Here we go Again! Canon Apologizes for R6 Mark III and RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Supply Woes

That´s what I thought, too. People believe they get a great deal, but they're too lazy to check. It is actually the same with amazon for several things.
Many Black Friday or "tax free" airport offers are of the same kind. The Frankfurt airport (or was it Munich?) will sell you a tax free Leica M11 at exactly the same price you'd pay at an official Leica store...
PS: A price I'd no longer pay for a digital body with planned obsolescence... You still can get a 70 years old M3 serviced and repaired, but an M11 in 15 years???
 
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I used to buy a lot from (and also sell to) MPB, somewhere between 2017-2021. Since then, I noticed they raised their prices more or less drastically and also their resell offers went downhill. Atm, if I don't sell on Kleinanzeigen (or eBay) I sell to wirkaufens . de because they offer the most money and they've changed my estimate. I get what I signed up for. Sometimes the difference between those is several hundred €...

Buying gear from mpb is even worse: Canon Ra (astronomy) had a RRP of 2.500 € and MPB sold it for 3.000 €! The R6ii has basically lived at the 2.199 € price point for the last year, yet the "like new" was still above 2.200 € for a very long time. Buying a used camera at MPB would've cost more than buying a new. one.

I recently noticed though, that prices have come down a little bit... maybe their sale numbers went because they were/ are so greedy.
Do a lot of business with MPB and also with KEH. Prices for used Canon gear has gone up in the past few months - but also the amount they give you for selling or trading your gear. Sold some gear recently that got me more money than when I first got my quote a year ago. They are still much better to deal with than B&H used or most brick and mortar stores who offer you far less. They, unlike most, post actual photos of the gear they sell, and give a far better description than KEH or other sellers, pointing out issues such as moisture or fungus in a lens. Maybe Europe is different. All my experience is with MPB in the USA, and they continue to be my #1 choice for used.
 
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Do a lot of business with MPB and also with KEH. Prices for used Canon gear has gone up in the past few months - but also the amount they give you for selling or trading your gear. Sold some gear recently that got me more money than when I first got my quote a year ago. They are still much better to deal with than B&H used or most brick and mortar stores who offer you far less. They, unlike most, post actual photos of the gear they sell, and give a far better description than KEH or other sellers, pointing out issues such as moisture or fungus in a lens. Maybe Europe is different. All my experience is with MPB in the USA, and they continue to be my #1 choice for used.
Yes, indeed, Europe is different!
I've stopped making business with MPB.
 
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Curious if this has an impact in the other rumored lens announcement. Haven't heard anything since the R6 III and RF 45mm announcement.

 
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Best Buy was showing sold out for body only last weekend but then I looked again wednesday and it was allowing pre-orders again.

Mine is pre ordered from Adorama. I'm waiting on a price for a lens I am trading before I buy my other stuff I still need like memory cards and extra battery. . . and can't forget about the convertor ring or I will have a body with no glass on it. lol
 
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The 'supply woes' press releases are just marketing scams to psychologically manipulate gullible consumers.

For anyone interested, this is how it works:

When companies announce that delivery delays are caused by an overwhelming number of orders, they are tapping into well-documented psychological triggers that increase perceived value and urgency. This framing creates an impression of extreme popularity, which activates social proof - the assumption that if many others are buying the product, it must be desirable or superior. It also leverages scarcity psychology, where consumers fear missing out and therefore become more motivated to purchase quickly, even if they were undecided.

In many cases, these claims are strategically timed during product launches to generate hype, shape public perception, and inflate the sense of demand, regardless of whether supply chain factors or deliberate production pacing are the real causes of the delay. By shifting attention to supposed high demand, companies deflect from logistical shortcomings while simultaneously strengthening the emotional appeal of the product.

