[fletch]

Car companies often state that the presence of a top of the line sporty hot version of their standard cars increases sales of the standard model. This is beacuse people want the fast one but can't afford it so settle for the basic family version happy in the knowledge that a car very similar to theirs can do 100mph. Examples include the VW Golf GTI, Ford Focus RS etc. This allows the company to write of the cost of developing the car as a marketing expense.

I was wondering if the same was true for camera companies. Does the relase of the Nikon D3x increase sales of the D60 despite the fact nobody in there right mind is going to spend $8000 on a camera? Does the release of the new Sony FF camera increase sales of their entry from before when they had no 'pro' camera in their range? Coversly does the fact that Canon's flagship 1ds mk3 is a bit long in the tooth put off entry level buyers despite the fact they will never progress beyond entry level?

Lets have your thoughts.