will buy the 24-70 L II and use it on my 5DmkII. Who knows what the prices and availablity will be at the end of December. It should be in stock everywhere and there might be a discount on the body by then. Or the 3D High MP monster might be announced by then. I will cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[SRHelicity]

The 5D3 is better in almost every single way when compared to the 5D2.

Are people even educating themselves on the information??

Lots of people whining about the Megapixel count. I'm guessing they didn't read into how they have used new pixel technology this time around which leads to better quality images and process of colors and light.

But people are lazy I suppose. They see an arbitrary number and immediately take a dump in their pants.

Of course it is! Is anyone arguing that the 5D3 isn't an upgrade from the 5D2? It better darn well be, considering it's a brand new model being compared to a camera that's several years ago, and it's now priced at a considerable premium to the 5D2 (like comparing the T2i to the 7D). Honestly, if we assume DSLRs are technology products like many other tech products (point-n-shoots, cell phones, televisions, computers, etc.), then, over the course of several years, we should EXPECT better technology for the same price (or expect significantly lower prices for the same technology). I'm not giving Canon a pass because they improved on a several-year-old camera. There aren't many consumer products that don't see relatively significant price reductions over the course of several years, or at least that don't see significant upgrades for similar prices.

We, as consumers, should demand more. I still maintain that the 5D3 should be <= $3k. I'm not a professional, nor do I make big $$, so $3500 is a significant chunk of change for me. If I had a 5D2, I couldn't see myself justifying spending $3500 (+ tax) for the 5D3. I currently have a 60D, and I've been looking to jump up to FF, but I'd rather get a budget FF (<$2k) with 3-4 fps, less sophisticated AF and AE, etc.; I may end up with a 5D2 assuming the price drops.

 

[Michael7]

The specs aren't enough of a "jump" IMHO to garner the $3500 price. I'll probably keep my 7D for wildlife/action and pick up a 5D II for landscape.

 

[Hillsilly]

I'm more annoyed at US$850 for the WFT-E7A wireless file transmitter. And am reading this right - you need the ST-E3-RT transmitter (US$470) to wirelessly trigger the new flash? Plus another US$390 for the GP-E2 GPS receiver if you want GPS data?

Seriously people, it's 2012. We're in the age of connectivity and the cloud. You'd expect all of the above to be built into a new, $3,500 camera.

 

[Michael7]

You expect a company that doesn't include lens hoods with lenses in 2012 to include that?

 

[Flake]

I'm more annoyed at US$850 for the WFT-E7A wireless file transmitter. And am reading this right - you need the ST-E3-RT transmitter (US$470) to wirelessly trigger the new flash? Plus another US$390 for the GP-E2 GPS receiver if you want GPS data?

Seriously people, it's 2012. We're in the age of connectivity and the cloud. You'd expect all of the above to be built into a new, $3,500 camera.

And the transmitter doesn't have AF assist!

 

[Rank_90]

And am reading this right - you need the ST-E3-RT transmitter (US$470) to wirelessly trigger the new flash?

The way I read it, the transmiter is built in to the Mark III. Very impressed with the Camera. Love it! Liver and lung are on ebay to cover cost. Happy Bidding!

 

[Global Express]

You guys in the USA should consider yourselves lucky!!! Here in the UK, the 5DmkIII is retailing for £2999.95 - that's $4780 USD!!!!!!!

I would happily pay $3,500 USD for the 5DmkIII. The US price tag translates into around 2,100 GBP, which is roughly the same as the 5DmkII when first released in the UK.

As usual, the prices over here are ridiculous. For 3,000, I'd rather get a refurbished 1Dmk4.

 

[nighstar]

i too am saddened by the high price of the camera (particularly the ridiculous premium Australia is made to pay), but do i think the price is completely unwarranted? well, i think it's too early to really tell.

this camera with its specs is my dream digital camera.... i just wish it were more affordable.

...

damn Australia and its high prices. i miss America!

 

[randplaty]

Who cares about megapixels. Seriously. 22 megapixels can make HUGE prints. I'm glad the price has increased so that people who care about megapixels (non pros) won't buy this camera.

You Sir, have no idea what you are spewing.

MPs a extremely important to the studio and landscape crowd. Landscape folks what better detail in big prints. Studio folks want to satisfy clients needs for higher MPs so clients can crop as much as they want and still have enough MPs for a variety of uses.

In your mind MF folks using huge MP digital backs arent pros?

MF folks will not buy this camera even if it had 40 mpix. MF is not all about Mpix.

