@all: You're welcome and thanks for the kind words. I've visited this forum for a while now to keep track of new releases from L0R and what better place to find than the various warez forums.
@PWRNGR
Now I remember you! You are this guy:
http://imgur.com/OT0YSl0
I really like your setup.
@djmax
No problem. Please keep in mind that there are so many different options so my experiences won't be nothing more than just a personal experience, not a business-wide average.
In my case, I look for things like BDSM/fetish-styled shoots mostly. I ordered some videos from different studios/models before and obviously - the more special your request is - the more money you will have to pay for it.
I can't (and would never) reveal the model names whose shoots I purchased (one was a picture set because the model was not available for videos and on three other occasions it was video) and that's actually part of the contract you are signing (by accepting the legal mumbojumbo from the studios, just like all the long dialogue boxes when installing new software people never read anyway) and it's clear to see why. In one case I got a hardcore boy/girl video from a well-known model officially only doing softcore (not even hardcore solo work) and it would cause some shitstorm or similar if the info got out that she's doing hardcore as well. Some studios even personalize the video (digital watermarks and the like) so they could easily spot who put it online to sue the hell out of his ass. So in order not to put themselves in legal troubles, the customers should not share those infos or even the videos and pictures. It's just a business decision; you all know those stories about pornstars being escorts as well but denying it, etc.
I can give you not-so-rough-at-all-numbers because I was the one who actually paid for them.
Yes, some amateur with decent equipment could create some of those as well - but it's the model you are really paying the money for. Joe Schmoe from the street doesn't have access to those talents.
The picture set was a BDSM-style shooting including solo hardcore (Hitachi and fucking machine, you'll know those things from K1nk) with a model who was officially not doing such work at that time (now she's an already retired pornstarlet with less than 20 scenes/movies released according to iafd).
The production value was kinda low, no real BDSM studio, but more like a hotel room or similar living room in someones house, she was wearing random clothing (sexy lingerie though) but at least the pics were great. Good lighting and it featured everything I wanted to see.
Total price: 750 US-$
I have to say: it was worth the money at that point. Later she did regular hardcore boy/girl porn but who knew back then?
The most expensive video I've bought to this day was 3500 US-$ for around 30 minutes of video. High professional production value, a well-known model officially not doing such kind of videos and even some special requests by myself (clothes and action). Delivered in 1080p (which was relatively new at that time, 4k was not a thing back then), it blew my mind and keeps entertaining me to this day. Speaking like a true nerd: it's prrrreciousssssssss and I consider it the holy grail of my personal porn collection.
It may look expensive, but keep in mind you have to pay the studio, the model, the crew (makeup, etc.) and even get some personal requests done.
It's like you are the producer or director of your own porn scene. Get one of the high-profile pornstar escorts for some hours and you are in that money-territory already. But I can keep my video so it's not that expensive in comparison.