What is going on with lens pricing??

[Nicholas Bouchard]

Over the past half a year I've noticed a drastic spike in lens pricing, but only for certain lenses. I'll provide some examples I've noticed (prices are in Canadian currency)

-canon rf 100-500mm - $3850 up from $3700.

-canon rf 24-105 f4L - $1750 up from $1450

-canon ef 16-35 f4 - $1700 up from $1400

I'm sure there's more, but these were lenses I noticed spiked in price, but the price increase isn't universal and has affected both old and new lenses. I don't see a pattern here.

Any ideas here? I believe this started happening before the Ukraine conflict started but don't quote me on that. Any chance these are temporary or do you think these price increases are here to stay for the near future?

 

[AngelFish]

As a guess a combination of; shortage of parts (chips etc), increase in cost of shipping containers from Asia since covid & increase in energy costs due Ukraine.

 

[SpinOne]

Over the past half a year I've noticed a drastic spike in lens pricing, but only for certain lenses. I'll provide some examples I've noticed (prices are in Canadian currency)...

Uhhhh... Did you somehow not notice a global pandemic that caused wide-spread shortages, shipping delays, and increases in prices for a variety of products...?

That said, picking out a few items isn't exactly a comprehensive review. It's not that difficult to find, say, 3 lenses where the prices stayed the same or dropped over time.

Further, people vastly overweigh negative stimulus than positive. I.e. you will be shocked! by lens price increases (even when it's only a 5% increase) while ignoring lenses that drop in price by 10%. That's why you'd really have to do a more systemic and thorough review before concluding that on the whole, lens prices have changed in a specific direction, and/or a different direction than in the past.

 

[bodeswell]

Over the past half a year I've noticed a drastic spike in lens pricing, but only for certain lenses. I'll provide some examples I've noticed (prices are in Canadian currency)

-canon rf 100-500mm - $3850 up from $3700.

-canon rf 24-105 f4L - $1750 up from $1450

-canon ef 16-35 f4 - $1700 up from $1400

I'm sure there's more, but these were lenses I noticed spiked in price, but the price increase isn't universal and has affected both old and new lenses. I don't see a pattern here.

Any ideas here? I believe this started happening before the Ukraine conflict started but don't quote me on that. Any chance these are temporary or do you think these price increases are here to stay for the near future?

I don’t know what the future may bring but I do know that Canon was pricing it’s new RF lenses above their EF predecessors well before the pandemic. They also jacked up the prices of EF L lenses to make them less attractive compared to the new RF lenses. I think it has more to do with a smaller global market for ILC cameras than anything else since the rising price trend predated the recent troubles. Fortunately I have acquired all the lenses I will ever want. This time I mean it! But to make sure I scrutinize each new release…

 

[jackwelch]

This is why I bought into a canon G3X at $450. Best deal at this time with 3 years warranty.

 

[WiltshireMoonraker59]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

 

[Shadowsurfer]

There are more prospective buyers than lenses available. Thus we have a sellers market and the companies price as high as the market will be prepared to pay.

 

[CameraCarl]

Have you checked the price of eggs recently, or milk, or hamburger, or gasoline, or houses, or, golly, almost everything? Why single out lenses, and only Canon lenses?

 

[Mackiesback]

Have you checked the price of eggs recently, or milk, or hamburger, or gasoline, or houses, or, golly, almost everything? Why single out lenses, and only Canon lenses?

Exactly. And I don't see adding $150 to a $3700 lens as terribly drastic either. What is that? 4%?

 

[Hayden N]

Over the past half a year I've noticed a drastic spike in lens pricing, but only for certain lenses. I'll provide some examples I've noticed (prices are in Canadian currency)

-canon rf 100-500mm - $3850 up from $3700.

-canon rf 24-105 f4L - $1750 up from $1450

-canon ef 16-35 f4 - $1700 up from $1400

I'm sure there's more, but these were lenses I noticed spiked in price, but the price increase isn't universal and has affected both old and new lenses. I don't see a pattern here.

Any ideas here? I believe this started happening before the Ukraine conflict started but don't quote me on that. Any chance these are temporary or do you think these price increases are here to stay for the near future?

Yes it's the same here in New Zealand. Especially the RF lenses which are priced insanely. $3000 for a f4 wide angle zoom is crazy. Even older Ef glass has gone up in price. I don't blame the pandemic or Ukraine war as most Nikkor z are significantly cheaper.. Even Fujifilm medium format GF lenses are cheaper than many RF lenses.

 

[HRC2016]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

A lot of corporations are making record profits thanks to consumers willing to pay higher prices, and no shortage of corporate excuses.

Gear and all other items are priced as high as the consumer will pay. That's business 101.

If you ran a business and had customers willing to pay $4,000 for a lens would you charge them only $3,000?

So the fact that people give in to GAS and buy new shiny items pushes up prices. It rewards manufacturers for incremental upgrades in technology.

And if people will gladly wait to pay $8,000 for a m43 lens then that tells the manufacturer to raise the price higher.

Yes, there are many things that are affecting the cost to produce goods, but they are also a cover to raise prices. Corporations know this. Consumers have more power, collectively, than they realize.