It's fine to speculate on what other people want, but do you actually know professionals who want more megapixels? I know hundreds of professionals and the vast majority do not care about megapixels. Speculate on the landscape crowd or the studio crowd or whatever crowd. Canon knows who the professionals are and Canon is talking to them. I am a wedding photographer and everyone on our pro forum is singing praises literally. Canon FINALLY listened. Canon is actively engaging with professionals and they have seriously listened. They have designed this camera for professionals and not for the hobbyist bird shooter. Professionals will not blink at spending an extra $1000 to get pretty much the perfect camera.

 

[Flake]

A major mistake on the price. Is this camera so good it warrants a launch price double the high street price of the previous model, and 25% more expensive than the D800? Somehow I doubt it, the improvements seem very incremental over the MkII, and while that camera sold in massive numbers I'll stick my neck out and say that this one won't.

I'm going to hold off buying one, I'm convinced Canon are going to get a shock when customer demand isn't any where close to what they expect, and that the price will fall quite dramatically within 6 months of launch. I bought the 5D MkII soon after launch with a battery grip and spent £1900 I'd now have to spend close to twice that for a camera which isn't going to give me twice the image quality.

For me it's a big thumbs down I'll keep my cash until Canon get some sense, I remember the outcry of Nikon shooters over the D3x price, and a lot of them boycotted the camera, it didn't sell well at all, this is how I see the MkIII, it's just not enough of a step change to justify the price.

 

[Drama79]

Well, I'm getting one (Pre-order is in). Like I've said before, I use my 7D for 50/50 photo and video, and this will move everything along nicely. I'd been looking to jump to the 5D2 six months ago, and this actually makes the translation easier, as I think it will operate very similar to the 7, at first use. It IS expensive, but it is also a big jump forward, and will make the 5D2 seem very slow.

 

[CJRodgers]

Im just annoyed that somehow $3500 equals £3000. Had it had been at the correct exchange rate i would have had some confidence that by december i would have bought it (historically new cameras are usually 15% off ish in december).

They have done an excellent job at protecting the 5d mkii price at £1500. This also makes me doubnt how much the 5d mkii will be discounted from now (as rumored for the 4th march), as nothing else is that close to its price.

I cant justify double the cost for the 5d mkiii. Also ill wait for the reviews but an extra 25% above the d800 seems alot. Maybe ill take a trip to new york for xmas and it get then (keep the missus happy too)

Im sure its worth it, but i just cant afford it. Id rather have a lesser camera and an extra l lens. Gutted.

 

[noncho]

Re: Mark III Price turning you off? Considering a different model now?

I'm staying with 60D - too expensive new cameras for hobby and more expensive high quality EF lens...

 

[crunchy]

I'm still baffled by the people who are constantly prattling on about how the low-MP sensor means better DR and high ISO compared to the (less expensive) D800.

Have those people even seen the D800 sample images?

I so want the 5DIII to have amazing DR and high ISO (in raw, not some jpeg noise reduction hell) but I wouldn't call it just yet.

Bring on the reviews, comparisons etc.

And a RAW file or two wouldn't hurt.

 

[candyman]

In Europe the price of $3500 shall be converted 1:1 so it will be €3500
That is twice the price of the new price of the 5DMKII, which is €1750.
I find the new price of the 5DMK3 way too much.

They should open at €2500 that is still €750 (approx. $1000) above the new price of the 5D MKII !!!

 

[briansquibb]

How many times does it have to be said that the MSRP is not the street price and therefore shouldn't be compared with a heavily discounted street price

 

[Edwin Herdman]

Re: Mark III Price turning you off? Considering a different model now?

If I didn't feel I needed the higher resolution (and "lens reach" through the crop factor) of a 7D I would be very pleased with this. As it is, it doesn't seem like a good solution for a cheap bird photographer. If I had 800mm and 200mm f/2 lenses, I would consider it, though, because what it will do for wide angle and standard shots is not inconsiderable. I'd expect the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II and a 5D III to be a better (though not lighter) combination overall than my 7D and 135mm f/2L, for example, at the 200mm end. But the cost is high enough that I'd rather just stick with the 7D format for now.

 

[candyman]

How many times does it have to be said that the MSRP is not the street price and therefore shouldn't be compared with a heavily discounted street price

Brian, you are right.
Though the shops copy the MSRP. The 24-70 MK II is currently for sale at around €2500. Yes, they may drop the price in competition but that will be between €250 and max. €500. So it will still be very very expensive


Ah well, good that we have an economy crisis. May they are forced to drop the price more in order to meet the 2012 sales target. Don't know :-\