Why is the 24-70 MK1 price so high.

[bkorcel]

I agree with you.  My 24-70 I picked up used.  Found the IQ to be outstanding.  Any issues I had were resolved with Micro Focus Adjustment.  I too had the 70-200 f4 for a time and it did suck batteries...almost as if it drained them when it was sitting in the case.  I now have a 70-200 2.8L II and can shoot all month without a recharge.  Probably improvements with power consumption in the IS system is the only thing I can think of.

Honestly never needed IS on the 24-70 so that's a waste of money in my opinion.  IS is great for telephoto lenses though that have to be hand held.

Surprising how high that lens has always been. Had two copies at two different times. Overrated. Great contrast and delicious colors, but sharpness not near level of say, 70-200/4 IS

True, but which is more important. I've had both lenses and just last month sold the EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM because it was too slow, uses up your batteries really fast and the pictures look cold. On the other hand, my 24-70 f/2.8L mark 1 is a late-2011 manufacturer copy, is 9/10 for sharpness, but 10/10 for colour and 10/10 for AF speed. People say to me "wow those colours are amazing" - never got that with the other L lens.

[bkorcel]

B&H has it new in stock for 1600.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&sku=264304&is=USA&sub=cpw&A=details&Q=

[dilbert]

B&H has it new in stock for 1600.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&sku=264304&is=USA&sub=cpw&A=details&Q=

Well you either pay $1600 for Mk I or wait for Mk II and pay $2300.

B&H aren't dumb and are out to make money just like everyone else.

[iaind]

Incredibly, I did manage to find a mainstream UK retailer selling this lens for $2,000+ on eBay (see link for Photo Direct below):

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2-8L-USM-LENS-24-70-mm-UK-/110896909200?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item19d1f88b90

Since I bought mine at the start of this year, prices have risen by 60%, even the Canon Price Watch chart for the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM looks to be a bit out-dated (most of the retailers surveyed are 'Out of Stock' and Adorama are quoting $1,699 for US Warranty item):

Grey import?

[Razor2012]

With the MK I prices being high, it makes it that much easier to buy the MK II. 

[Kernuak]

Incredibly, I did manage to find a mainstream UK retailer selling this lens for $2,000+ on eBay (see link for Photo Direct below):

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2-8L-USM-LENS-24-70-mm-UK-/110896909200?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item19d1f88b90

Since I bought mine at the start of this year, prices have risen by 60%, even the Canon Price Watch chart for the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM looks to be a bit out-dated (most of the retailers surveyed are 'Out of Stock' and Adorama are quoting $1,699 for US Warranty item):

That's pretty normal for UK prices . Actually, from memory it was selling for just over £1000, so that is high even for the UK. Most mainstream sellers don't have any for sale though now. The MkII is marked at £2299, which is around $3570. It should come down in price eventually (often quicker than in other markets), although the 70-200 f/2.8 MkII hasn't reduced much I don't think.

[RayValdez360]

I just bought a 24-70 L with a 5d mark III. I don't feel like waiting for the other lens especially if it doesn't have IS. I payed 1600 for it new and so far the images look great. I need some human subjects now.

[pdirestajr]

Keep your eye on the Canon Refurbished store. Yesterday they had it on sale all day for a little over 1100 (before it sold out). I'm in the US, not sure if /how it is offered in the rest of the world.

[michi]

Actually they are still in stock:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_282307_-1

They are an even better deal when Canon has a 20% off coupon, but when that coupon hits the good lenses sell out within 5 minutes.
I actually purchased this one a few days ago without coupon, supposed to be delivered today, because I have to shoot a baptism in a low lit church this weekend.  I'll see if I like it.  If its a good copy, I'll keep it, if not, I'll either return it or sell it. Mine came out to be something like $1,203 with taxes.  There's a free shipping coupon out there, I think it's SHIP712.

[DB]

Actually they are still in stock:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_282307_-1

They are an even better deal when Canon has a 20% off coupon, but when that coupon hits the good lenses sell out within 5 minutes.
I actually purchased this one a few days ago without coupon, supposed to be delivered today, because I have to shoot a baptism in a low lit church this weekend.  I'll see if I like it.  If its a good copy, I'll keep it, if not, I'll either return it or sell it. Mine came out to be something like $1,203 with taxes.  There's a free shipping coupon out there, I think it's SHIP712.

That is a very good price for a lens that (in Europe anyway) is fast approaching US$2,000

[DB]

The most expensive new 24-70mm f/2.8L Mark 1 lens for sale that I can find online is US$3,144 (£2,000 @ £/$1.5719 rate today) on eBay, and to make matters worse - it's actually for sale in Hong Kong of all places!

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2-8-L-USM-EOS-1Ds-1D-5D-7D-60D-600D-550D-LU-FEDEX-FAST-/300581644867?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item45fc0fea43#ht_2787wt_1152

[haring]

I am looking at the price on amazon.com and  the price is close to $2000 now. Is there a shortage of these lens or is the demand high even though the MKII is around the corner?

Because it is an awesome lens! There is not a huge difference between the tow and the mark I is already an awesome one. Buy it and yo will see!

[canonian]

My original 24-70 was awesome for the first few years I owned it.  But then something just wore out and the images started becoming soft unless I stopped down to around f/5.6.  I had it re-calibrated 3 times but it never was the same.  Just couldn't rely on that lens so I sold it.

Really, really bummed (pissed actually) that the Mark II is taking so friggin' long to be shipped