Comments on: Canon 5D Mark II Accessories = Price Gouging?

By: Patrick Harrington

Patrick Harrington — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:29:11 +0000

I can’t believe some of the comments in here, if you can’t afford high end equipment don’t buy it! As for Canon losing money in their last quarter look at GM and everyone else it is the economy right now. The bottom line is you get what you pay for, and if you can’t afford it start saving up! Or finace it! It is an investment. If you are making a living with your equipment it is the smartest way to go anyway, if you lease your equipment it is a total write off. If it is just a hobby and you must have the best and newest of everything…… well then better get a better paying day job!

By: Patrick Harrington

Patrick Harrington — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:22:51 +0000

If you think that is bad you should have a look at some of the Canadian pricing. In the end these are products geared towards pros and entry level pros so unless you have a large budjet for your hobby then you need to make you equipment earn for you.

By: Anton

Anton — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:30:47 +0000

Hi all, Just got update from our local dealer here in Hongkong that battery grip for 5D Mk II: HKD 1600 (USD 210) and the battery: HKD 500 (USD 65)

By: Dean

Dean — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:14:22 +0000

You’re right – their accessory prices are completely ridiculous – and yes, I would use the words “Price gouging.” One can argue if the 5D alone is worth the price they’re charging, but these accessory prices should be criminal. Does one of their high end Canon Powershot SD 990IS 14MP 3.7X Optical zoom camera with image stabilization (currently sells for about $399) cost only $15 more to manufacture than a simple battery grip????

I guess they think that we’re all stupid enough to buy this stuff at these prices> They need to remember that the only way to bank profits is if you actually sell the products. At these high prices, I hope everyone is smart enough to save their cash! Maybe this is why Canon lost money in their last quarter – for the first time in quite some time.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:15:50 +0000

I agree with some of the comments, but the battery is more than just a battery – it has an interface (microchip) that lets the 5D Mark 2 identify it specifically, and allows you to keep track of the condition of up to six batteries. The charger also has the ability to recondition the batteries and extend the life. So, maybe this isn’t such a bad deal. And my dealer says the grip will retail for about $265.00 – still a little steep, but…

By: The Cool Tech Stuff Blog » » Canon Beats the Squeeze By Marking Up Accessories

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:31:07 +0000

[...] 5D Mk II Accessories [Canon via Photography Bay] [...]

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:59:22 +0000

The Mark 1 5D also have magnesium alloy grip so it cant be it, that’s justifying the price.

They’re probably just greedy

By: Max

Max — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:17:03 +0000

I agree a $380 grip is ridiculous… The current grip for the 30/40/50D is around $150! I was really looking forward to having the grip but being in Canada with the recent $300 price hike, I don’t know if I’ll be getting the grip. Should be interesting how much more the grip costs in Canada.

In defense of Canon though, I think this grip differs from previous grips in that it is not made of plastics, but built with the same magnesium alloy as the body making it stronger and a more seamless transition. But $380 is a bit ridiculous…

And the $100 batteries!? Getting a grip and an extra battery is going to cost almost $500… :(

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:40:42 +0000

Wow, you weren’t kidding about the gouging. $380 for a battery grip? The inconvenience of changing batteries suddenly isn’t as much of an issue for me now. Just placed an order for the 5D Mark II. Local Canon tells us it won’t get here till December. Boo.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:05:51 +0000

I think the listed accessories may be overpriced, but I wouldn’t say it’s “price gouging”. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe that there is such a thing as “price gouging” (hence the quotation marks). You have a product for sale and you price it how you like. Nothing else matters. If people pay for it, then so be it – if they don’t, then so be it.

I know some will say there is “price gouging” during disasters and it should be illegal, but I don’t think that’s the case either. If I have a hotel and people fleeing a disaster want rooms, then I SHOULD raise my prices. Otherwise, the family of four with the grandparents tagging along will get two or three rooms, thus depriving someone else of a room. If the price were higher, they might make do with one room.

The same goes with food or supplies. If prices aren’t raised in the face of disaster, then the first people to the store with money will buy more than they need and not leave enough for others. The government should not be in the business of telling people for what price they can sell merchandise.

Yes, these accessories are overpriced, but please don’t call it “price gouging”.