Now, there's also the psychology of pre-purchasing which is equally amusing:

Consumers who pre-order products before they are released or properly tested are often driven by a mix of psychological biases and emotional motives that override careful evaluation. Pre-ordering taps into anticipatory reward, where the excitement of being 'first' creates a dopamine-driven impulse that feels rewarding even before the product arrives. This behaviour is reinforced by FOMO (fear of missing out) and scarcity cues, especially when companies imply limited stock or high demand. It also reflects optimism bias, the assumption that a new product will meet expectations despite a lack of real-world data. For some consumers, pre-ordering becomes tied to identity and belonging - they want to feel part of the 'in-group' of early adopters, or they align their self-image with a brand’s narrative. In extreme cases, this behaviour becomes a form of self-justification, where placing a pre-order suppresses underlying doubts, because committing early feels like a way to validate one’s loyalty and reduce uncertainty. Altogether, these factors create a psychological environment in which emotion, status, and anticipation overpower measured decision-making.

Make sure to get those pre-orders in folks - you wouldn’t want to miss the thrill of buying something untested just so you can defend it before you’ve even used it. ;)
 
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Or it could be that companies err on the side of underproduction, because they are "terrified" of having excess inventory. Canon always discusses inventory in the quarterly financial documents.
That is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure where you heard that.

In modern manufacturing, especially under JIT (just in time)) and lean systems, companies do not intentionally underproduce; these systems are designed to match production precisely to forecasted demand, maximize utilization, stabilize flow, and avoid both overproduction and underproduction. The claim that firms “err on the side of underproduction because they’re terrified of inventory” misunderstands how JIT actually works and incorrectly interprets routine financial reporting—public companies like Canon must discuss inventory in quarterly statements because it is a required accounting disclosure, not evidence of deliberate supply restriction.

When a company uses claims of “shortages” as a marketing tactic, the shortage is a perception strategy, not an operational constraint, and attempts to rationalize it by appealing to inventory fears are simply trying to retrofit a plausible production explanation onto what was, in reality, just hype. I'm afraid it is just marketing's manipulation of consumer psychology, hoping this explanation is helpful.
 
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I still don't understand why the f Canon still sells bodies with kits such as 24-105 f4. The total price is the same as if I bought them separately.
It makes it a lot easier for beginners buying their first camera, my first 700D came with the EF-S 18-55mm and EF-S 55-250mm. At the time I didn't even know the difference between EF-S and EF lenses.
 
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Many Black Friday or "tax free" airport offers are of the same kind. The Frankfurt airport (or was it Munich?) will sell you a tax free Leica M11 at exactly the same price you'd pay at an official Leica store...
PS: A price I'd no longer pay for a digital body with planned obsolescence... You still can get a 70 years old M3 serviced and repaired, but an M11 in 15 years???
At this point I am pretty sure the shop owners are the only who benefit from the "tax free" part in airports tbh. Never buy anything in airports except maybe water if no other options
 
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It makes it a lot easier for beginners buying their first camera, my first 700D came with the EF-S 18-55mm and EF-S 55-250mm. At the time I didn't even know the difference between EF-S and EF lenses.
Point and shoot should be for this, "amateurs" or "beginners" that want no fuss.

The core feature of mirrorless/dslrs are that you can SWAP lenses. The bar of entry should be that much higher, it literally takes 5 minutes to ask ChatGPT about all of it... And you will need that knowledge at some point
 
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That is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure where you heard that.

In modern manufacturing, especially under JIT (just in time)) and lean systems, companies do not intentionally underproduce; these systems are designed to match production precisely to forecasted demand...
To clarify, my theory isn't about deliberately underproducing, it's about conservative demand forecasting. They may make conservative demand forecasts, to make sure they don't have excess inventory. Canon states that they want 60 days or less of inventory. At one point in 2024 they had 86 days of inventory. They don't want that to happen again.
 
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First of all, lovely post :) I knew most of the psychological parts behind all of it, but´ve never written it down and the detailed part about the "psychology of pre-purchasing" had some aspects I didn't know about.
The 'supply woes' press releases are just marketing scams to psychologically manipulate gullible consumers.

