Where have all the lenses gone?

[roy_palmer1]

<p>Hi<br>

Has anyone tried to purchase a Canon lens recently?<br>

I have shopped for:-<br>

100 macro<br>

16-35<br>

 

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="420">

<tbody>

<tr>

<td width="5" align="center" valign="top"><img src="http://www.photo.net/Images/spacer.gif" border="0" alt="" width="5" height="1" /></td>

<td width="290" valign="top">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="290">

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF_17-40mm_f-4L_USM/index.asp">EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >All on substantial back order?</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Now this couldn't be Canon restricting supply to maintain prices could it? No I was told, there was such a rush when they leaked a price increase that supplies have dried up.</p>

<p > </p>

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

</p>

[focuslightstudio]

I don't know where you shop but I just checked and www.bhphoto.com has the 16-35 and 17-40 in stock except for the 100 macro which is "out of stock" not back ordered.

[marco_hidalgo]

<p>I've been trying to buy a 35 f1.4 from B&H as well. I am not in a hurry though, but certainly I will not welcome a price increase.<br>

If the price increase is too steep, I might wait for it's release and buy the Zeiss 35 instead.</p>

[jay a. frew]

<p>Is there any substance to this price increase rumour? </p>

<p>Can someone provide a link to the leak (the internet makes me say odd things)?</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>Like the music retail industry, I suspect both photo dealers and wholesalers are trying to keep stock to a minimum in an attempt to reduce overhead. Things are slow and expensive lenses are selling even slower. Not much sense in sitting on a big stockpile. Most folks are saving their money for food and housing...</p>

[jc_stark_arts]

<p>@Puppyface...I can tell you this - I work at a large camera store and if we had it we could sell it...<br>

this whole concept that the stores are attempting to keep overhead down may be true for the small stores that have to sit on stock for months or even up to a year for certain lenses is not the case at the large retailers. Canon and Nikon are just not producing and I do think it has to do with keeping demand up.<br>

@Len - some stores such as the one you quoted are out of the 50 1.4, the 24 1.4, the 35 1.4, the 35 f2, the 135 f2, the 100 2.8, the xs etc and it's not in order to keep overhead down...</p>

<p> </p>

[neill_farmer2]

<p>Perhaps they've just reduced productiuon in anticipation of a drop in demand and got it a bit wrong.<br>

The Japanese are masters at marketing, but have two weaknesses, face and keeping employees happy. Before I retired I purchased many steam turbines from Japan. Depending on the economic cycle their response to enquiries could range from "there is a 9 month delay but for a premium price we can offer.... or when things were tough, "we want this sale, you tell us how much you want to pay". I tend to agree with JC, they're trying to maintain demand, and hence prices. 'Course if they discover customers going over to Tamron or Sigma the shops will be flooded with gear and rebates. <br>

Another cause might be the exchange rate, if they think this will improve in their favour they will ship as little as possible now in the hope that shortly their margins after FX will be better. All part of business. Neill</p>

[savagesax]

<p>Woodland Hills Camera has them -(818) 347-2270. Ask for Scott, the store matches prices of the big NY stores.</p>

[roy_palmer1]

<p>Sorry Bob,<br>

Should have made it clear I am in the UK.<br>

Roy</p>

[lester_wareham]

<p>Roy, limited stock even from big suppliers is not a new issue.<br>

I had to wait months for a 28/1.8 quite a time, for a 1.4X and 2X a bit less, for a 300/4, where as a 17-40, MP-E 65 and twin macro flash came through immediately. This was about four years ago.<br>

It seems there can be a big problem with Canon UK getting hold of stock from Canon corporate. I don't know if this is down to inaccurate sales forecast the previous quarter or year or something just systemic in the Canon distribution planning.<br>

The impression I got was other territories were being favored (ie USA), but this is probably a "greener grass" syndrome on the part of UK stockists.</p>

<p> </p>

[daniel_fetchinson]

<p>I've noticed the exact same thing in the US. Canon 50mm 1.2 L is out of stock at every major store, amazon/bh/adorama/etc.</p>

[lavi]

<p>Not just this lens, and not just lenses. I had to wait for EF 85 1.8 - it was out of stock everywhere, and waiting for 5D MarkII for 4-6 weeks (still waiting) - same issue at every outfit with relatively decent reputation.<br>

It's in USA, don't feel like a favorite :(</p>

[yakim_peled1]

<p>

<p>They will all be updated within a year. :-)</p>

<p>Happy shooting,<br />Yakim.</p>

</p>

[scrivyscriv]

<p>I was just checking B&H and they have 88 of 141 Canon lenses in stock - that's almost half of the lens selection back ordered or out of stock!</p>

[roy_palmer1]

<p>Something seems very wrong. With the financial position manufacturing and sales are in you would think there would be a plentifull supply of everything. Why not?<br>

Perhaps Yakin is right?<br>

I can buy an American import for the same price as Calumet (100 Macro) but don't want to take the risk.</p>