Lens Price Increases Taking Affect

[Isurus]

Looks like B&H and Adorama are applying the rumored Canon price increases.  Many lenses have gone up a decent amount.  I noticed that their Macro flashes have also increased.

[kubelik]

guess we'll have to see what it all looks like once spring rebates roll around... it'll probably just take certain lenses back to their pre-hike levels

[Isurus]

That is my guess as well.  It seem to usually work that way.  I was kind of surprised by the flash price hike.  Almost $800 for the MT-24EX macro flash seems a bit absurd, especially since it is quite outdated technology.  Nikon's far superior wireless macro flash system is significantly cheaper.

[Flake]

That is my guess as well.  It seem to usually work that way.  I was kind of surprised by the flash price hike.  Almost $800 for the MT-24EX macro flash seems a bit absurd, especially since it is quite outdated technology.  Nikon's far superior wireless macro flash system is significantly cheaper.

I wonder if you've used the Nikon system?  Firstly of course Nikon doesn't have a competitor to the MP-e 65mm so it's sole use is for Macro, and it seems an awful lot of money to spend when you can illuminate with a conventional flash.

The other issue it has is two flash heads which both need independant battery power this is provided by very expensive non rechargeable Li specialised units, it also means the heads are much larger and weigh!  This flash system absolutely cannot be used with extending lenses like the Sigma or Tamron as the focus motor will burn out.  They struggle with the relatively lightweight Canon system.

I tried (& failed) to find a guide number for these units, but Nikon don't seem to quote one, several sources say it can only be used for macro, so I assume that they aren't very powerful.

Be careful what you wish for!  At first sight Nikon might seem to have a better system, but when you dig a little deeper it's not all it appears to be.

I'm quite happy with the MT24-EX replacement to remain wired & high power, with conventional AA rechargeable, & the tech inside like the 580EX II (or III)

[unfocused]

Anyone notice that Canon bodies are dropping in price? Could just be a coincidence, but 7D is at an all-time low (just under $1,500). Looks like 60D and T2i have dropped as well, but not nearly as much.

[Isurus]

I own both the MP-E 65mm and the MT-24EX, but I have used the Nikon system.  I understand that Nikon has no equivalent to the MP-E, which is why I use Canon, but that has nothing to do with the flash systems. 

I actually don't always connect the MT-24EX flash heads right to the lens.  Instead, I often use RRS flash brackets, which I've also used with the Nikon flashes.  When used with these brackets, the choice of lens really doesn't matter.  While there are pros and cons to having wires, I find the lack of wires more convenient and would prefer that Canon ditch them in their revision.  Given today's technology, there is no reason they couldn't pack similar power into independent flash heads that could be fired without the wires and big commander.

That is my guess as well.  It seem to usually work that way.  I was kind of surprised by the flash price hike.  Almost $800 for the MT-24EX macro flash seems a bit absurd, especially since it is quite outdated technology.  Nikon's far superior wireless macro flash system is significantly cheaper.

I wonder if you've used the Nikon system?  Firstly of course Nikon doesn't have a competitor to the MP-e 65mm so it's sole use is for Macro, and it seems an awful lot of money to spend when you can illuminate with a conventional flash.

The other issue it has is two flash heads which both need independant battery power this is provided by very expensive non rechargeable Li specialised units, it also means the heads are much larger and weigh!  This flash system absolutely cannot be used with extending lenses like the Sigma or Tamron as the focus motor will burn out.  They struggle with the relatively lightweight Canon system.

I tried (& failed) to find a guide number for these units, but Nikon don't seem to quote one, several sources say it can only be used for macro, so I assume that they aren't very powerful.

Be careful what you wish for!  At first sight Nikon might seem to have a better system, but when you dig a little deeper it's not all it appears to be.

I'm quite happy with the MT24-EX replacement to remain wired & high power, with conventional AA rechargeable, & the tech inside like the 580EX II (or III)

[dilbert]

Anyone notice that Canon bodies are dropping in price? Could just be a coincidence, but 7D is at an all-time low (just under $1,500). Looks like 60D and T2i have dropped as well, but not nearly as much.

