Digital BW, The Print

sanfo2003 writes:

> The prices on these digital backs are just
> completely out of line.

It is extraodinarily expensive to produce large CCD and CMOS chips.  That's
one of the drawbacks of digital cameras right now.  The cost increases
exponentially (almost) with the size of the chip, because it is very
difficult to prevent defects on large chips, and the reject rate is high.

> For example, the Canon 1Ds 11 megapix camera
> with a 35mm sized sensor costs an outrageous
> $7500 (street price) but that includes a top-of-
> the-line professional quality camera body.

You can buy a complete MF outfit and scanner for that price, and take
pictures with nearly ten times as many pixels as the Canon provides.

> The Leaf 11 megapixal back ALONE with a 35mm sized
> sensor is $12000.

Make that a complete Hasselblad MF outfit and a Imacon scanner.  Maybe even
an extra lens or two.

> This is irrational.

Although costs are high, as I've described, there may still be some gouging,
as many photographers at this point in time may be sufficiently hypnotized
and sufficiently na\ufffdve about digital to pay anything for a digital camera or
back.

> I can't even imagine what they'll attempt
> to charge for this new back. This back should
> sell for around $5000, we'll see what
> they charge.

Except in cases where time is the overriding concern, I don't understand
what the attraction of digital backs is in the first place.