So like everyone else, I want to upgrade to the Mark III at some point. I'll be selling my Mark II N during the process, and I'm trying to figure out about how much the value of the Mark II will go down if I wait a lot longer (say maybe January or so) to upgrade or if I'll get the most for the trade in by doing the trade now.

My Mark II N is in very good condition and only has about less than 50,000 shots on it (of course if I wait, by January it'll have way more than that). I figure (based on what others seem to be getting) that now I could get about $2,500 for my Mark II N and the upgrade would only cost me around $2,000. Do you guys think that in the next 6 months the value of the "N" will go down quite a bit or stay around there?

Also, do you think the actual selling price of the 1D III will go down and make it a wash?

We "could" afford the camera now, but we've been investing a LOT into our business the last few months and unless I think I'll take a real hit not doing the upgrade now we might wait.

What do ya'll think?

Personally, I can't see what the Mark III will do for you that you cannot already do with ANY camera in your posession. Even though the MIII is a total redesign from the ground up, I think you'd be wise to wait. Your work is stellar no matter what.

I understand the desire to get the latest toy - believe me, I want one really bad.
Even though the resale value of the MII will drop a little, so too will the retail value of the MIII, so in a way, it washes out.

my 2 cents.

Just take DJ's. He's used to it. Sorry to bring up a sore subject for a joke.

I'm with Johnny. Use what you have. If you can honestly say that you'll make enough money with the new camera over and above what you'd make with the old one to pay for the new one, then upgrade. If it won't make you any more money than the camera you have, there's no need.

Except, of course, for the "new toy" factor.

The demand is so high for this camera I doubt that it will drop that much.

With many selling their Mark IIs, I am sure the market will be somewhat saturated and bring the price down on the Mark II. Look on ebay and see what it is selling for and how many are on there...that should tell you something.

I tried to sign up for the email notification on B&H when they have them in stock and a pop up window said that due to "unprecedented demand" that the email notification is down. Wow.

But who knows...that is my guess.

True, but I doubt the demand will stay as high as it is right now in January or so.

dont know if this applies to you or not but is getting a new camera in the middle of the "busy season" a good thing to do? i dont know if there is a learning curve with moving from the II to the III....its just what i thought of

Chris, the prices on used 2Ns will drop for a little bit right now, but they will rebound. Look at what happened as soon as the 3 was announced. EVERYBODY was jumping on the selling bandwagon, and prices plummeted. I picked my Mark2 up for a song, and it's worth MORE now than it was when I bought it 3 months ago.

The prices on the used body will rebound, and stay firm in that 2600-2800 range, and if anything, there will be some kind of a price decrease or sale on the M3 later in the year, especially around Xmas.

You also need to consider the risk of getting one of the first bodies off the assembly line. Some people don't mind that, but I always think it's crucial to wait AT LEAST six months after a new body is released so they can work out the kinks. Patience, my man!