When I search for this lens on Amazon, it has two options. Both seem to be the exact same only this one is $400 less? Why is that? Both sold by Canon.
355198
The reason this one is much cheaper is that it is a white box item. WB items are part of a kit that is being sold separately. For instance, this lens used to be part of a kit along the Canon 5D mkII (the kit costs less than the camera plus the lens when sold separately). Sometimes, this kits are split up, the camera is sold "body only" and the remaining lens is sold "lens only". The merchant gets more money than by selling the kit, and the customer pays less for each individual item on a white box than he would've paid for a lens meant and packed to be sold as a standalone item The reason this one is much cheaper is that it is a white box item. WB items are part of a kit that is being sold separately. For instance, this lens used to be part of a kit along the Canon 5D mkII (the kit costs less than the camera plus the lens when sold separately). Sometimes, this kits are split up, the camera is sold "body only" and the remaining lens is sold "lens only". The merchant gets more money than by selling the kit, and the customer pays less for each individual item on a white box than he would've paid for a lens meant and packed to be sold as a... » Read More The reason this one is much cheaper is that it is a white box item. WB items are part of a kit that is being sold separately. For instance, this lens used to be part of a kit along the Canon 5D mkII (the kit costs less than the camera plus the lens when sold separately). Sometimes, this kits are split up, the camera is sold "body only" and the remaining lens is sold "lens only". The merchant gets more money than by selling the kit, and the customer pays less for each individual item on a white box than he would've paid for a lens meant and packed to be sold as a standalone item « Show Less
1790228
Honestly, there are some available on ebay with buyer protection (but I understand why you would want to get it from the above places instead). The 70-200mm is a great lens, but if you have your heart set on this particular lens you should wait to get this one :) I just ordered one from ebay but I did my research on the seller first.
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).
2173346
The best review of these two lenses in on Ken Rockwell's website. I currently have the Canon35 1.4 and the 35 2.0 non-is. I also had the 35 2.0 IS but sold it and then got the non-IS on eBay. Why? The IS is great but big and I was looking to put together a lighter combo than the 5DMK3 and 1.4. I have a 6D that fits the bill and thought the new 35 IS would work well as an everyday combo to carry around. The image quality is very good but it is big. So, I sold it, found a good version of the non-IS, and in combination with the 6D it meets all my needs. Good quality images, smaller lens, less weight.
1622871
The Amazon write up said this lens was gray market. It was made by Canon, but ... The definition of gray market is important. I don't know how Canon views these lenses. No joy in this answer I'm afraid.
1611414
I have had both versions of the lens and definitely preferred the one with IS. With that said, the difference in price is significant and the non-stabilized version produces superb images. If you are shooting outdoors with plenty of light it is perfect. If light is an issue when shooting I would definitely save up for the IS version.
729917
White box is just what it implies....lens comes in a white box rather than the Canon box. These are supposed to be a lens that was removed from a kit, where the camera was sold separetly. Perhaps because the buyer only wanted the camera. I also have to wonder if some retailer separate kits becasue they can get more $'s selling separetly. Just speculation??? Anyway, I have a white box lens and it came in a white box with the full warranty documentation, was brand new and works just great. I didn't need the $100 Canon box since I have no intention of reselling the lens down the road. But with anything, buyer beware so where you get it from might make a difference. White box is just what it implies....lens comes in a white box rather than the Canon box. These are supposed to be a lens that was removed from a kit, where the camera was sold separetly. Perhaps because the buyer only wanted the camera. I also have to wonder if some retailer separate kits becasue they can get more $'s selling separetly. Just speculation??? Anyway, I have a white box lens and it came in a white box with the full warranty documentation, was brand new and works just great. I didn't need the $100 Canon box since I have no intention of reselling the lens down the road. But with... » Read More White box is just what it implies....lens comes in a white box rather than the Canon box. These are supposed to be a lens that was removed from a kit, where the camera was sold separetly. Perhaps because the buyer only wanted the camera. I also have to wonder if some retailer separate kits becasue they can get more $'s selling separetly. Just speculation??? Anyway, I have a white box lens and it came in a white box with the full warranty documentation, was brand new and works just great. I didn't need the $100 Canon box since I have no intention of reselling the lens down the road. But with anything, buyer beware so where you get it from might make a difference. « Show Less
2184845
I do not know which other lens you are talking about. My guess is it has the same specs as this one also by Canon. They are versions of the same lens. The one whose page you are on is newer. The old one has a 67 mm diameter the new one 72 mm. New one has updated focal elements but it's roughly the same.
