Shortage of 1DX typical or not?

[unfocused]

Noticing that the 1DX II seems to be in short supply in many areas of the world and that in the U.S. it seems to go in and out of availability quite quickly, got me wondering if this is typical of newly released 1D models.

I was never in the market before, so never paid any attention. Just a question for those who bought past 1D models: is this limited availability typical or are we seeing something new with the 1D X II.

And, for further speculation, anyone want to make a guess as to why it's in short supply? Demand exceeding supply, obviously, but would that mean it's more popular than Canon expected or simply typical supply chain issues for a camera that has a very limited production run in the first place.

Just something to talk about.

 

[Canon_Shooter]

YES

 

[GuyF]

My local dealer says that due to the recent earthquake there are delays to the 1DX2. This is rubbish as the earthquake only affected some suppliers of components for Canon's compact cameras, not the1DX2.

I suspect the real reason is that the 1DX2 is not built on a traditional production line, rather each one is built by an individual in order to improve quality control. No idea how many staff are on 1DX2 duty but clearly not enough if you look at the shortage of supply compared to demand!

As far as I can tell there are more pandas in Scotland than 1DX2s!

Summer is here but my 1DX2 isn't.

On a slightly different note, it seems in Australia you get a 128gb CFast card but in the UK it's 64gb plus I've read one lucky UK owner report that there is no printed manual, just a CD. WTF? Gimme a printed manual!

 

[GMCPhotographics]

My local dealer says that due to the recent earthquake there are delays to the 1DX2. This is rubbish as the earthquake only affected some suppliers of components for Canon's compact cameras, not the1DX2.

I suspect the real reason is that the 1DX2 is not built on a traditional production line, rather each one is built by an individual in order to improve quality control. No idea how many staff are on 1DX2 duty but clearly not enough if you look at the shortage of supply compared to demand!

As far as I can tell there are more pandas in Scotland than 1DX2s!

Summer is here but my 1DX2 isn't.

On a slightly different note, it seems in Australia you get a 128gb CFast card but in the UK it's 64gb plus I've read one lucky UK owner report that there is no printed manual, just a CD. WTF? Gimme a printed manual!

DigialRev seem to have units for sale. I think the problem is that the Canon UK wholesale distributors aren't supplying shops who order just one or two units. They are only interested in 10+ sales....they take the money and then deliver just one or two units every few weeks. It really sucks, but that's how Canon UK roll when they can't supply initial demand. It's pretty tough on the shop too, they make less than 5% for each unit and that's a lot of stock money tied up in 10 non existent cameras. They tie up nearly £50K for 12 or so weeks and get to make only £250 profit each week. I pity the shops. Canon have been rigging the supply and the retail price for quite a few years now.

 

[Don Haines]

<snip>
anyone want to make a guess as to why it's in short supply? Demand exceeding supply, obviously, but would that mean it's more popular than Canon expected or simply typical supply chain issues for a camera that has a very limited production run in the first place.

Just something to talk about.

My bet is that it is a bit from column A and a bit from column B....

Sort of like the 7D2..... initial shortages....

When a camera of this calibre comes out, there is a sudden and unsustainable demand. They would probably have had to hold off on the release at least 3 more months to have had enough cameras to cover demand, and that means holding on to a lot of very expensive inventory.... Think of it as some people got their camera early instead of everyone having to wait.

 

[unfocused]

They would probably have had to hold off on the release at least 3 more months to have had enough cameras to cover demand, and that means holding on to a lot of very expensive inventory.... Think of it as some people got their camera early instead of everyone having to wait.

Yeah, it looks like Canon USA is shipping small quantities to major dealers as best they can. For example, Adorama did not have any, and now they do. B&H had some and now they don't. Best Buy had it in stock last week, then it went out of stock and now it's back in stock again. Amazon had it in stock, then didn't and then said it would be in stock June 3, now they are saying two weeks.

Sounds to me like Canon USA is shipping partial orders to their largest customers (they may order 12, but might only get them in shipments of two, three or four at a time)

I bit the bullet yesterday and went with Best Buy (I like using other people's money and they offer 12 months interest free). It has been shipped and is supposed to be here Friday.

 

[LoneRider]

I would suspect, Canon has a fixed number of camera lines. And they switch over lines from one camera to another to meet demand. With the 80D and 5D-iv needing some manufacture time as well, they are probably fitting the 1DXii in where possible. As well, I am sure, some customers are more equal than others, especially preparing for the summer Olympics.

If I had to guess, they will need at least all of last years 5D-iii production number for first week or 2 of 5D-iv sales. Being that date is about 4 months away, 5D-iv production is at full swing.

I have to imagine operations managers at Canon are not sleeping much right now.

As well, beyond their manufacturing facilities, they will have defined production slots at their subs. For example, I doubt they do their own metal casting and machining, they might, but, they probably have defined external capacity, and they have to manage that as well.

If we are correct, and there is a new MILC coming, that will be in the mix as well, let alone other updates on other ILC cameras. Where that lines up in the manufacturing facilities is anyone's guess. Does it hit the same assembly lines and the DSLRs, or other lines???

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Canon produces enough cameras initially to supply the forecast demand. Its very common that sales can exceed the forecast, and even though the factory is cranking out 30,000 a month, trying to meet demand world wide can be a problem. After 6 months or maybe 8 months, they will be discounted as the supply is saturated.

That's why Canon likes to space major introductions out by 8 months or more, their factory can then build up a inventory of the next new model to meet initial demand.

The production rate for a 5D MK IV will need to be 4 or 5 times that of the D1X II. The camera is almost certainly in production, but only the pieces and parts. Prototype cameras are being made and tested. This checks out the production line to make certain all those parts fit, work properly. Adjustments will be made where fit is a issue. They will be taking lots of photos with the lens cap on to check for light leaks, and long exposures to make sure amp glow is within limits, there are so many things to check, water leakage will be a big one. They also cycle temperatures, shake and bake, and if something does not hold up, its fixed.

I hope that the earthquake did not knock out the supply of light blocking tape (There are lots of light shields in the camera, and some of them will have adhesive bonding

 

[unfocused]

After 6 months or maybe 8 months, they will be discounted as the supply is saturated.

I generally agree with your assessment, with a small quibble. I'm not sure the statement above is true of 1 series cameras. The 5D, 6D, 7D, XXD etc., yes. But, looking at Canon Price Watch price graph, it looks like the 1DX held pretty even until last November when Canon instituted a rebate. I also went back through the CPW blog and could not find any discounts from authorized dealers. Even now the "street price" for the 1DX from CPW is still over $4,150.