Yeah knotted it, is steep, but then I figure that they had to go through all the pics and try to get them in order, publish them on the site, and then there is the cost of having the folks out there taking them, and the equip. etc. And of course they are there to make some $$ too. It is a service to you, and you have the choice to buy or not to buy (or steal I suppose, but that is just WRONG! ).
Personally I usually always cough up the dough. In fact at IMAZ I spent a TON on pics! Because I preordered them and paid 100 clams for the package, and then went back and ordered the cd- also 50 clams... But hey, it was my first IM, so I figured it was worth it.
And the good thing about the cd is you can make as many pics as you want.
So I say yeah, if you can afford it- go for it. You only do your first race once, and to have it documented on film is priceless. IMO- of course....
Denise