The 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III Get Cheaper

[amarelux]

Here is quote from Goro Yoshida, one of the founders of Canon.

When asked about his motives in disassembling a Leica to produce Japanese made high-grade 35mm cameras, Yoshida explained in later years:
"I just disassembled the camera without any specific plan, but simply to take a look at each part. I found there were no special items like diamonds inside the camera. The parts were made from brass, aluminum, iron and rubber. I was surprised that when these inexpensive materials were put together into a camera, it demanded an exorbitant price. This made me angry".

The current CEO of Canon should also get very angry, but this time the wrath should not be directed at Leica but at themselves.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/history/canon_story/1933_1936/1933_1936.html

[Matt the editor]

Any idea if that Canon $400 off that is set to expire on October 27th will be extended?

[Woody]

As expected, the price of 5D3 is now equal to D800... it may fall even further in time to come... Canon has already recovered some of their manufacturing costs from the early adopters. 

[verysimplejason]

As expected, the price of 5D3 is now equal to D800... it may fall even further in time to come... Canon has already recovered some of their manufacturing costs from the early adopters. 

If that is so, I'm thanking these adopters for paying for the R&D and manufacturing costs. 

[K-amps]

All I can do is chuckle and hope they don't do this with 1DX anytime soon.

Let us chuckle too bro...

Here is quote from Goro Yoshida, one of the founders of Canon.

" I was surprised that when these inexpensive materials were put together into a camera, it demanded an exorbitant price. This made me angry".

Yeah we were pretty angry too when your followers released the 5diii at exhorbitant prices too...

[smithy]

I just calculated the price of buying a 5D III from B&H, shipping it to New Zealand and then paying duty/taxes on it.  It comes in at NZ$800 (US$650) cheaper than buying locally, also putting it NZ$300 cheaper than a Nikon D800 in NZ.  Nice.

I already have the 5D III, so it was just an exercise in currency and shipping, and I have no regrets in buying my camera when I did.  My daughter was born 3 weeks ago, not today...

[Woody]

Here is quote from Goro Yoshida, one of the founders of Canon.

When asked about his motives in disassembling a Leica to produce Japanese made high-grade 35mm cameras, Yoshida explained in later years:
"I just disassembled the camera without any specific plan, but simply to take a look at each part. I found there were no special items like diamonds inside the camera. The parts were made from brass, aluminum, iron and rubber. I was surprised that when these inexpensive materials were put together into a camera, it demanded an exorbitant price. This made me angry".

The current CEO of Canon should also get very angry, but this time the wrath should not be directed at Leica but at themselves.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/history/canon_story/1933_1936/1933_1936.html

This is funny, very funny. 

Leica products are assembled by hand and QC is supposedly very high. Canon products are machine assembled and QC is....

[NormanBates]

Well, this had to happen, only so many people will buy a 5D3 when the D800 is a lot cheaper and with better IQ. What's surprising to me is that it took so long.

But it's more than welcome: at this price the 5D3 is starting to be an interesting product, and now we have competition in the market.

[shunsai]

I'll add my 2 cents:

I'm glad the price is dropping, but it sucks for me and sucks for Canon. I bought a 5D2 for 160,000 yen (let's just call it $1800) a couple months ago.

It's a great camera I'm sure, but it hasn't blown me away. Admittedly, I haven't fully adjusted to full-frame yet and really broken this camera in. While I got a good deal on the camera, had the 5D3 been priced then what it is now, Canon would've made almost twice as much money off me. Too late now. Their loss. My loss.

I don't really care who wants to defend it- $3500 was a ridiculous asking price.

[jupeterson]

I hope we will see these price drops in Sweden. Currently the 5DIII is $590 more expensive then the D800.
In this international market I think Canon is forced to lower the prices globally.

[Northstar]

Hah, last May I predicted $3,000 by Christmas for the 5d3 at an authorized retailer.

Those waiting for a price drop, this is it...the price won't go much lower for another year.

2013 Christmas - $2799.

[tron]

So, buying cameras as an investment... how is that working out for all of those that bought the 5D3 already?

Well that depends.

 I bought a 5D3 (but paid in Europe 2700 instead of the usual 3000-3500). It wasn't exactly an investment. I bought it to have a second body (OK my 5D2 became my second body...). Prices in Europe do not drop so fast  so waiting a lot does not have so many advantages.

Now, If someone is a pro who has used 5D3 a lot these months then it was worth the money.

[RC]

How can I sign up the price drop notifications?  I want a 5dm3 and my budget is below $3000.

Go here to sign up for price notifications:
http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/03868/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-price.html
(link is at the end of the description block)

Both Amazon and B&H have the 5D3 listed below $3000 right now.

[Dylan777]

So, buying cameras as an investment... how is that working out for all of those that bought the 5D3 already?

-1......NEVER. Buy it as  a tool, not investment.

[bp]

So, buying cameras as an investment... how is that working out for all of those that bought the 5D3 already?

-1......NEVER. Buy it as  a tool, not investment.

You obviously don't read a lot of posts on here... people regularly buy cameras and lenses as an investment.

So much dumb finger wagging going on in this thread.  Lenses do hold their value shockingly well, as long as you don't drop em, but anyone who looks at a camera body as an investment doesn't understand the used market.  The body is close to disposable it'll depreciate so fast.  And frankly anyone who bought at release and is angry now... that's the price you pay.  I bought at release fully knowing it'd drop within the first year.  I'm betting we all did.  heh  (if not... uh, welcome to earth)

It is a tool.  My tool paid for itself LONG ago, and I wouldn't change a thing.  I'm pretty happy they've come down because I've been itching to pick up another 5D3. I can hardly stand my 5D2's AF system anymore.