Canon Prices Going Up February 1st 2011

According to this FM thread: http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/97162​8

Quoted from the source cited there: "...most items are going up by anywhere from 3-10%. Some items go up significantly - for instance, the 50mm f/1.4. MSRP goes from $580 to $640."

Read the whole thread. The source "seems" legitimate/reputable. If the new 70-200 IS II goes up 10%, it's right back at its release price of $2500.

3 weeks and counting...

Just another reason I'll stick with Tamron. I'd like L glass but it is out of hand, and people wanting 80% of retail for used glass which carries no warranty when a repair will run at least $300... no thanks. That's OK, I don't make money from this, it is a hobby and I can't fully utilize what I have. I guess this is actually a good thing, more money for other hobbies like my firearms collection. Maybe if Canon offered more than a pathetic one year warranty on a $1,500 lens and allowed it to be transferred.

Consider USD is really weak against JPY, it's a matter of time all "Made In Japan" lens prices to go up, Canon or not.

Tamron is doing Made In China lens now, so pick your poison.

More confirmation is on CanonPriceWatch.com, this is posted on their main page:

January 10th, 2011: CanonPriceWatch.com can confirm that Canon is increasing pricing as of February 1st, 2011.

Excerpt from a dealer e-mail:

"Canon has always strived to provide our partners with the best products at the best prices, but due to the current economic conditions around the world our cost of business is being severely impacted.

As a result of the economic struggles and fluctuating exchange rates, Canon USA is forced to take action on the pricing of most EF Lenses and Speedlites, effective February 1, 2011. The changes we are making on Invoice and MSRP pricing is effecting all partners across the board and will assist Canon in continuing to grow our brand and imaging business for not only ourselves, but for you the dealer as well."

HyperYagami wrote in post #11615444
Consider USD is really weak against JPY, it's a matter of time all "Made In Japan" lens prices to go up, Canon or not.

Tamron is doing Made In China lens now, so pick your poison.

My poison is picked, in terms of Bang for the Buck Tamron is damn near impossible to beat. I don't claim they are L quality, but what they are capable of is astounding for the price and they have a warranty six times longer than Canon's.

HyperYagami wrote in post #11615444
Consider USD is really weak against JPY, it's a matter of time all "Made In Japan" lens prices to go up, Canon or not.

Tamron is doing Made In China lens now, so pick your poison.

Doesn't matter where it is made as Japanese companies sell their products in Yen. JPY-to-USD sucks. Lately they are getting under 85 Yen per USD. Just 8-9 months ago, that was 95. In 2007, it was 125. So even if Canon can make, say the 70-200 F4 for the same price it could in 2007, they would make 47% less if sold at the same price in USD. If they wanted to make the same profit they did in 2007 (when the lens was $500) they would have to charge $735 - assuming costs are the same. Even compared to last summer, exchange rate has sucked more than 10% out of profits.

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tkbslc wrote in post #11615540
Doesn't matter where it is made as Japanese companies sell their products in Yen.

It does matter in a sense. MIC makes it cheaper so they don't need to raise the price in JPY as well. We already have the case where Tamron's 70-300mm VC Nikon version (older) is MIJ and Canon version (newer) is MIC.

Now imagine later on they raise the JPY price too...talk about double ouch.

The US is actually trying to tank its currency to increase exports. It's cheaper for Japan to buy US products than ever before. Bad for Camera buyers, good for Microsoft, Caterpillar and GM.

$640 for the 50mm f/1.4? LOL

mazdaspeed wrote in post #11615659
$640 for the 50mm f/1.4? LOL

thats msrp, no one pays msrp ever

what im wondering is, 2k a pop form some lenses, even more for some used by pros in the sports area.. a 5k 200 f2 etc.. canon cant be hurtin'

2k per 5dII, not to mention how many rebels are being sold across the world, i dont really think canon is hurting for dollars..... but truth of the matter, it wont slow down consumers one bit.. inflation inschmation

Fureinku wrote in post #11615782
canon cant be hurtin'

how not? they charge a lot for lens, sell boatload of cameras, so what? they're in danger of dropping profit margin due to weak dollars, not good news to shareholders. that's hurtin'.

i noticed the Canon 10-22 went up from $720 to $770 @B&H.

If the 50mm f/1.4 is gonna bump up to $640 i'd rather go Zeiss.

slasher723 wrote in post #11615925
If the 50mm f/1.4 is gonna bump up to $640 i'd rather go Zeiss.

im not positive why this keeps coming up.. 580 msrp to 640 msrp

this lens is sold all day long for under 350... its not going to cost 640, post like that are going to cause irrational discussion

Sounds like it might be time to buy Direct from Japan and cut out the US retailers.

isoMorphic wrote in post #11616492
Sounds like it might be time to buy Direct from Japan and cut out the US retailers.

If you're comfortable w/ no US warranty, by all means, go right ahead.


As far as the cost of the 50 f/1.4, it's like Fureinku says, it's not going to cost $640. Current MSRP may be $580, but you can buy a new one w/ a US warranty from plenty of places for $359 or less.

Will the price go up if Canon raises their prices. Most likely. Will it go up by the $60 change in MSRP? Probably not. Will a new one cost $640? Not a chance.