At what cost??????

[IzzieK]

I do use cheaper alternatives where I can, as long as the quality is good. For instance, my 3 flashes are Yongnuo 560 III's which are excellent, and so much cheaper than the Nikon branded units.

But the question still remains as to how manufacturers can justify such a high price tag.

My flashes are also YNs like yours and I have mine for quite sometime and hasn't failed me yet. Good choice.

[Max von MeiselMaus]

Just a note that I wouldn't trust the CRI ratings for LED. The LEDS might cover the full wavelength range, but they do it unevenly, scrimping severely on the reds and yellows. If I were concerned about colour accuracy, I wouldn't use LED.

I am not convinced the Ice Light is worth what they ask for it, but then I would be quite happy waving around an LED torch with a cardboard tube attached, because I don't do this for a living and don't have to impress anyone with my professionalism. If I were bringing the thing to do a paid wedding shoot, that would be different (I would still go with the half price ones on Amazon, though, for I am cheap).

[Black Pearl]

Just a note that I wouldn't trust the CRI ratings for LED. The LEDS might cover the full wavelength range, but they do it unevenly, scrimping severely on the reds and yellows. If I were concerned about colour accuracy, I wouldn't use LED.

http://www.yujiintl.com/high-cri-led-lighting

[xpatUSA]

. . . . .
Yes the Ice Light costs more but it offers more.
Is it good value for money - the photographers using it day-to-day as part of their professional kit to help them earn a living would almost certainly say yes.

Which makes me wonder about a wider issue - should rank amateurs even buy such stuff?

Then there's Ted's Square Law of price versus quality, e.g. twice the quality - four times the price.

Along with Ted's Cube Law of price versus gimmicks . . .

[Black Pearl]

When it comes to spending money on a hobby then there are no absolutes - at least with a business purchase the outlay should justify the gains and give you a basis for the value but when its for yourself then the cost is only relevant to the individual. I might blow £500 on a bit of kit and think nothing of it, someone else might do the same on something costing £5000 while the next person might think we're both mad and think £50 is a lot of money.

Some of the wires knitting the back of my Hi-Fi together cost over £100. Do they sound one hundred times better than the standard cables - absolutely not but I think the difference in cost was worth the outlay. My Breitling cost ten times as much as my Tissot - they both have a genuine Swiss automatic movement, both look great when worn with a smart shirt and to be honest neither is the best time keeper I own but I believe both were good value for money. If I needed a wrist watch to keep accurate time for my job then a £10 Casio would be better so it would be impossible to justify a business outlay for £4k. They aren't for work they are just for me and so cost is simply whatever I personally am willing to pay.

[loosecanon]

It is suggested one takes up matters with Manufacturers.
I do. Experiences include:

PR dept from Canon arranging that a printer out of guarantee be serviced foc at my house.

Corel Software where I complained about price in Europe vs USA and was supplied disk version at Education rate.

Currently awaiting callback from Adobe !