I'll be the devil's advocate: Lights don't depreciate beyond the "driving off the lot" dip. My DVX100 was eclipsed by the 100A a month after I got it... and now the 100B and the HVX. My Arri 1K softbank kit is as state of the art as it was 5 years ago when I bought it.
The DVX has paid for itself about one and a half times so far (in 3 years). My Arri lights have paid for themselves about 5 times in 5 years, My Dedolights have paid for themselves twice in 6 months and my Litepanels have paid for themselves 3 times in 6 months. And they will be in service well into the next 10 years. I'm sure the DVX will not.
I suppose it comes down to what you would like to do with the camera. When I go out, I need a full production package. Where will you get lights and gripology for the shoots you do with the camera? Who are your clients and what do they need? I've been toying with getting Kino's for years now.... but haven't. And now I might need them for a travelling shoot this January. So... I'll buy them if I do. But I never like to buy things with hope that I might be able to make money with it. I'll buy them if I know that I have a customer needing it. I'm currently sitting on a down-payment for a CineAlta F900. I won't buy until I have a solid group of clients needing it.
Anyway, like I said, it depends what you need. If you can go out on shoots and get rentals for it without needing lights.... go for it. If you are getting it for the sake of getting it with the hope that you'll get rentals.... maybe you should wait. Figure out what you really want to do in your business and then get the tools you need. Besides, think about the nice little smile you'll get doing 2006 taxes.
