John, the P30 back is cheaper because the P30 sensor chip is quite a bit smaller than the P25 chip (the smaller the chip, the more they get on a wafer, and the lower the cost of the chip). The cost of the sensor chip is a big part of the cost of the back. Obviously there are other factors that go into determining the cost of the back, but the size of the sensor chip is one of the biggest factors.
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I have a 1Ds2 (and a 1Ds before) so Canon has already taken care of "sensor size : price 101" course I was just surprised in this case that a 22 MP P25 is around $20k vs a 31 MP P30 is $16k. The P25 comes with a very, very hefty premium... I believe the local rep here quoted:
P20: $ 7,990 - $1000 discount for a Mamiya
P21: $11,990 - $1000 ...
P25: $19,999 - $1000 ...
I need to double check the P25 price again because I had a mental shut-down as soon as he said the price...!... In contrast the P30 begins to look like a relative bargain. I don't need ultra wide, so the crop factor would be workable, though, a reduced viewfinder does spoil some of the fun.
Maybe PMA will bring some news about a Canon 1Ds3; having that information will help alot in my decision process. My choices are -
- Keep the 1Ds2 and buy the AFD II kit w/ a P20 for $8990
- Sell the 1Ds2 & lenses and go for a P25 or P30
- Upgrade to a 1Ds3 assuming the upgrade is substantial enough to justify the investment
The P25 or P30 back would be used, purchased from a local dealer. He doesn't what the price would be yet because the "+" models aren't shipping yet, thus they don't have any of the P25 or P30 exchanges yet. He also Phase One may take the exchanges back and update them. So all of that is a big unknown too.