The rule of thumb which I have observed is depreciation of between 40% - 50 % over 24 months. The curve flattens after two cycles, as the item hits a bare bottom where its continuing absolute utility gives it some latent value that decreases at a much lower pace (ie: 1st generation digital backs like the Kodak Pro which are now in the $2-4K range).
This is really painful, but if you plan on it, at least you won't have a heart-attack when it happens.
It's probably safe to say that if your annual film costs (and recovery) do not equal the cost of owning the camera or back on this basis (after depreciation tax credits are factored in), you shouldn't own it except as a luxury item.
- N.
I second thoose thoughts Nick.
I have been a member of this site since its inception and thanks to Michael and others time to review and discuss these items, have followed the evolution of these MF systems over the last 10 years or so.
Let's be positive and all agree that medium format systems have come on a long way... a very long way. They have survived this long at premium prices and will continue to do so.
To put things in perspective it took about 4 years for a medium format back maker to think about putting an LCD on the back of their digital backs which could only shoot at iso50/100. Now we have 60MP resolution and some MF backs can shoot at iso1600 at 1FPS and be used in the field all day with only a change of batteries or so. Who would have thought that today in 2009 that the top end systems are becoiming integrated with camera systems and have all the shooting feature you can expect from a D-SLR (speed/usability) such that some are approching just a large D-SLR in design. So can the doom merchants take time to reflect on not just where we are, but where we have come from!
As for thoose who made big investments, which subsequently ended up massivley devalued, well thanks for funding this great industry that provides alternative products to mass produced 35mm based D-SLRs by being an early adopter. I personally do buy used products a fair bit (mostly lenses mind you), its all I can afford and I hope that people investing in new backs now are able to pay for them or justyfy the expense in term's of productivity return. On the flip side, there is nothing wrong with spending your hard earned cash on theese things either "just for fun" as long as one is aware that the higher you start the bigger the fall !
EJ
