Canon RF 70-200/2.8 (2.35 lb) $2,799
Sony GM 70-200/2.8 (2.30 lb) $2,798
Nikon Z 70-200/2.8 (2.99 lb) $2,697
garyvot wrote:
I can be sympathetic to this from those based outside of the US (where local taxes, exchange rates, or VAT may impact pricing), but from where I sit in the States, I honestly don't see the supposed "outrageous" markup that Canon is charging for RF lenses (compared to its direct competitors).
On B&H for example, here are the current prices for the f/2.8 standard zooms:
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM $2,399
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II $2,298
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S $2,396
The RF is the only one of these lenses that has IS, by the way, which directly adds to its value.
Sure, these prices are all hundreds of dollars more expensive than the same DSLR lenses, but this cost delta is not unique to Canon. All manufacturers are raising prices to maintain profitability in a shrinking market.
A quick check of other high-end lenses reveals that the top full frame brands seem to be within $100 of each other on most items....Show more →
garyvot wrote:
All manufacturers are raising prices to maintain profitability in a shrinking market.
This is key. At some point the prices themselves contribute to shrink the market further. It looks like a death spiral to me. And then Canon further makes the platform less attractive by shutting out third-party lens makers.
garyvot wrote:
Sure, these prices are all hundreds of dollars more expensive than the same DSLR lenses, but this cost delta is not unique to Canon.
Oh well, I just paid 1739€ for RF 70-200mm f/2.8 and Canon is returning 250€ from that. As a bonus I got some empty space in the camera cabinet after swapping away some dust collectors. For this price I really couldn't resist. My first RF lens.
To me, Canon's RF L lens prices are all just different shades of outrageous.
garyvot wrote:
I can be sympathetic to this from those based outside of the US (where local taxes, exchange rates, or VAT may impact pricing), but from where I sit in the States, I honestly don't see the supposed "outrageous" markup that Canon is charging for RF lenses (compared to its direct competitors).
On B&H for example, here are the current prices for the f/2.8 standard zooms:
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM $2,399
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II $2,298
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S $2,396
The RF is the only one of these lenses that has IS, by the way, which directly adds to its value.
Sure, these prices are all hundreds of dollars more expensive than the same DSLR lenses, but this cost delta is not unique to Canon. All manufacturers are raising prices to maintain profitability in a shrinking market.
A quick check of other high-end lenses reveals that the top full frame brands seem to be within $100 of each other on most items. ...Show more →
Another consideration is inflation. Has Canon priced RF lenses in-line with inflation compared to previous EF versions?
The EF 70-200/2.8II was released in 2010 at $2500 and at the time there was outrage about that price. The EF24-70/2.8II was released in 2012 at $2200. Based on online inflation calculators, $2500 in 2010 is equivalent to $3400 today ($2800 equivalent when the RF version was released in 2019). And $2200 in 2012 is about $2800 today ($2450 equivalent when the RF version was released in 2019). So is Canon over-charging? Perhaps not based on inflation, but until the last couple years, I'd argue wages were mostly stagnant and not generally keeping pace even with the very low inflation prior to the pandemic, so it would certainly be a situation for many to feel like their earnings aren't keeping up with inflation/price increases.
The Finland price for the 70-200 - did you mis-type? Checking that lens at a German camera shop and it's 2849 Euro with VAT (about 2400 Euro pre-VAT).
I am happy for these meaningful discounts and bought the RF 15-35.
I wonder how much this has to do with the USD being super strong relative to the Yen (multi year highs )? If true, I am happy that canon is passing this on to users, and looks like supply has improved a little bit as well.
Good point. The US dollar is really strong at the moment compared to the Euro and Yen, etc. Good time to be traveling to Europe, Asia and elsewhere. But I don't know about airfares though.
Canon and was having to increase prices because of rising costs and inflation ... and lowering prices because of the strong US dollar and possibly also because of the weak market.
rx55 wrote:
I am happy for these meaningful discounts and bought the RF 15-35.
I wonder how much this has to do with the USD being super strong relative to the Yen (multi year highs )? If true, I am happy that canon is passing this on to users, and looks like supply has improved a little bit as well.
Rakuten, the popular cash back site, is offering 10% cash back on virtually all Canon products today (10/8). You'll need to sign up and click through the Rakuten Canon link to access this cash back.
rx55 wrote:
I am happy for these meaningful discounts and bought the RF 15-35.
