What's the frequency of shipments from Canon?

[Drizzt321]

So, according to the front page post that just went up,

B&H has said they should be able to fill all preorders with their first 2 shipments of cameras.

So my question is, how frequently will they get in shipments from Canon? Is it every once a week? So it'll be another 1-2 weeks before the B&H pre-orders are fulfilled? Or is it more frequent? Or do we just have no idea since this is a brand new release?

 

[Axilrod]

I know my local shop only got 3 yesterday and they are supposed to get more tomorrow, so pretty frequent it seems.

 

[Bennymiata]

When shipping stuff by sea, you have to book a container and the space for it on the ship.
If you have a regular booking, like I'm sure Canon do, the frequency of shipping wil depend on how often a ship is leaving your port going to the port you want the goods to go to.
If there is a ship every day, and your production can fill a container, or more, each day, they you can ship daily.

The frequency of shipping is entirely dependant on their production rates and the frequency of the ships.

 

[jalbfb]

I know my local shop only got 3 yesterday and they are supposed to get more tomorrow, so pretty frequent it seems.

Same here. I believe Canon has been sensitive to supply demands after their initial release of, I believe, the 5D2 which hit the market then took forever to get more and people were waiting significantly for them. The are supposedly two factories dedicated to only akin the 5D3. Supplies should continue to flow to various parts of the world on a regular basis. The problem with the initial release was the huge demand and frenzy to pre-order and the silence form the big stores on when and how many they would be shipping. AS local stores began to get supply, albeit relatively small numbers, the feeding frenzy started and there was close to "panic in the streets" over when one would actually get their hands on one. I ordered from B&H, but got so frustrated with either the lack and inconsistency of the info that I decided to go local. I should get (no real guarantee) mine before I would have from B&H-eventually we will all get our hands on one. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than latter for the most of us.

 

[chrysek]

I think they send everything by air like apple, if they were delivering by sea it woold take weeks. and they can use any carriers such as dhl, ups, fed ex and others.

 

[XanuFoto]

For something that is so light weight and so high value I suspect they use air shipments. If canon can successfully execute the delivery of this launch they would themselves a favor on the pr front.

 

[Drizzt321]

Ok, cool. I just wasn't sure if they had a weekly thing, or just as they fill up the container/pallet space they book a spot on whatever transportation they have arrangements on. All of the above makes sense, so I imagine that if the smaller stores are getting in some (albeit small number) pretty frequently to start with, I'll be able to order mine pretty soon

 

[photodim]

I ordered a kit online from B&H on 3/17. Just noticed that my order status was updated to shipped with a tracking number. Assuming this is not a fluke, it appears that they have a good amount of stock (and more coming in). That being said, all of the info I have read indicates that they will be able to be meet demand for the kit more easily than for the body.

 

[Drizzt321]

Yea, certainly seems so, lots of places seem to have the kit in stock, but no body. All of us 5d2 users rushing wanting to upgrade!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Here is my take, its only my intrepretation of what happens.

Canon has a very large stock of bodies and kits built up, and likely did not empty there warehouse of kits. Dealers apparently received fewer orders for kits so Canon has some still in their warehouse that they can ship almost immediately. Bodies may be all shipped, or they may have reserve stock of those as well. I'm thinking that the bodies are probably all shipped.

Canon has containers of cameras being shipped all over the world, probably every day, to go on ships heading to different destinations. Once the first round of shipments covering the world is finished, a second round will likely begin. This may be two or three weeks later, and may already be happening, since the first cameras were likely shipped two-three weeks ago.

So, it looks like kits may be available until the Canon warehouse is emptied. By then, another shipment may arrive. I expect that the ratio of body only to kits being assembled and shipped is firmly established and will be adjusted much later in the process.

Dealers will probably not have a huge wait to get cameras, since Canon has said they planned for a huge production rate.

 

[Axilrod]

Ok I talked to my shop that got a few in on Tuesday and they said they have more coming in tomorrow.