That is the standard perception but it does not seem to be true when comparing actual pricing of 1st party glass.
BH Photo Current pricing on Sony, Nikon and Canon's 2.8 trinities
- Sony's 2.8 GM Trinity = $7294.00
- Nikon's 2.8's trinity = $7590.85
- Canon's trinity = $7497.99
When you compare 1st party glass that is of the same aperture and is no more than 4 years old "Overpriced" moniker labeled on RF glass is pretty weak.
Here in the UK the f2.8 holy trinities cost
Canon - 15-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm = £7437
Sony - 16-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm = £6697
Nikon - 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm = £7397
To A LOT of shooters all of those options are overpriced or they appreciate the value of those options but simply can’t afford them. So for those people what can they do?
On Sony they can build an alternative f2.8 trinities with 3rd party glass that are more than good enough for the needs and wants of professionals and enthusiasts.
Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN - £1299
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN - £1049
Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 = £1149
Total = £3497
Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 = £849
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 = £849
Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 = £1149
Total = £2847
Nikon will have their own lower cost alternative f2.8 trinity once their 70-180mm f2.8 arrives.
On Canon there are no alternatives natively so its adapting EF glass which for some is a perfect solution but for others it won’t be.
Big Primes:
Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens = $11998.00
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens = 11999.00
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens = 13996.95
There is for sure some high cost RF glass but much of that is unique in design. The RF28-70 f2.0 as an example of costly but truly awesome and unique lens.
Again the issue for many isn’t that Canon has the high end high cost glass. Its the fact that natively there aren’t any alternatives available even from Canon themselves.