Lens prices

Found this on FM, intersting.

I was in the market for the 35L, however after looking at the current status of lens prices - it may be best to wait for a while. I noticed that most lenses are up to 20% more expensive than they were just a year ago.

I got my 70-200 L 2.8 IS for $1649.99 at BH, the same lens is now $1,949.95.

I got my 24-7- L for $1199.00 and it is now $1,379.95 at BH.

The 35L is now $1399 and has been around $1199 in the recent past. Depressing.

I am sure that lower demand due to less people buying and production cuts (less stock available) have hit camera lenses from both sides of the supply and demand equation.

I hope things recover and prices return to "normal".

Welcome to the wonderful world of a weak dollar compared to the yen. Prices won't get better until the dollar gets better. Which means you have a long wait ahead of you.

The good news is that the new 70-200VR from Nikon is only $2300 or so....assuming you could ever find one

Even in a weak economy DSLRs and their assorted accessories is a growing industry. I'd chalk it up to demand and the weak dollar. As Bakes pointed out the Canon equivalents to Nikon glass are generally cheaper on the upper end which also encourages Canon to raise the baseline prices.

I paid $1400 for the 35L I owned in 05, I guess I never noticed it going down to 12. Maybe prices will drop at some point.

I was told about this the last time I went into the camera store "everything is $100-200 more expensive now, you did good buying when you did". If you used the Canon rebate last month you may be looking at more like $300-400 more on certain lenses now.

I said to my wife, "Honey I had better buy this 17-40L lens now before the rebate ends and prices go up - I can complete my kit now and the lenses may actually appreciate"

She said OK and I was RIGHT ! Only digger is that if I want to upgrade bodies I will probably have to look for gently used models, but that's OK.

(Message edited by coldlake on September 24, 2009)

After much delibaration, I bit the bullet and just bought the 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens, and paid (gulp...) $1030 for it from B&H. Bummer when I learned today that several paid $800 or less just a few months ago! Oh well... I find some solace knowing that prices will likely continue going up. Can't wait for it to arrive tomorrow.

Economy down? Demand down? Prices up? Seems a little mixed up to me. That's not how it is working in other categories of retail.

Rumor is Canon is raising prices another 10% on Oct 1st.