EX3 Price Never Gonna' Change?

[basspig]

I've been following the prices on the EX1 and EX3 since their inception.
The EX1 was dropped in price two times over the year following its intro. But as far as I can recall, the EX3 has always been $8,320.

I've pretty much decided to go with the EX3 for my third EX camera, because I want wider and other times longer lenses.
After seeing the XS8X4AS-XB8 8x for Sony PMW-EX3 I was sold on the idea of going with an interchangeable for the third cam.

But the price has never come down. Can anyone offer some sound reasoning as to why that is, particularly with the nearly stopped economy? I would think Sony would want to stimulate some sales this year, given the state of things, and maybe, hopefully, a price drop on the EX3 may be coming at some point, but if and when are the question. I've been holding off on purchase, waiting until the last hour, or when I book a 3+ camera gig in the fall. If they'd drop the price this month, I'd purchase immediately instead of waiting. So what's holding the price so steady on the EX3?

 

[mico]

From what I can remember Sony prices get locked, relatively, until a new model is imminent.

If you want that fujinon lens and an EX3 I would call places like Abel and see what they can do for you. Most of the time they will go lower than the lowest price from a legitimate dealer you can find, especially if you order a bunch of items.

 

[FrankC]

I agree. I rarely ever see Sony drop a price on a model. The EX1 price changes were truly unusual. What a bargain! I think they know the demand for the EX3 is high so no price change. Quite honestly, I'm surprised they haven't raised the price. Sony's usual MO is to not raise a price on a particular model... Rather they will discontinue that model and come out with an another similar model, adding some insignificant feature, with a new much higher price tag. They did that with the DSR-300 DVCAM camera. It was flying off the shelves at $7,000. Knowing they had a winner and rather than up the price on the DSR-300, Sony discontinued it and came out with the DSR-300a which only added a FireWire port (that nobody used) and upped the price to $8,500. So indeed, I'm surprised the EX1 has even been reduced. But then I may have answered by own question. Is not the EX3 the new improved EX1 with that higher price tag? About the only way I see an EX3 price coming down is if an EX4 or EX5 is introduced. And no rumor of that. So Mark, the question then is ... How long can you wait? and be without that 3rd camera.
Wish I had the bucks right now to pick up that bargain 2nd EX1 !!! Good luck my man.

 

[basspig]

I suppose it could be said that the EX3 would be that new model that pushed down the price on the EX1.

How long can I wait? Until the next concert season begins. Then I'll have to act fast to come up with a replacement for the V1U. I was pondering a third EX1, but after seeing that wide angle lens, I'm leaning toward the EX3.

I would not expect another legit dealer to beat B&H pricing by more than $50, and when you add shipping from the west coast, it becomes way more. B&H shipping is free and only takes a day from NY to my place, which is one reason why I buy from them.

The other thought was eBay, but I'm hearing a few EX3 woes, so I think I'll avoid the out of warranty cameras and pay for a real warranty.

I was just hoping that the price would drop, with all the depressed markets putting downward pressure on everything. Maybe that's unrealistic. As long as folks are still buying them. Oh well, no one heard any leaks on upcoming price changes, so I guess I'll just have to brace for the expense... and then another $3,700 for the wide angle 4mm 8X lens next year..

 

[Bassman2003]

Sony seems to be good at keeping the prices where they are even when people are not buying them.

Sony's place in the marketplace has traditionally been the brand you "pay up" for.

I agree, the Ex-1 was quite a departure from their MO.

I got mine for $5,600 using a sony $500 rebate!

I think the EX-1 has worked to get some folks away from Panasonic (me for instance). The full raster vs pixel shift comparision was too good of an opportunity for Sony to pass up.

 

[EC Junior]

Sony seems to be good at keeping the prices where they are even when people are not buying them.

Sony's place in the marketplace has traditionally been the brand you "pay up" for.

I agree, the Ex-1 was quite a departure from their MO.

I got mine for $5,600 using a sony $500 rebate!

I think the EX-1 has worked to get some folks away from Panasonic (me for instance). The full raster vs pixel shift comparision was too good of an opportunity for Sony to pass up.

For Sony's XDCAM EX, we're still selling very well, but at a bit slower rate. Our T.V. stations customers are all going XDCAM HD422 and EX.

Other Sony lines, we see a big drop in sales. In my opinion, even big companies are purchasing the EX over the 20K+ cameras because it gets the work done and they can buy 2-3 EX3s for that price. I see a lot of returning customer buying a second or third EX3.