For anyone interested, this is how it works:

When companies announce that delivery delays are caused by an overwhelming number of orders, they are tapping into well-documented psychological triggers that increase perceived value and urgency. This framing creates an impression of extreme popularity, which activates social proof - the assumption that if many others are buying the product, it must be desirable or superior. It also leverages scarcity psychology, where consumers fear missing out and therefore become more motivated to purchase quickly, even if they were undecided.

In many cases, these claims are strategically timed during product launches to generate hype, shape public perception, and inflate the sense of demand, regardless of whether supply chain factors or deliberate production pacing are the real causes of the delay. By shifting attention to supposed high demand, companies deflect from logistical shortcomings while simultaneously strengthening the emotional appeal of the product.
I hate hyped products, I hate things generated by marketing. I hate the manipulative way marketing works sometimes. Worst thing: high RRP´s that have three discounts and a "final" 80% off tag which you can find in several furniture stores in this area. It really is a pain because it makes it really hard to evaluate a "good" price.


Now, there's also the psychology of pre-purchasing which is equally amusing:

Consumers who pre-order products before they are released or properly tested are often driven by a mix of psychological biases and emotional motives that override careful evaluation. Pre-ordering taps into anticipatory reward, where the excitement of being 'first' creates a dopamine-driven impulse that feels rewarding even before the product arrives. This behaviour is reinforced by FOMO (fear of missing out) and scarcity cues, especially when companies imply limited stock or high demand. It also reflects optimism bias, the assumption that a new product will meet expectations despite a lack of real-world data. For some consumers, pre-ordering becomes tied to identity and belonging - they want to feel part of the 'in-group' of early adopters, or they align their self-image with a brand’s narrative. In extreme cases, this behaviour becomes a form of self-justification, where placing a pre-order suppresses underlying doubts, because committing early feels like a way to validate one’s loyalty and reduce uncertainty. Altogether, these factors create a psychological environment in which emotion, status, and anticipation overpower measured decision-making.
Very interesting! Somehow, I am in some ways immune to this things at least when it comes to cameras. I've never purchased anything right away. Whenever I look at products, I try to figure out what price I´d pay for it. I first tested the EOS R at the photokina in 2018 when it was released. I did fall in love with it asap, but I figure out quickly I´d only pay less than 2.000 € (which still is a lot) and figured I´d wait two years for that to happen. Fortunately, I got it for 1.850 € in March 2019 and I was very glad. The 1.800 € wasn't undercut for years to come so even now I consider it a great.

The 45mm would have been my first pre-order but I do have the 50mm VCM. I bought this lens (and would´ve preorder the 45mm if I hadn't gotten the VCM) for a very specify reason/ need which I put a lot of thought into it. And this is one point, which I think justifies preorders: sometimes you really wait for products with a certain feature set and when a product checks all the boxes, you go for it! I´m absolutely sure that there are several people out there who've been waiting a long time for the R6 line to hit their sweet spot 32 mp. Now it's go time and I don't believe they are struck by FOMO or scarcity cues.
Make sure to get those pre-orders in folks - you wouldn’t want to miss the thrill of buying something untested just so you can defend it before you’ve even used it. ;)
I sure hope everybody can enjoy their new gear and I´d love to hear from you and share your impressions (R6iii as well as 45mm F1.2)
 
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Based on your past experience, or insider information, do you think the R6 III will get a discount during Black Friday?
I'm also considering purchasing about €6,000 in lenses. Maybe a rebate from Canon or resellers, like the more you buy the more you save?
Bottom line: is it worth waiting two weeks?
 
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Based on your past experience, or insider information, do you think the R6 III will get a discount during Black Friday?
I'm also considering purchasing about €6,000 in lenses. Maybe a rebate from Canon or resellers, like the more you buy the more you save?
Bottom line: is it worth waiting two weeks?
Wait...but maybe not for the R6 III.
It could make sense waiting for some offers on lenses.
 
