On the professional level, I've never understood why anyone was worried about a price reduction, or a change in pricing strategy after they bought a piece of equipment.
Heck I know how to pinpoint exactly when Apple will come out with a new powerbook . . . 3 weeks after I buy the current model.
The thing is even with Apple, that doesn't make what I bought less useful.
Same with cameras.
I'm not a camera dealer or collector, I use them for work so what I buy I use, I keep with the plan of using it until it is worn out. 5,10 more megapixels, 1/5th more sensor size really doesn't change my mind.
Actually when the Phase IQ backs came out I was kind of jealous that finally a medium format back had an lcd you could see an image on, but then Phase (and I believe Hasselblad) have wi-fi to the I-pad.
This is better than any camera LCD I've ever used and since we tether most medium format projects anyway, having an Ipad by your side is a heck of a lot more exacting than always peering down to a 3" lcd, so I continued on with my two backs and never worried about it.
But even without the Ipad it doesn't make the cameras any less valuable to me than the day I purchased them, because they still work.
Maybe it's me, because I still use Contax and that company is gone, though with 4 bodies I've never worried about repairs and had few repairs anyway.
I also use a p21+ next to a p30+ and have never had a client or anyone for that matter think one looked more detailed than the other. Actually given my choice I usually use the p21+ because it shoots faster and more responsive.
These were shot with two "old" cameras. The swimmer a p21+ and Contax, the woman a Leica M-8. Doesn't change a thing that their are new versions of these back and cameras, at least to me or the clients that did and continue to run these images.
Now if I was an amateur I'd never worry about this stuff, because you not shooting for anyone but yourself. I don't understand pixel staring, but if seeing an eyelash on someone three blocks away turns you on, it's your money, have fun.
Then again if I was an amateur and not working with deadlines, tethering, client reviews, I don't think I'd own as many digital cameras, except maybe for polaroids and somethings that digital works best for and I'd have a whole collection of film cameras, because there is a ton of really interesting film cameras from 35mm, 645, 6x7, 6x9, 4x5 etc. etc., that will change the look of your work and most film cameras are dirt cheap.
But if you dig digital, pro or amateur cool, use it, enjoy it and don't look back, because there is nothing your going to buy in the digital world that won't drop in price eventually.
And if I was contemplating a Hasselblad I'd look at this as good news, even if I owned one already because it's a better deal for a backup.
IMO
BC