Hmmpphhh huge price difference

I am really confused, I have been saving for 500mm IS for a few months now. The cheapest price I can find in the UK is about 3,700 pounds. However, if i look at well known US outlets such as Andorama, I find it for just over 2,900 pounds.

That price range is huge, is there something you don't get with lenses from the US or what....I really can't understand the price difference.

Yes you dont get ripped off! For what ever reason people in the UK pay much more for glass than us yanks do.

One thing you will not get is a UK warranty.

Wow, I never knew that :S...that is true about the warranty though.

Sounds like the VAT (value added tax) in the UK is making them a lot more expsensive.

It comes down to tax differences, and cost of doing business differences - rent, power, council tax busines srates , stuff like that. The UK is an expensive place to live.

If you buy the lens abroad and bring it in, the customs/ VAT people will charge you and the difference falls away.

You might want to PM Kerso for a quote on this lens.

If I remember right, there was a web petition going around to force canon to deal with the price difference and explain why gear is so much more in the UK. personally I blame the Queen.

Seriously, everything costs more in europe than anywhere else - Canon stuff is not unique.

the main cause of this is a rather curious social principle that has brought about things like State-provided health care, old age pensions, and a bunch of welfare provisions for people who don't or can't work for one reason or another. and of course massive beurocracies at regional and state and European level, all those politicians and civil servants need to be well paid for looking after us.

I personally don't have a problem with it. taxes in the UK , direct and indirect, are a fair bit lower than in many other European countries. And you do get a lot back from it.

Hey, its easier to BLAME the QUEEN!!

Take pity on the poor woman, she's saddled with a ghastly family, the incessant and all pervading attention of the tabloid press, and she's not exactly a spring chicken these days.

Curb the revolutionary zeal, we need her to attract all the Yanks over with their expensive glass to take pictures of British heritage while paying too much for crummy hotels.

I agree, and at least in the UK, if you get seriously ill for a long time, you don't have to worry about loosing your house to pay for it. Still, it certainly does hurt when it is that much more for stuff. Or rather, when you KNOW it is that much more for stuff.

OKOK, then I blame Prince Charlie's Huge EARS!

I thought Canon lenses came with a worldwide warranty?

Incidentally, roughly £3,700 less VAT would be £3,150 so that is price you should compare with the US tax free one. Still £250 more though.

Michael.

that's true - ignorance is bliss, they say. but things are changing, with internet competition , stores are having to give better deals now, and I wouldn't consider the basics of this hobby totally unaffordable. any hobby that requires specialised equipment carries certain cost implications.

but it is hard to swallow nearly a £2000 difference in the cost of a super telephoto

something to consider though, a pro would not have to pay the VAt if he was registered for VAT. that brings the cost of such professional tools down a fair bit. doesn't help those of us on PAYE though!

I agree... if only she'd start using L glass, the prices would come down for sure

they're not ears, it's a petal lens shade for his brain...