I might have considered an X-E5 as a backup to my X-T5 if it were priced more reasonably. But I can't see the value in it at current prices. I might look to add a Sony A7cii or Nikon ZF instead.
GF 110/2 original price: 2799.00 Price today: 3049.00
GF 250/4 original price: 3299.95. Price today: 3549.00
It's a great time to be hoarding some GFX gear right now
This points up that there are going to be lots of unexpected consequences to the addition of import taxes that will transfer funds from American buyers to the federal government. Not only will new products become more expensive, but those price increases will also cause the demand for used gear to rise with the obvious effect on prices.
Essentially, when you buy that XT50 or XT5 today you are paying $200 in added taxes to the federal government. when you buy those GFX lenses you are paying a new federal import tax of $250. I understand that the new prices on some of the most expensive GFX bodies will now add $800 to cover the federal import tax.
Same with every other imported product and even American produced products that use imported components.
Take a moment to consider all of the things you own and have and will buy... and how many of them come from overseas and/or include imported parts. How much do you spend annually on such products – cars, electronics, food products, camera gear, tools, furniture, and, well, just about everything? Add similar amounts for all of those expenses.
Never been a better time like now to be a minimalist. https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/minimalist-tips/ This does not mean having the least amout of stuff, From the article: "...At its core, minimalism is about getting rid of the things that don’t contribute value to your life...". A net search for "minimalism" will yield much more on this topic.
gaopa wrote:
The cost of buying our Fuji gear went up today. I'm fortunate that I don't need to buy anything now.
Are my fellow form members reluctant to buy Fuji gear now?
I have been looking at adding Fuji to my current Sony FF/APS-C and Olympus/OM M4/3 gear since late last year. Been shooting with Olympus M4/3 since 2012 and added Sony FF in 2017 and the A6700 in 2024. The upcoming price increased helped me decide to forge ahead and over the last 2 weeks I have bought my Fuji kit.
Eventually I want to get down to one kit and have the decided Fuji APS-C is just fine for my use now (I’m retired) The Fuji system, specifically the XT5, mainly because of the 3 way tilt screen (notice I listed this first) 40MP sensor, dual card slots and a joystick, provide me with essential feature that I want on my camera body. With the added benefit of a smaller body and WR compact primes I now have something my Sony or OM system can’t match in full.
For lenses I chose the Silver WR version of the 16 f2.8, 23, 35 and 50 f2 Fuji primes. Plus I added the 35mm f1.4R and converted my Sony mount version of the Sigma 56 f1.4 DC DN to Fuji X. So I have my 2 portrait fast primes as well. Down the road I will pick up a tele zoom, looking at the 50-140 f2.8.
Overall I saved $300 on the Silver XT5, got it for $1599, and $325 on the lenses. Like getting the 35mm f1.4 R for free.
524f44 wrote:
Never been a better time like now to be a minimalist. https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/minimalist-tips/ This does not mean having the least amout of stuff, From the article: "...At its core, minimalism is about getting rid of the things that don’t contribute value to your life...". A net search for "minimalism" will yield much more on this topic.
When in the history of the world, have people in power lowered the cost of living for “regular folk?” Or, even given a tinker’s “darn” about them that wasn’t just a ruse to stay in power.
Hint: “That would be never.”
We are now in a phase where we may very well be testing where and when the straw will break the camel’s (spell that global economy) back.
Thus has it ever been. Good digital gear will just become more and more a niche category for fewer and fewer people who can afford it.
Undoubtedly yes. People will want to recoup as much as they can on the new prices. And these new prices are here to stay unless these 15% tariffs disappear, on top of the other 25% from before.
gaopa wrote:
Are my fellow form members reluctant to buy Fuji gear now?
Yup. That $200 (two tanks of gas) increase on an almost $3K lens that I can use for a decade or more is going to be the amount that finally breaks the bank and stops me from buying.
For the last 4-5 years even pre-tariff I have seem housing prices double, new/used car prices skyrocket, and inflation jump on food and almost everything else. A new truck costs what a condo used to cost. It's clear to me where this is going to end up tariffs or not. The previous guy in office destroyed affordability for the middle class. The new guy isn't helping yet, but after that other guy I am willing to let him try his way for a few years and see what happens.
cbass wrote:
Yup. That $200 (two tanks of gas) increase on an almost $3K lens that I can use for a decade or more is going to be the amount that finally breaks the bank and stops me from buying.
For the last 4-5 years even pre-tariff I have seem housing prices double, new/used car prices skyrocket, and inflation jump on food and almost everything else. A new truck costs what a condo used to cost. It's clear to me where this is going to end up tariffs or not. The previous guy in office destroyed affordability for the middle class. The new guy isn't helping yet, but after that other guy I am willing to let him try his way for a few years and see what happens.
I think an examination of the true facts will show that everything you say is drastically incorrect. Like the 'new guy,' you just make up facts and are regurgitating what you see on Fox News. Real economists will tell you that everything you spend money on will become more expensive in the coming months. A new lens will be the least of your problems.
Tariffs are not the only reason why prices are going up in US. Also the value of usd has fallen significantly in value compared to most other major currencies.
As someone living in Europe I am watching the changes in US in disbelief My prediction is that only a small portion of your self-inflicted inflation can be seen now. The consequences of the whole process will be visible in the longer term. I also do not believe that US prices would be reduced to the old level even if the tariffs were removed now.
tuomkok wrote:
Tariffs are not the only reason why prices are going up in US. Also the value of usd has fallen significantly in value compared to most other major currencies.
As someone living in Europe I am watching the changes in US in disbelief My prediction is that only a small portion of your self-inflicted inflation can be seen now. The consequences of the whole process will be visible in the longer term. I also do not believe that US prices would be reduced to the old level even if the tariffs were removed now.
We spent six weeks in Europe in April-June and had opportunities to speak to quite a few Europeans (and travelers from other parts of the world.) Almost uniformly the reaction was along the lines of yours — disbelief that what they regarded as a great country had done this damage to itself, incredulity that a nation that they thought was an ally was now attacking them, and a clear recognition of the self-harm that the US “policies” are producing.
(At the same time, for those who wonder, virtually everyone we met did not think this reflected on us as individuals, and we had no difficult or uncomfortable run-ins based on this.)
International trust in our great nation has been deeply undermined by this administration.
tuomkok wrote:
Tariffs are not the only reason why prices are going up in US. Also the value of usd has fallen significantly in value compared to most other major currencies.
As someone living in Europe I am watching the changes in US in disbelief My prediction is that only a small portion of your self-inflicted inflation can be seen now. The consequences of the whole process will be visible in the longer term. I also do not believe that US prices would be reduced to the old level even if the tariffs were removed now.
We spent six weeks in Europe in April-June and had opportunities to speak to quite a few Europeans (and travelers from other parts of the world.) Almost uniformly the reaction was along the lines of yours — disbelief that what they regarded as a great country had done this damage to itself, incredulity that a nation that they thought was an ally was now attacking them, and a clear recognition of the self-harm that the US “policies” are producing.
(At the same time, for those who wonder, virtually everyone we met did not think this reflected on us as individuals, and we had no difficult or uncomfortable run-ins based on this.)
Speaking as an American, international trust in our great nation has been deeply undermined by this administration.
My prediction is that only a small portion of your self-inflicted inflation can be seen now. The consequences of the whole process will be visible in the longer term. I also do not believe that US prices would be reduced to the old level even if the tariffs were removed now.