~ Definitions
~
~ How we determined our
Blue Book Prices ~
Definitions
MSRP:
- (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price): This is the cost that the manufacturer
suggests the item is worth in the retail market. The Retailer may sell
the item for less. The MSRP price listed is from either the manufacturers
primary site, the manufacturers advertisement or other reliable source
(i.e. lens review)
STREET:
This is the average cost of the item on the street (i.e. in local
stores or on the Internet). The item is new, unopened, and in shelf
condition as you would expect if you bought it from a reliable store.
Price ranges vary depending on store, if the lens carries a Grey market
or U.S.A. warranty. At X Photo a Nikon 35-70mm f2.8 D lens sells for
$609.95 grey warrantied or $679.95 USA warrantied). Grey warrantied
may also be called IMP. Usually there is NO difference in the lens
be it Grey or U.S.A. Camera bodies can carry different model #'s (such
as a Grey Nikon F50 is the same as a U.S.A.0 Nikon N50.) Be aware
and ask questions if in doubt.
USED:
This is the current going rate for the item in excellent to mint condition
as sold by a retail store. Anything lower than excellent condition
should be priced accordingly. Retailers may sell for less if you haggle
on the cost.
Used Condition Scale:
LN- to LN+ : LN- "Like New
Minus" Perfect, but without box, instructions or accessories to "Like
New" Perfect. Includes original box and instructions and any manufacturer
provided accessories. (other scales: 10)
EX to EX+ : "Excellent" 80-89%
of the original condition. Shows moderate wear. May have small dings,
pecks and slight finish wear. Glass may have some dust, but no marks
to "Excellent Plus" 90-99% of the original condition. Exceptionally
nice. May have slight marks on finish. Glass very clean. (other scales:
9)
BGN to UG: "Ugly" Very rough looking. Multiple impressions in metal,
excessive finish loss and brassing are likely. Glass will have marks,
fungus or haze that will probably affect picture quality to "Bargain"
70-79% of original condition. Shows more than average wear. May have
dents, dings and a goodly amount of brassing and finish loss. Glass
may have marks that should not affect picture quality. (other scales:
8 or lower)
Auctions:
This is the going rate for an item up for auction on the various Internet
auction sites (such as eBay, Yahoo Auctions, and others). Items are in
non-certified condition and listed/sold by the seller. Due to non-certified
condition price fluxes are low to high price range is given to what the
item actually SOLD for (as compared to listed at). If there was no buyer
for the item the price is not recorded or entered, thus the price reflects
the price of the item that a buyer was willing to buy it for on the auction
market.
MTF:
Basicly, MTF is probally the best measurement by an electric instrument
to determine optical and image quality. The MTF process to determine quality
is very complex, but trustable. For example take a look at the lenses
below and their scores:
Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 EX AF lens received
a 3.5 MTF
Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 AF-S lens received a 3.7 MTF
By this example, even though the
Sigma lens MSRP is $399 USD while the Nikon lens almost 5 times more at
MSRP is $1,900 USD than the sigma lens, the Sigma is only .2 of a score
lower than the Nikon. This unbaised test shows us that even though the
difference is great is price, is it not that great in optical and image
quality between the two. Note though that MTF scores do not show construction,
personal "feel" of the lens or anything but impage and optical
quality.
As my own "Rule of Thumb"
I judge a lenses MTF score that I am looking by that of the MTF score
of its brand name 50mm prime lens.
Here is more technical information
on MTF:
Understanding
the MTF graph
Lens
Performance
Understanding the
MTF graphs, numbers and grades
Resolution, contrast,
MTF
We wish to warmly thank www.photodo.com for doing the articles.
~
Blue Book Tips ~
~ How to use this information
~
1. The BEST tip we can give you
right off is to use this information before you buy. By being knowledgeable
about the item, the going price and what other manufacturers have to offer
this information can save you anywhere from a few dozen dollars to thousands
of dollars. One of the best ways to become a "Prosumer" is to
come back regularly to the Photography Blue Book to gain the knowlege
you require to make a smart transaction in your favour.
2. Compaire not only the specifications
of the item but also its prices from MSRP, Street, Used and what is it
going for New/Used in the auctions. You can easily save yourself a lot
of hard earned money on this first step. The second step is to look at
the price range in the price catagory you are thinking about (i.e. Street:
450-600). If you call up AAA Photo and they have the item at $524.95 then
you know that is a fair price, but if you see it at XYZ Camera for $445.95
then you know you have a REALLY good deal and you most likely will not
find any lower.
3. Keep open to Third party manufacturers.
They can offer you what a "brand name" manufactuer can offer
you at a lower price (sometimes A LOT lower). Be aware though that sometimes
you get what you pay for! This is where you want to refer to The Photography
Blue Book often for the information you need! Third party manufactuers
have been working very hard over the years to close the quality gap and
in some cases have surpassed brand name manufacturers goods! But as always,
be knowlegable, be aware and be a "Prosumer".
4. The Photography Blue Book can
be a very useful tool as well in looking up information for school, home
or business use.
5. The Photography Blue Book is
a great Internet Auction companion to use as a reference when bidding
or selling an item to know what is a "good deal". With this
eBook at your site, it would be easy to start up your own eBusiness!
6. There are so many uses that
we have not yet imagined. If you find another good use for this information,
let us know and we will post it for all our readers! contact
us
Please Note: The information
presented in this eBook called "Photography Blue Book" is an
ongoing complation of photography items, prices and information. All efforts
have been made to make sure of its accuracy, but due to market changes,
typeographical errors and on going upgrades to this eBook we cannot always
guarantee nor assume no responcibility for 100% accuracy.
