Never posted here I hope my ? isn't too dumb

I've been doing some reading on ccd cameras and I'm amazed at the stratospheric money that can be paid for these cameras I saw on the FLI site a camera using the Kodak Kaf-16801e chip and the price was over $40,000, this makes cutting edge professional digital cameras for conventional photography costs seem cheap. So here are my questions. Is the price due in part to a lack of economies of scale (i.e the realitively few people who purchase)? Are individuals who purchase these ultra $$$$$$ cameras selling there pictures and can they actually have a lucrative business? I'm asking because astrophotography for many objects isn't dynamic (for example the Orion Nebula) its beautiful, but she doesn't ever change her pose unlike a supermodel such Cindy Crawford many pictures none the same. I just thought how many times could someone sell a picture of andromeda you have the choice of b&w or color, absolutely beautiful, but the composition doesn't change. Most of you are doing this because you enjoy it I'm just curious about the ultra high end if these individuals are doing this for business reasons (selling their photos) or simply because they can afford the best that money can buy.

Gary, think also about those Institutions that could use them for Research... they are probably the ones that use them the most...
(Of course, if I had Bill Gates money, well.... hmmmmm...)



Clear skies!


Ivan

I don't use them but if you can afford it and want to, why not? Not sure of any commercial aspects. I do it for my own interest and , it's fun. I've been a visual observer for over 38 years now and finally, finally, I can image detail on the moon and planets (Saturn and Jupiter so far)as well as I can see through the telescope. This is an amazing thing for me. Not sure where this will take me but I'm having fun so why not go with it?

Jim Phillips