I'd like to know how Amazon manages to say there is a 41% savings on this lens when Canon has it listed at $7,299 MSRP and B&H for $6,799.
1795109
Remember most of products in Europe sells at LIST price, they pay hefty import tax and they can't effort selling at MSRP, Amazon looks at world prices not just USA
2251105
The reason the price jumped is that Amazon doesn't have the camera in stock (hardly anyone does -- Panasonic seems to have badly underestimated demand), and the only third-party Amazon sellers who have it are charging these ridiculous gouging prices because they think there are people willing to pay that much to get it NOW as opposed to whenever Panasonic can manufacture enough to satisfy the demand. If I were to put in an order with Amazon today (buying from Amazon at $899), I doubt I'd receive it before January at this point. There's no way I would pay $1500 for a GF1, but the official $899 price seems fair for what it is (with a lens included).
759242
If anyone is interested I have a 24-70L 2.8 Canon Lens. I only use it about 5 times total. 6 weeks after I bought it I purchase the 24-105 IS Canon Lens because I shoot mostly Wedding & Party's. The 24-105 IS works much better for the type of photography I do. I would sell it for $900.00 and include the B&W; UV Filter which is the top of the line brand filter which is made in Germany. Plus $25.00 for shipping. You can email me at rjgphoto@sbcglobal.net if anyone is interested.
1690494
There are also rebates or other programs that may come available. As of this writing, Canon is celebrating 100 million EF lenses and instituted a price drop on selected lenses like this one.
2194469
I looked at Price History in Price Grabber. Trying to draw a parallel to the price movement, I believe the HF S200 will go down about $100 this year from its current price and then another $200 between the end of this year and first half of next year (assuming Cannon has another new version next spring). Essentially, the longer we wait, the cheaper it becomes.
920609
Lens usually sells $650. Couldnt. believe $350 from Davismax thru Amazon. But true, brand new with USA warranty. LOVE IT. Still cant believe.
1552375
I went to the B&H; site and they were selling it for the mfg suggested price. No deal there, unless they are like Amazon and jack up their prices for the weekend...
1590353
They did the same thing on the S11 and such. I e-mail them with a correction to the page, but they never responded or corrected it. Crooks. Maybe if enough people e-mail them links to Canon's site and complain their listed prices are misleading, (bordering on fraudulent; claiming a $200 discount when you're getting no such thing and paying FULL PRICE) they'll fix it?
134414
I haven't checked the MSRP, but it's listed for around $320 here (though out of stock) and it's available for less than $300 elsewhere, so I think it's safe to take it as one of those Amazon random-before-discount-prices.
1590348
I sent them an email about this and here is the reply I got today from them:Hello,I understand your concern regarding the discount offered on out website of the item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder".When we offer a discount on an item, we display the item's list price.Please understand that the retail price of this item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder" is $1599.00 but not $1399.00.So, the price $1399.00 displayed is after deducting the promotion of $200.00(13%) of the item price.Please accept my apologies for any misunderstanding caused.We look forward to seeing you again soon."Things like this make me question Amazon business practices. It should be 1,199.00 with the $200 off. I sent them an email about this and here is the reply I got today from them:Hello,I understand your concern regarding the discount offered on out website of the item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder".When we offer a discount on an item, we display the item's list price.Please understand that the retail price of this item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder" is $1599.00 but not $1399.00.So, the price $1399.00 displayed is after deducting the promotion of $200.00(13%) of the item... » Read More I sent them an email about this and here is the reply I got today from them:Hello,I understand your concern regarding the discount offered on out website of the item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder".When we offer a discount on an item, we display the item's list price.Please understand that the retail price of this item "Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder" is $1599.00 but not $1399.00.So, the price $1399.00 displayed is after deducting the promotion of $200.00(13%) of the item price.Please accept my apologies for any misunderstanding caused.We look forward to seeing you again soon."Things like this make me question Amazon business practices. It should be 1,199.00 with the $200 off. « Show Less
669395
I am not sure but sometimes demand raises the price on items ... I paid around $130 for mine on amazon but a local camera company store was $250-$300. I guess I bought it when the price was right.
590910
as TomDiego said above Amazon's deal is much better than Costco's. Costco you get the camera, the 18-55mm IS lens, 50-200mm IS lens the bag, and an SD card for $850. Amazon you can get the camera, both lenses, the bag and UV filter lens for $800 with free shipping and no sales tax.
1531926
I received mine over the weekend from Amazon, but have done similar research as you did for over a week. I've noticed the same thing as you do on the price increase. IMO I chaulk it up to supply and demand. I shopped around and found the prices to be generally very close amongst online stores, and no more $435's available except at one reputable NY store selling it at $439 just the other day, and is back-ordered. The thing is that with Amazon there aren't even other vendors selling this camera at any price, so it's completely up to Amazon to charge what it thinks is appropriate. Even the used prices (which are mostly by Amazon in this case) have risen by a large margin. However, the camera is fantastic! So it's still a value proposition in my case. Since I sold my M43 gear, this $500 price tag is downright low. Look at it another way, there are no M43 or DSLRs (bodies only) that shoot at 5.5 FPS with autofocus or 12 without that come in at less than a grand. The lens range and aperture are in the same situation, there is nothing in the inter-changeable lens world that come close without costing multiples of this FZ150. Seriously, an Olympus 28-200'ish mm equivalent M43 lens runs at $450; a Nikon 18-200 VR for APS-C sensor is at approx $900; a Nikon 28-300 VR for full frame is about $1k (while non of these open to f 2.8). True, those cameras have larger sensors and the lenses are quality stuff and can do different things (we're not totally comparing apples to apples here), but if this camera is right for you for what you do as it does in my case for what I intend it to do, which is for travel (light) and take photos of my son at baseball games, the price is a steal. Frankly this camera out guns my DSLR by a large margin and does 1080P video with fast accurate auto focus at 60p :) I cannot do manual video focus of sports - at any price! On the other hand, other options may be to wait and see, or buy used. I checked out eBay, no luck there (but Amazon pricing staff already know that).
1451391
Matthew, Sigma has released information of a replacement lens which will hit the market towards the end of March. the lens is priced at $499 and boasts significant upgrades to almost every aspect of the lens. With that being said the price of this version of the lens has been slashed (lucky people like me found it for $289). I would consider your need for this type of lens. Most of the bad reviews come from earlier models of this particular version (matted black Vs smooth black). The defective lens's rightfully so get poor reviews, however the functioning models get high praise. I have tested the sharpness and autofocus and my unit is perfectly fine. I decided that $500 was too much for a new lens and $289 was a bargain for its older brother. If you look around you may still find that clearance price. I hope this helped!
1597128
if the lens is not around the $10,499 range then you need to ask the question. I purchased my lens from amazon. It was not a second, and no complaints.
896162
Hi, thanks for your question. I'm sorry that you were charged more than you thought you would pay for the lens. In this situation, I'd suggest contacting our Customer Service Team directly as they will be able to see your order and if it was ordered from a seller or directly from Amazon.com. Here's a link to our Contact Us page:
1235805
This appears that there is a couple of ideas to why such a price difference. 1 this could be a refurbished lens. 2 this could be a gray market lens that you will not be able to get the US Warranty for the lens. 3 could be sold by an unauthorized dealer. My experience, is to find an authorize dealer that you will get the proper support for warranty and technical support.