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Based on your past experience, or insider information, do you think the R6 III will get a discount during Black Friday?
No
way the R6iii will have a Black Friday discount. The R6iii starts shipping three days before Black Friday, Canon will have to deliver preorders until Christmas or even longer. I´d guess the first rebate or cash back might come in spring 26 if we are lucky, but I´d believe summer 2026 sounds more realistic.

The point is: what kind of money do you want to save by waiting? If it is around 250 €, next year will be the time to buy. If you want the price point the R6ii has basically lived at for last 1 - 1/2 years (2.200 €) you'd probably have to wait at least until Black Friday 2026 or even longer.
I'm also considering purchasing about €6,000 in lenses. Maybe a rebate from Canon or resellers, like the more you buy the more you save?

Bottom line: is it worth waiting two weeks?
There will be some good deals on lenses. Usually, the consumer line lenses get bigger discounts (percentage wise) than L glass... at least in Germany.
 
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The 'supply woes' press releases are just marketing scams to psychologically manipulate gullible consumers.

For anyone interested, this is how it works:

When companies announce that delivery delays are caused by an overwhelming number of orders, they are tapping into well-documented psychological triggers that increase perceived value and urgency. This framing creates an impression of extreme popularity, which activates social proof - the assumption that if many others are buying the product, it must be desirable or superior. It also leverages scarcity psychology, where consumers fear missing out and therefore become more motivated to purchase quickly, even if they were undecided.

In many cases, these claims are strategically timed during product launches to generate hype, shape public perception, and inflate the sense of demand, regardless of whether supply chain factors or deliberate production pacing are the real causes of the delay. By shifting attention to supposed high demand, companies deflect from logistical shortcomings while simultaneously strengthening the emotional appeal of the product.

Now, there's also the psychology of pre-purchasing which is equally amusing:

Consumers who pre-order products before they are released or properly tested are often driven by a mix of psychological biases and emotional motives that override careful evaluation. Pre-ordering taps into anticipatory reward, where the excitement of being 'first' creates a dopamine-driven impulse that feels rewarding even before the product arrives. This behaviour is reinforced by FOMO (fear of missing out) and scarcity cues, especially when companies imply limited stock or high demand. It also reflects optimism bias, the assumption that a new product will meet expectations despite a lack of real-world data. For some consumers, pre-ordering becomes tied to identity and belonging - they want to feel part of the 'in-group' of early adopters, or they align their self-image with a brand’s narrative. In extreme cases, this behaviour becomes a form of self-justification, where placing a pre-order suppresses underlying doubts, because committing early feels like a way to validate one’s loyalty and reduce uncertainty. Altogether, these factors create a psychological environment in which emotion, status, and anticipation overpower measured decision-making.

Make sure to get those pre-orders in folks - you wouldn’t want to miss the thrill of buying something untested just so you can defend it before you’ve even used it. ;)

As a psychology fan, this was fantastically interesting compared to the normal product -related comments, typically composed of proud members of the Canon defense force or more analytical / cynics of corporate shenanigans amongst us.

Good show 👍🏾
 
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I needed a 2nd camera urgently, I was aware of the release dates for the R6iii and the high initial list price for it too because of this site. I could buy another R6ii for a really good price (UK grey market), however a great price on a R5 came up that I just couldn't refuse. I think for me, i'm pretty much covered with these two great cameras. Sure there are slight nods and favours that each camera offers. I think I'll wait for a year and upgrade my R5 to a mkII and have access to a stacked sensor. In waiting for a year, the price and suplly will stabilise more. I'm not sure there is enough in the R6iii for me to upgrade from my mkII. Maybe I'll wait for a future mk4 instead. The mkIII is looking like a great camera, it's just not enough (for me) against a superb mkII.
In my experiance, if you buy on pre-order, you are paying top dollar for a camera that has bugs and doesnt work well with light room for a while. You are also playing the supply waiting list game. The days of the massive changes to the camera outpur quality with each release are well and truely over. Each release is like a mild warm over now.
Your milage might vary and you really want this camera, but for me, I'm happy to wait and see.
 
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