Canon 5D Mark III - Price Drop Details

[Richard8971]

I bought my 7D about 5 months ago and the price was about $1550.00. 2 months later it dropped to $1400.00. Now the price (at B&H) is back up to $1550.00. The 7 is holding it's value quite well even though it is almost 3 years old now. I don't regret buying it at the higher price because it was a fair price when I bought it so it isn't a big deal.

The 5D2 listed at $2200.00 shows that it still holds it's value really well. We just bought a lightly used 5D2 w/ grip from a friend who recently upgraded to his 5D3 and was really motivated to sell. We paid $1600.00 for our 5D2. We can't tell it from a new camera. (Less than 25K clicks)

I can't see paying full retail for anything (prices always change, rebates, sales, whatever) unless your NEED truly outweighs the costs. And if that is the case, pay what you need to pay. I have lots of friends who rushed out to get their 5D3's and are now dumping their "old" equipment to pay for it.

My camera stock is growing and I am paying half of the cost new! I love it!

D

 

[ruuneos]

5D3 At local dealer at the moment 3299€ original price 3799€ = 500€ off, they also are selling their 1D3 store "Demo-version" for 2899€!
And euros aren't comparable for dollars, for example 5D3, 3299€ = $4 153 (Current course: 07.02.2012 - 01:45 - Finland)

 

[dochawk]

The actual cost for Canon to build this camera is $2400.

How do you know that??? I think this information is as business-confidential as it gets, so I'd be very surprised to read something like this on cr.

Because my friend works for Canon and I got a MkIII for cost plus 20%, so I know what it costs them to make one. It's not just a random number that I thought sounded nice.

You paid Dealer's cost + 20% not the manufacturers production cost. This is what car dealers tell you when they say they are giving it to you at cost (they aren't including the manufacturer's incentive in that by the way). You got a great deal, but way overestimates the production cost. Per unit manufacturer's is an ever changing amount due to the economies of scale. R & D/1000 is alot different then R & D/100000.

 

[bdunbar79]

If it COST Canon solely, only to MAKE the camera, at $2400, you would not be purchasing it for $3499 retail.

 

[Chewngum]

Sorry but there is no way it costs Canon $2400 to build a 5d3. The camera is only a couple of months old and can already be bought for AU$3015 from a HK importer. They listed it at ~$3500 to begin with so they have dropped their prices $500 in a couple of months only. I think the Aussie retail price will hover around $3500 in about 9 months time but Canon want to hold the price as high as they can to add a little perceived value to the camera.
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=4160 and that includes postage, an aussie agent for issues and 1 year warranty. So no, the 5d3 does not cost $2400 to build and will likely be available for about $2800 or less from HK importers within the next year.

 

[julescar]

I purchased one about 2 months ago for 3495 from Teds... when they had a 10% discount. The best price atm is 3,688 for australian stock. Buying grey market is a risk if you get hit for duty (anything over 1000), thats if they check. Kogan are selling it for 3,389.00, which is also grey market but the duty is taken care of.

 

[Chewngum]

I purchased one about 2 months ago for 3495 from Teds... when they had a 10% discount. The best price atm is 3,688 for australian stock. Buying grey market is a risk if you get hit for duty (anything over 1000), thats if they check. Kogan are selling it for 3,389.00, which is also grey market but the duty is taken care of.

Actually http://www.leedervillecameras.com.au/digital-slr-cameras/canon-dslrs/canon-eos-5d-mkiii has had it at $3599 since launch basically and they are aussie stock. $3495 from Teds is a pretty good find. At the moment Myer has 15% cameras from a retail of $3999 bringing it down to $3400. But ~$3500 from Teds, I'd be happy.

 

[bolgo]

D800 is $300 more expensive at DWI than MkIII

DWI i have used a lot and very good

 

[x-vision]

The actual cost for Canon to build this camera is $2400.

This is very, very hard to believe.

By Christmas 2013, Canon will be selling the 5DIII for $2499.

Obviously, the 5DIII cannot sell for $2499 if its costs $2400 to build.
And yet, it will sell for that much. Mark my words.

 

[photogaz]

The actual cost for Canon to build this camera is $2400.

This is very, very hard to believe.

By Christmas 2013, Canon will be selling the 5DIII for $2499.

Obviously, the 5DIII cannot sell for $2499 if its costs $2400 to build.
And yet, it will sell for that much. Mark my words.

I personally think the $2400 value is the cost that they sell to retailers or distributors. The actual cost to make the product will be far less. This isn't a game console where they make money back on the games. They make a big chunk on the hardware itself.

If it is the cost to actually make the product, then it will include the R&D costs and the production line. Something that no doubt will decrease rapidly as the camera sells.

