Some of our readers have called BHphoto and other US stores and asked if pre-orders are affected by possible future price increases. BH said that these prices are ‘locked in’. So if you want to reorder some of the new gear that is due to ship in a few weeks, I would recommend ordering it today:
Important note: We are not talking about politics here, but simply about the economic impact of the new tariffs on camera gear.
Yesterday, Trump announced hefty tariffs that will affect the entire camera industry. That’s why I’ve grown tired of analyzing the possible consequences in the form of price increases. Let’s first look at where the companies manufacture their equipment
Assuming that camera manufacturers have very little room to offset these tariffs through some sort of cost reduction, US consumers will have to pay the tariffs on the camera/lens equipment. I have provided some examples in this table:
| Camera Model | Manufacturing Country | Tariff Rate | Original Price | New Price (with Tariff) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R1 | Japan | 24% | $6,300 | $7,812.00 |
| Canon EOS R5 Mark II | Japan | 24% | $3,999 | $4,958.76 |
| Sony A1 II | Japan | 24% | $6,499 | $8,058.76 |
| Sony A7IV | Thailand | 36% | $2,500 | $3,400.00 |
| Nikon Z8 | Thailand | 36% | $3,999 | $5,438.64 |
| Sigma BF | Japan | 24% | $1,999 | $2,478.76 |
| Panasonic S1R II | Japan | 24% | $3,299.99 | $4,091.99 |
| OM System OM-3 | Vietnam | 45% | $1,999.99 | $2,899.99 |
| Leica M11 | Germany | 20% | $8,995 | $10,794.00 |
| Fujifilm X100VI | China | 34% | $1,599 | $2,142.66 |
| Fujifilm GFX100 II | Japan | 24% | $7,499 | $9,298.76 |
| Hasselblad X2D | Sweden | 10% | $8,199 | $9,018.90 |
| Lens Model | Manufacturing Country | Tariff Rate | Original Price | New Price (with Tariff) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 | Japan | 24% | $1,999 | $2,478.76 |
| Canon 200-800mm | Japan | 24% | $2,499 | $3,098.76 |
| Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II | Japan | 24% | $2,299 | $2,850.76 |
| Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM | Japan | 24% | $11,999 | $14,878.76 |
| Nikon 85mm f/1.4 | Japan | 24% | $1,599 | $1,982.76 |
| Sigma 300-600mm f/4.0 | Japan | 24% | $5,999 | $7,438.76 |
| Panasonic 24-70mm f/2.8 | Japan | 24% | $2,199 | $2,726.76 |
| Tamron 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 Di III | Japan | 24% | $1,899 | $2,354.76 |
| Samyang 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 | South Korea | 20% | $1,044.27 | $1,253.12 |
| Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 | China | 34% | $854 | $1,144.36 |
| OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO | Japan | 24% | $7,499.99 | $9,299.99 |
This is just a theoretical calculation of the possible price increases. There are many variables that could change this:
I don’t know when these price increases will come into effect at shops like BHphoto and Amazon. The current cameras that are in stock are still ‘duty free’. But any new stock of cameras coming into the country will be affected by the new tariffs. I would suggest you to buy the gear now!
The bad news for all of us:
I have heard from managers that companies should slow down the introduction of new products due to the great uncertainty of this situation. They need to evaluate the following two important points:
Big mess:
Again, this is not about politics, but solely about the economic consequences of such a measure. What is certain is that this is a big mess at the moment and the times ahead will be difficult.
Important note: We are not talking about politics here, but simply about the economic impact of the new tariffs on camera gear.
Sony manufactures overseas and the new tariffs promise a price increase for all cameras and lenses. Products made in China will be subject to a 34% tariff and products made in Thailand will be subject to a 36% tariff. Sigma lenses are manufactured in Japan and are subject to a 24% tariff. Tamron produces in Vietnam (46%). Lenses from Chinese manufacturers are subject to a 34% duty.
Rough calculation:
This doesn’t sound good. Even if companies would transfer the production to the USA this would take years. And still many components are made in many foreign countries which would again keep prices high.
UPDATE: Here the production centers for the biggets camera manufacturers:
One of my sources believes that Sigma might announce a new Sigma 200mm f/1.8 Full Frame lens for Sony E and Leica L cameras! This would be the first time we get a modern version of the almost 40 year old Canon 200mm f/1.8 EF lens that became famous under the name ‘Eye of Sauron’.
The lens appears to be part of the ‘Sports’ series, and I have no further details yet on specs, release date or pricing. What I do know is that Sigma patented the optical design of the same lens five years ago (read the article here). This lens would be 24cm long, just like the current Sigma 500mm f/5.6. But the patent is quite old and it could be that the new 200mm lens is shorter and more compact, thanks to recent technical improvements Sigma has made to lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 and the soon-to-be-released 300-600mm f/4.0.
I still need more sources to confirm or deny this rumor before I can bring it to 99% certainty. So if you know more about this lens, feel free to use this anonymous contact form or contact me via eMail, Signal, Telegram.
Why do I think this lens would be an EPIC addition?
I will give you three reasons:
My speculation is that this lens might be price around $2,500 which would be $3500 less than the only similar lens you can buy at BHphoto today.
Wrap up:
Like I said, I still need full confirmation on this rumor. But I really hope that this rumor about the Sigma 200mm f/1.8 lens will come true. It would give us a new, unique lens that we don’t yet have in our line-up. Let me know what you think about this lens by taking part in this poll:
Loading ...To not miss any new rumor subscribe our newsletter and social networks:
Social Networks:
By subscribing you help me to motivate working on SAR, by making sure my exclusive rumor work get proper credit and visibility. Thank You All folks! https://youtu.be/MY-e94tAd4Y Found via Asobinet
Topaz released the new Photo AI v.3.6 update (Click here)
Press text (full release info here):
We’re excited to announce another major update to Photo AI
DEALS reminder:
Getnavi has listed the bestsellers in their big Yodobashi shop for the first half of March:
Best selling mirrorless system cameras:
Best selling fixed lens cameras:
Best selling lenses:
Sony Europe launched a new 400€ Cashback action. You can find the deals on those pages at FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Amazon DE, Calumet, WexUK, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT.
More actions:
Sigma Europe launched a new 200€ Cashback action. You can find the deals on those pages at FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Amazon DE, Calumet, WexUK, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT.