Do you think gas would be $5/gallon in CA if everyone there drove electric cars?

The four Mores of business: sell MORE products to MORE people MORE often for MORE money.

--
Satan loves the shadows - and the highlights.

 

[john Clinch]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

A lot of corporations are making record profits thanks to consumers willing to pay higher prices, and no shortage of corporate excuses.

Gear and all other items are priced as high as the consumer will pay. That's business 101.

If you ran a business and had customers willing to pay $4,000 for a lens would you charge them only $3,000?

So the fact that people give in to GAS and buy new shiny items pushes up prices. It rewards manufacturers for incremental upgrades in technology.

And if people will gladly wait to pay $8,000 for a m43 lens then that tells the manufacturer to raise the price higher.

Yes, there are many things that are affecting the cost to produce goods, but they are also a cover to raise prices. Corporations know this. Consumers have more power, collectively, than they realize.

Do you think gas would be $5/gallon in CA if everyone there drove electric cars?

The four Mores of business: sell MORE products to MORE people MORE often for MORE money.

 

[D Cox]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

That was true in the days of Ancient Egypt. After all, anyone who runs a business hopes to make a good living from it. Otherwise, why bother ?

Don

 

[onlyfreeman]

Because obviously as photographers we NEED lenses, those other things are kinda useless, can't take any photos with an egg...or can you? Hmmm.

 

[Paul Pasco]

I work in a field totally unrelated to photography but involves custom made goods. All of my vendors have raised prices numerous times over the last 1-1/2 years. One raised prices 10% last year and another 10% a few months ago. Another raised prices 5% last year and 10% beginning in May. All of this is due to raw material increases while labor has remained static.

 

[biza43]

A thing called inflation.

 

[Mackiesback]

A thing called inflation.

And gouging.

Normally my product would cost me around 11 or 12 cents per unit shipping from Hong Kong to the states. I got a quote yesterday for 90 cents per unit. I cant imagine what could have happened that would increase my shipping costs 9 fold. Other than greed of course.

Also, for those in the US still doing business with China, we are still paying tariffs. in 2022, after 2 years of pandemic and soaring inflation, still paying tariffs. Amazing

 

[LDJS Photography]

Not only new but used prices are getting higher than new GM prices like e-infin etc.

That said I reckon it's a buyer's market so discounts to be had even in stores if you ask I feel (no evidence but I recon so based on selling experience)

 

[HRC2016]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

A lot of corporations are making record profits thanks to consumers willing to pay higher prices, and no shortage of corporate excuses.

Gear and all other items are priced as high as the consumer will pay. That's business 101.

If you ran a business and had customers willing to pay $4,000 for a lens would you charge them only $3,000?

So the fact that people give in to GAS and buy new shiny items pushes up prices. It rewards manufacturers for incremental upgrades in technology.

And if people will gladly wait to pay $8,000 for a m43 lens then that tells the manufacturer to raise the price higher.

Yes, there are many things that are affecting the cost to produce goods, but they are also a cover to raise prices. Corporations know this. Consumers have more power, collectively, than they realize.

Do you think gas would be $5/gallon in CA if everyone there drove electric cars?

The four Mores of business: sell MORE products to MORE people MORE often for MORE money.

So go on them which camera companies are making big profits. Which according to the two posts above they all must be?

--

John, I was not talking specifically about the profits of camera manufacturers. I don't have that information. I was talking about all industries and business models.

It's very naive to think camera manufacturers are not as greedy as most every other industry on the planet.

 

[john Clinch]

The prices are probably here to stay, it seems companies use any excuse to bump up their prices, first they blame Covid, then fuel prices, then energy prices and now the Ukraine war. I have not bought new for a long time now, even though second hand has gone up too, it's still more affordable than new but if people keep paying these high prices, then the prices will continue to increase. The greed in the marketplace is incessant.

A lot of corporations are making record profits thanks to consumers willing to pay higher prices, and no shortage of corporate excuses.

Gear and all other items are priced as high as the consumer will pay. That's business 101.

If you ran a business and had customers willing to pay $4,000 for a lens would you charge them only $3,000?

So the fact that people give in to GAS and buy new shiny items pushes up prices. It rewards manufacturers for incremental upgrades in technology.

And if people will gladly wait to pay $8,000 for a m43 lens then that tells the manufacturer to raise the price higher.

Yes, there are many things that are affecting the cost to produce goods, but they are also a cover to raise prices. Corporations know this. Consumers have more power, collectively, than they realize.

Do you think gas would be $5/gallon in CA if everyone there drove electric cars?

The four Mores of business: sell MORE products to MORE people MORE often for MORE money.

So go on them which camera companies are making big profits. Which according to the two posts above they all must be?

John, I was not talking specifically about the profits of camera manufacturers. I don't have that information. I was talking about all industries and business models.

Yes Apple fall into this camp. Their phones sell for day more than they cost to make do they make billions

It's very naive to think camera manufacturers are not as greedy as most every other industry on the planet.

Camera makers might want to be greedy. But my current understanding is that they currently don’t have that opportunity