I wonder how much this has to do with the USD being super strong relative to the Yen (multi year highs )? If true, I am happy that canon is passing this on to users, and looks like supply has improved a little bit as well.
Then there should be across-the-board price reductions in the US market. I think Canon USA is cherry-picking certain lenses (slow sellers?) and taking advantage of the exchange rate difference. It could be that Canon Japan is sitting on a lot of inventory of these lenses and is looking to Canon USA to help them move it. I just checked the Japan price for a couple things I'm interested in and the discrepancy isn't huge. Maybe 10-15% less than the US market, when converted to USD, but roughly on-par with pricing here in Canada.
A similar discussion is on-going over on the Leica board where the current low Euro has some price shopping considerable savings from EU dealers. For example, if I were to buy new, or replace the six Leica M lenses I bought over the years, I would currently pay $9,000 more in the US vs. the EU (pre-VAT).
ramage wrote:
Some new deals being offered on RF glass in Canada
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens - 3799.99 (Big $50 off)
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens - $2699.00 ($300 off)
Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM Lens - $1699.99 (another big $50 off)
Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM Lens - $2699.99 ($300 off)
Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens - $1999.99 ($400 off)
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens - $859.99 ($20 off)
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens - $219.99 ($50 off)
Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM DS - $3799.00 ($200 off)
Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM Lens - $3399.00 ($100 off)
Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Super Telephoto Lens - $899.99 ($200 off)
Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Super Telephoto Lens - $1199.99 - ($200 off)
Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM Lens - $568.99 ($80 off)
Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM Macro Lens - $679.99 ($170 off)
Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM - $1399.99 ($450 off)
Wow, 10% is very significant! I usually get like 10¢ or 20¢ cash back from Rakuten. 😂
rancherpix wrote:
Rakuten, the popular cash back site, is offering 10% cash back on virtually all Canon products today (10/8). You'll need to sign up and click through the Rakuten Canon link to access this cash back.
Dietrich wrote:
The instant savings are live at B&H. Let's see what Canon does in other countries ...
Something from the UK. The £600 rebate is mirrored across a number of retailers. I was told that the likely cause was that R3's were not moving as fast as Canon would like.
rscheffler wrote:
Then there should be across-the-board price reductions in the US market. I think Canon USA is cherry-picking certain lenses (slow sellers?) and taking advantage of the exchange rate difference. It could be that Canon Japan is sitting on a lot of inventory of these lenses and is looking to Canon USA to help them move it. I just checked the Japan price for a couple things I'm interested in and the discrepancy isn't huge. Maybe 10-15% less than the US market, when converted to USD, but roughly on-par with pricing here in Canada.
A similar discussion is on-going over on the Leica board where the current low Euro has some price shopping considerable savings from EU dealers. For example, if I were to buy new, or replace the six Leica M lenses I bought over the years, I would currently pay $9,000 more in the US vs. the EU (pre-VAT).
Apparently this is effective until November 3rd. I noticed while browsing Camera Canada there are also a handful of EF lenses with minor discounts....Show more →
Agreed. They maybe (micro)managing inventory/supply and also trying to goose sales for less-than-hot items.
Tom_W wrote:
My 100 mm RF macro arrived today. As expected, everything in the house is now a macro subject!
I have a lot of toying around to do with it.
Cool, I've been testing mine for the past three days. Did well for infinity landscapes—no lens correction needed—and also quasi-macro distances. I'll have to try the 1:1+ next. That nano USM sure is fast and can track flowers waving in tradewinds, unlike the RF 85 2.0 Marco IS STM.
So these are still going on (seems they extended them till the end of the month). I caved and picked up the RF 50mm f/1.2L. $200 off is a nice savings, and I had rented this lens a while back and it just blew me away with its quality. Now in my bag (though I have to find things to sell to pay for it now).
With the Loyalty discount, I picked up a refurb 85 f1.2 for a bit over $2k, which is a nice saving over new. The 10% with Rakutan was nice for the 70-200 too.
For some reason Canon told me only one discount per year with lens but I read somewhere that it is 3 per year.
Just noticed on B&H that a bunch more Canon gear has been marked down (end of January 2023). One thing that caught my eye was $400 off the R3, which I think is the first time it has been discounted.
For this price I really couldn't resist. My first RF lens.