Canon Price Drop Soon?

I'm ready to purchase either the 100-400mm zoom or 400mm f/5.6 prime. With both Photokina coming up in September and New York's Photo Expo in November I wonder if I should wait. Not to purchase any new replacements for these lenses but I'm thinking any new product introductions would enable Canon to reduce prices on the existing line.

What do you think? Should I wait? If I do, would the cost drop be worth the wait?

I need to know because my wife just gave me the thumbs up on this purchase and I feel like buying now before she comes to her senses!

Thanks all.

Wait!

I am.

Ole Joe

I don't think they will drop the price on these lens, however I think Canon's rebates start in November.

I sure wish some canon rebates would come back lol... I have a few more things to get and the rebates that just ended would help tremendously.

I'll never wait. If I need something to give me the kinds of photos I want to take now, waiting means I'm not getting them. I won't put a price on that...

Bodies come and go, lenses are pretty much a constant. You'll always experience price drops on bodies, the most you could maybe hope for on those zooms would maybe be a rebate of some sort. Buy before she changes her mind!

Novemer. Gosh that is just in time for Santa. I'm gonna make a list.

If you need the lens now, buy it now. I'm with Steve on this.

Don't wait if you are going to miss out on photos. The good thing is that the resale value on lens is very high, especially the Canon lens.

I never buy anything based on the fact that I might get a rebate. If it works out that way (it never has), great.

I always very seldom advocate waiting for something that may or may not materialize. What you do plan to save on a 100-400 if they do reduce their pricing, maybe a couple of hundred dollars. Given the popularity of this lens I can't see them replacing or updating this lens just yet or lowering the price.

If you are serious about the other uncertainty in your situation, the wife, I would make the purchase now.

It is always possible that Canon could bring something new out this fall that falls into the focal length that you are after but they might not also. The only thing that is certain in this whole thing is the uncertainty of it all. Either lens will serve you well, good choices.

I don't wait on rebates, but I will wait for Photokina to see what the new releases will be. When the winter rains set in here in the Pacific NW, I'll be moving into the studio and I'm looking at getting a 1DsMk (whatever). If the new release is a significant upgrade over the 1DsMkII, I'll probably get that. If it's not a significant improvement, I'll probably pick up a 1DsMkII. I have time to wait, but like Steve said, if you "need" something now, it's not worth waiting if you could be shooting instead.

Mark

Keep in mind, your rebate is going to be no bigger than 50 dollars(depending on the lens) unless you buy multiple Canon products which would still cost more money up front.

Thanks everyone for your great replies! Based on these comments I'm going to purchase the lens now.
The only dilemma - which one, the prime or zoom?

even at list prices, these lenses are good value.......just think how much fun you can have in the 3 months til nov, certainly more than a wee rebates worth.

for what its worth, there is a uk rebate on the 100-400 amounting to roughly 200 dollars right now......Even so, I still bought the 300 f4 and tc!

Got to love those rebates. Aren't there still folks waiting to receive their rebates from the last round? Yep I love receiving money back also, but I don't like waiting half a year and multiple mailings of the same items. If there happens to be a rebate when I buy, then all is fine; but I would not wait months for a rebate, unless I am expecting to receive a HUGE amount of money back. Enough to make up for the time lost while waiting.

buy used, always saves more money