I have decided on purchasing an Olympus C2000 and have been watching the price drop over the last couple of weeks. Do you expect the price to continue to drop slowly or might I expect a larger price drop ( 10% or more) due to the announcement of the 2500 and the coming Christmas season?

-- gary brendemuehl (gbrendemuehl@mge.com), September 08, 1999

Answers

Since digital cameras are always getting better and cheaper, you'll get the best camera if you buy the day before you die. OK not very helpful. :) You can't time this stuff. It's hopeless. Give in. You know you want one. :)

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), September 08, 1999.

Always,the time to buy is in the month immediately following your well thought out and well timed purchase. If you're a person of modest means such as myself, it's helpful to have a wealthy friend who can make these costly mistakes for you. Then, you buy in the months immediately following their purchases. I'm fortunate to have such friend who has saved me hundreds of dollars over the last several months and years. However, you must do your part. Keep them informed of the latest technology and where to get the best prices. Fortunately, they don't read this forum. Another thing I've found helpful is buying as close to the bottom of the line as possible. Let the high rollers (whales in the gaming world) pay for the development costs. They buy the Nikon LS-2000, you buy the LS30 or better yet, the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual for $360. Unlike the normal world where obolescence has a gentler pace, the world of computers has monthly replacement cycles. It pays to think of your purchase as one of several over time for the same type of item. Rather than buying the latest and most expensive, budget this money over several years. For example, rather than buying the Nikon LS-2000 for $1600, I bought the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual For $360 knowing I would be able to afford yet another better and cheaper scanner in the future. Just remenber every well thought out purchase is exactly at the wrong time and at the wrong price. This never fails.

-- Bill Eadie (wae@slip.net), September 11, 1999.