Canon Price Increases Coming Soon?

[dppollet]

While shopping for an EF 35mm f/2.0 lens, I noticed that a number of online sites such as B&H and Adorama out of stock on a fairly large number of Canon lenses.  After a quick count, it seems that both sites are out of stock on over 20% of the models.  It would appear that a significant price increase is coming. 

Anyone having better information?

[Bob Atkins]

I wrote about camera and lens prices rising a couple of months ago:

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/Canon_prices_2009.html

While I'm not sure that the current situation of a number of lenses being out of stock is a sign of an upcoming price increase, I suspect that prices will in fact continue to edge upwards, as they have in fact been doing for a while now.

The out of stock situation could be explained by both dealers minimizing inventory (so they don't have as much money tied up in unsold mechandise) and by Canon cutting back on production in anticipation of reduced demand due to the worldwide economiv problems.

[dentheman]

I noticed Canon is giving instant rebates through their dealers on some lenses and flashes until mid July.  I suspect the prices will go up again after this latest rebate session.