I'm willing to bet this has a lot to do with the pending release of the Nikon D800 and D400 that could be as soon as Feb. 9

[Flake]

I own both the MP-E 65mm and the MT-24EX, but I have used the Nikon system.  I understand that Nikon has no equivalent to the MP-E, which is why I use Canon, but that has nothing to do with the flash systems. 

I actually don't always connect the MT-24EX flash heads right to the lens.  Instead, I often use RRS flash brackets, which I've also used with the Nikon flashes.  When used with these brackets, the choice of lens really doesn't matter.  While there are pros and cons to having wires, I find the lack of wires more convenient and would prefer that Canon ditch them in their revision.  Given today's technology, there is no reason they couldn't pack similar power into independent flash heads that could be fired without the wires and big commander.

If that is what you want then there's nothing stopping you using a couple of normal flash heads and the ST-E2.  As you say there is no technical reason why each flash head can't be independently powered and still retain a decent power output, but there is a drawback, and that is size.  Currently all flash guns use 4x AA batteries to get enough volts for a quick recharge, to get the voltage there's a switch mode power supply and a coil, there's a capacitor to store the charge.  The Nikon system does this on a much smaller scale and the flash heads are as large & heavy as I'd like to go!

[Isurus]

Exactly; size becomes a major issue doing that with Canon's normal flashes.  I wished they'd at least offer small ones like Nikon.  Regardless, I'm not moving away from the MP-E and I can deal with the MT-24EX.  It does work very well after all, even if a bit inconvenient.

[rumorzmonger]

guess we'll have to see what it all looks like once spring rebates roll around... it'll probably just take certain lenses back to their pre-hike levels

Based on past history, when the next rebates are announced the big stores (B&H, Adorama) will just increase prices again, by the amount of the rebates, so there will be no net change. 

[StepBack]

Canon controls the prices of their goods. Last week everyone was selling the 300 f/4 IS for 1249 except NewEgg which took another 100 off. Now they are out of stock and everyone from Adorama to BHPhoto to Amazon are selling at exactly 1376. If you understand currency trading you'll know this is a white wash. I will take a cue from the experienced users here and wait them out. Spring to Winter I'll look for a sale with a sponsored coupon.

[Flake]

Canon controls the prices of their goods. Last week everyone was selling the 300 f/4 IS for 1249 except NewEgg which took another 100 off. Now they are out of stock and everyone from Adorama to BHPhoto to Amazon are selling at exactly 1376. If you understand currency trading you'll know this is a white wash. I will take a cue from the experienced users here and wait them out. Spring to Winter I'll look for a sale with a sponsored coupon.

I can't agree that any of the Camera companies control prices, if you want to see an example of price control take a look at Apple.  Take a look at Canons recommended retail prices and how far from those street prices are. In the UK we have a website called camera price buster which lists prices for gear from different suppliers, the big names are normally close to each other because they watch each others prices, but the independents are hugely varied, either over or under.

[AprilForever]

Got my 24-105 just ion time!!!

[dilbert]

In the modern age, we've seemingly become used to the price of almost everything associated with "tech" going down in price... although from time to time we've seen Canon announce price increases.

Quite by accident I found myself looking at a review of the 70-200L F/4 IS USM from 2007. Quoted price? $1060. Today's price? $1220 on Amazon. Is that just the latest announcement/change or is that a culmination of successive changes?

What other lenses have changed in price substantially without being re-issued?

[neuroanatomist]

Quite by accident I found myself looking at a review of the 70-200L F/4 IS USM from 2007. Quoted price? $1060. Today's price? $1220 on Amazon. Is that just the latest announcement/change or is that a culmination of successive changes?

What other lenses have changed in price substantially without being re-issued?

A culmination.  There was an increase in 2008 and again in 2009.  If you go HERE then click on a lens, you can scroll down to see a graph of the price history over the past few years, as well as past rebates.