I love this kind of discussion.


(IMO)


Some time ago people actually had to have money in there pocket to buy things, so things were priced based on materials, labor, R&D and some profit to keep the company running. They had to be reasonable so people would justify buying them. Because a bank would not let you take out a mortgage on a lens or camera. But then the 80s came along with the credit card explosion. Then suddenly marketing departments had a new task at hand...figure out how far the "sheep" would go into debt for our crap.


Credit cards have kind of ruined everything. People don't really care what they pay as long as they don't have to pay for it now. Does anyone really believe a lens is really worth $7000 dollars? I mean even on the "LOWER" side, a 24mm for $1700?


Don't like the prices blame Visa, MC and AM EX.