I personally don't think they can go on long selling it at the price it is. A $500 drop will come soon I think, especially with cheaper Nikon rival SLRs.

 

[Northstar]

The actual cost for Canon to build this camera is $2400.

This is very, very hard to believe.

By Christmas 2013, Canon will be selling the 5DIII for $2499.

Obviously, the 5DIII cannot sell for $2499 if its costs $2400 to build.
And yet, it will sell for that much. Mark my words.

I personally think the $2400 value is the cost that they sell to retailers or distributors. The actual cost to make the product will be far less. This isn't a game console where they make money back on the games. They make a big chunk on the hardware itself.

If it is the cost to actually make the product, then it will include the R&D costs and the production line. Something that no doubt will decrease rapidly as the camera sells.

I personally don't think they can go on long selling it at the price it is. A $500 drop will come soon I think, especially with cheaper Nikon rival SLRs.

Agree with all of this except I doubt the price gets much lower than $2999 anytime soon.

Also...There are 3 prices...retail, cost, and canon's cost. I used to run a retail golf shop, the term "cost" always referred to the retailers cost. Also, the manufacturers would often use this "cost" price as the price that their own employees could purchase the product...in this example, a canon employee would pay retailer's cost of $2400...some companies add plus 10 or 20% for their employees.

I don't doubt the $2400 as the retailers cost, but Canon's actual cost is probably in the $1500 range... That's just a guess.

So, maybe they make it for 1500, sell it to retailer xyz for 2400, retailer xyz sells it to us for 3500? ballpark est.

 

[Marsu42]

Agree with all of this except I doubt the price gets much lower than $2999 anytime soon.

... vote here: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=7749.0

So, maybe they make it for 1500, sell it to retailer xyz for 2400, retailer xyz sells it to us for 3500? ballpark est.

Sounds like it's time to become a Canon retailer, given the profit margin on other consumer tech :-o

 

[bycostello]

be a long time yet....

 

[drmikeinpdx]

Mark III price dropping

I'm seeing a definite downward trend. Multiple offerings below 3100 USD on Ebay. Apparently these are from small but well rated camera shops. The big online retailers are dropping a bit too.

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-223-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Black-Body-Only-Latest-Model-/113297147?_refkw=canon+5d+mark+iii&_pcatid=782&_pcategid=31388&_dmpt=Digital_Cameras

 

[TTMartin]

Re: Mark III price dropping

Most like that on Amazon state they were camera and lens kits that were split.

 

[RLPhoto]

Re: Mark III price dropping

I just ordered a MK3 body for 3,099 on evil bay. USA retail, non-grey market. 8)

 

[jrista]

Re: Mark III price dropping

I just ordered a MK3 body for 3,099 on evil bay. USA retail, non-grey market. 8)

Its really too bad your supporting evil bay by buying something they will get at least a 10% fee out of on the seller side, if not more when you factor in the PayPal fees as well. :\ (I really despise ebay these days...moneygrubbing greedmonsters...meh.)

 

[RLPhoto]

Re: Mark III price dropping

I just ordered a MK3 body for 3,099 on evil bay. USA retail, non-grey market. 8)

Its really too bad your supporting evil bay by buying something they will get at least a 10% fee out of on the seller side, if not more when you factor in the PayPal fees as well. :\ (I really despise ebay these days...moneygrubbing greedmonsters...meh.)

Oh well, Too bad canon didn't turn out a product that I feel is worth the extra 500$ Retail. :

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Mark III price dropping

I'm seeing a definite downward trend. Multiple offerings below 3100 USD on Ebay. Apparently these are from small but well rated camera shops. The big online retailers are dropping a bit too.

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-223-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Black-Body-Only-Latest-Model-/113297147?_refkw=canon+5d+mark+iii&_pcatid=782&_pcategid=31388&_dmpt=Digital_Cameras

Electronics Valley is not a Authorized Cannon Dealer, so there will be no warranty. Its likely a gray market camera, but if they are not a authorized reseller, thats not warrantied either.
As to ebay charging over 10 percent, I just sold off my Nikon D800 and 24-70mm f/2.8 G, and the ebay fee was 2.8%.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

Re: Mark III price dropping

Good point Mt. Spokane! There is no mention of any warranty in the ad.

I checked another ad on Ebay, which happened to be for the Mark 3 with kit lens... It clearly states that there is a USA warranty included. I assume that means the warranty card is in the box. However, if I read your comment correctly, the warranty is void if the camera is not sold by an Authorized Canon Dealer. Is there an easy way to find out if a dealer is authorized?

I would not wish to buy a Canon product without the warranty. I've had to send stuff to Canon Service many times!

Mike in Portland