Does Canon's $500 rebate on the 200mm f/2.0 indicate a policy trend as far as future pricing is concerned? Does Canon offer rebates on lenses that are about to be discounted? I'm very interested in buying this lens but don't want to fork out the big bucks only to discover a month or so later that the price has dropped significantly.

I doubt it'll go down in price.

I think they are just giving a rebate to boost sales. In Sweden the prices for 200/2 have gone up insane! I noticed this earlier this year and bought the last one available in Sweden to the old "low" price.

I am quite sure that this lens will not be "dropped" or that the price will go down significantly. I think the rebate is just to entice buyers in a tough market. I also do NOT understand the pricing of this particular Canon lens when Nikon prices theirs lower! May be that is forcing them to lower their asking...

-- V

Vivek wrote:
I also do NOT understand the pricing of this particular Canon lens when Nikon prices theirs lower! May be that is forcing them to lower their asking...
-- V

Actually, Canon lowered the price on this lens since introduction as it was almost $6000. Nikon in fact has raised the price since introduction.

The current US prices from B&H are:
Nikon $5100
Canon $5300 (before rebate)

I paid $5300 (typical discount) and have used it lo these many months. I never think of the price just rush to mount it because of the sensational pictures it takes.

There was a rebate on it last fall, too. Then it went away.

Vivek wrote:
I also do NOT understand the pricing of this particular Canon lens when Nikon prices theirs lower! May be that is forcing them to lower their asking...

-- V

Canon's 200 is newer, half a kilogram lighter and has more stops of stabilization.

In the same way Nikon's 300, 400, 500, 600 are more expensive because they are newer than the Canon equivalent.


If you're curious about the price history http://www.nextag.com/Canon-EF-200MM-F-588067533/price-history-html

I would get this lens if it cost close to $3K, it is too high for 200mm also seem not as useful focal to me. For now I could servive with 135L for same type of shots.

John--G wrote:
Actually, Canon lowered the price on this lens since introduction as it was almost $6000. Nikon in fact has raised the price since introduction.
The current US prices from B&H are:
Nikon $5100
Canon $5300 (before rebate)


Paolo Dolina wrote:
Canon's 200 is newer, half a kilogram lighter and has more stops of stabilization.

In the same way Nikon's 300, 400, 500, 600 are more expensive because they are newer than the Canon equivalent.

If you're curious about the price history http://www.nextag.com/Canon-EF-200MM-F-588067533/price-history-html

I stand corrected folks; my datapoints were old. Also, Paolo thanks for the link.

-- Vivek

Vivek wrote:
John--G wrote:
Actually, Canon lowered the price on this lens since introduction as it was almost $6000. Nikon in fact has raised the price since introduction.
The current US prices from B&H are:
Nikon $5100
Canon $5300 (before rebate)


Paolo Dolina wrote:
Canon's 200 is newer, half a kilogram lighter and has more stops of stabilization.

In the same way Nikon's 300, 400, 500, 600 are more expensive because they are newer than the Canon equivalent.

If you're curious about the price history http://www.nextag.com/Canon-EF-200MM-F-588067533/price-history-html

I stand corrected folks; my datapoints were old. Also, Paolo thanks for the link.

-- Vivek

No worries. Most always compare gear based on f-stop, focal length and the presence of IS or VR.

But those aren't the only qualities you should look out for. You must also consider marketing/release date, MTF chart, how many stops of IS or VR, CFD, physical dimension and especially the weight.

Lenses are no more different than buying a 2007 Honda Civic to a 2004 Toyota Corolla. Both are 1.6L engined cars and yet they vary in specs.

I feel this lens has enough wiggle room to go as low as $4,200 in the near future. But then again what do I know?

Vivek wrote:
I am quite sure that this lens will not be "dropped" or that the price will go down significantly. I think the rebate is just to entice buyers in a tough market. I also do NOT understand the pricing of this particular Canon lens when Nikon prices theirs lower! May be that is forcing them to lower their asking...

-- V

Ha ha that's probably right but seems ridiculous. The markets tanking, camera gear has seen massive price increases, and they offer a rebate on a stupendously expensive lens only a few people buy, rather than cutting prices on more affordable gear tens-of-thousands would buy.

Rebate because: lens is too expensive and likely
not selling well. I'm glad I got a 300/2.8 and 500/4
before prices skyrocketed.

maljo