Price rises - Anyone else put off buying

[Miss Moo!!]

Do you think camera's etc will be cheaper in America?

 

[hollis_f]

Longer term, in the last 3 years prices have increased overall about 50 to 75 percent.

Absolutely no idea how or why

In the last three years the why is easy - the Yen has been particularly strong against most other foreign currencies. Back around August 2008 one Pound would buy you around 210 Yen. Now it will get you about 135 Yen.

So a lens that costs 100,000 Yen would have been £475 three years ago. But that £475 is now only worth 64,000 Yen. But Canon's costs haven't decreased, because they're mainly in Yen. So if it costs them 75,000 to build the lens they would have been making a tidy profit of 25,000 three years ago. However, if they charge the same price in Pounds then they'll be making a loss of 11,000.

That's why the price has to go up.

 

[rugeyes]

it seems to be the only hobby i've ever had that has proved a wise investment. buying kit, even second hand, has held it's value and even made me a few quid too!

 

[Davey_Pitch]

I think for me, the rising prices are kinda making me want to buy now instead of waiting. I sold my 450D last year and want to get back into photography before I go to New York in October (and Florida next summer), so with prices rising I'm kinda looking to buy sooner rather than later in case they keep going up. At least camera equipment holds its value well, when I sold my 450D after 18 months of use I probably only lost about £120 in the end.

 

[cyclamens]

Do you think camera's etc will be cheaper in America?

They haven't really been that much cheaper for a while now - although the currently poor pound may have changed that..... however, if buying from anywhere outside the EU you are likely to be clobbered for Import Duty:bonk: That will negate much of the price benefit.