2158494
Most likely a price below $1499 is from a vendor that is not an authorized Tamron dealer. This means you may not be eligible for any rebates or the 6 year warrantee offered by Tamron. Most authorized dealers are going to set the price at MSRP ($1499). It is up to you if a discounted price is worth giving up any rebates and (more importantly) the 6 years of coverage. Go to http://www.tamron-usa.com/dealers.php to see if the dealer who is selling the lens is an authorized dealer of Tamron. If the cheapest price on Amazon is not from an authorized dealer go to the list of all dealers selling the lens on Amazon and find one that is authorized according to the Tamron website. I just bought this from Murphy's Camera because the rebate and warrantee were more important to me than saving a couple bucks. This is especially true when you consider the lens is not cheap and it would really bum me out if I needed to get it fixed out of warrantee.
729914
The white box one mentions list price as $499, while this one says $800. I checked at Canon web site. The list price for this lens should be $499. So any clues why Amazon has it listed as $800 on this page? Are there two versions of the same lens - i.e. is this the newer version compared to White Box offer? This is all too confusing as there are listings for seeming the same product. I understand the reason behind White Box etc., but why difference in list price???
1376191
The real problem is that the 17-55 f/2.8 lens is close to what every one wants but not quite there so people are disappointed with it. What dose every one looking at this lens really want? A real standard zoom L lens for ASP-C Bodies. Something with the same build/optical quality and features as the 24-70 f/2.8L, but with a focal length range that provides the same coverage on a ASP-C body. Something like 15mm on the wide end and like 45mm at the telephoto end. Since this lens doesn't exist people are forced the buy the next closest thing. Which is the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. Quite frankly for the build quality the 17-55 f/2.8 is way over priced and already in the same price bracket as an L lens. Which is why people expect same quality and then are dissatisfied when the build quality isn't much better then the kit lens. I don't see why canon doesn't just make an L version of the 17-55mm f/2.8 and sell it for like $1200-$1500. Especially considering the existence of the 7D, which is basically a pro-level ASP-C body. Oh wait I know, It's to force people who want/need to have L lens quality with decent wide coverage to upgrade to a full frame camera.
1375969
The lens is the same. I would recommend purchasing from Amazon, as there are no significant discounts and Amazon standing behind their products and purchasers, to include no-charge 2 day shipping if a Prime member worth it. By the way, a great lens. If you are a pro then go for it, but the new 24-240 lens at $995 is a great bargain and a great lens covering a 10X magnification, relatively light, and works great on e-mount Sony's. I just got mine and am ecstatic with it.
1837792
The model number for this lens is a005. This model then uses a suffix of "nii" for Nikon models, "e" for Canon models and "s" for Sony models. If you're trying to compare to another lens I don't know what it could be. At any rate, I have two of these lenses for two Sony cameras. I can say the Sony version of this lens is excellent and comparable to lenses costing much, much more. It has a very quiet autofocus and is very,very sharp. Let me add, if you are planning to purchase this lens from Amazon, check with Tamron first and verify that Amazon is currently an authorized Tamron dealer. When I ordered my first lens two years ago, Amazon was authorized and I had no problem getting the 6 yr warranty or a $100 rebate. When I ordered my 2nd lens, about 14 months ago, Amazon was no longer an authorized dealer and consequently Tamron would not allow me to register the lens for warranty or approve a rebate. They recommended I return the lens to Amazon - which I did - and reorder thru an authorized dealer. I ordered again thru B&H Photo and was able to register for the 6yr warranty and $100 rebate (I don't think Tamron is offering a rebate for this lens at this time.) I understand Amazon is again an "authorized Tamron" dealer but I would check with Tamron to make sure.
2219407
The more expensive one is from Amazon and the cheaper one is from another vendor selling through amazon. The cheaper one also comes with a flex strap for attaching the camera to certain things. They are both the same it just looks like the amazon price went back up after blackfriday and this other vendor kept it the same.
118285
The "White Box Version" should be cheaper than the so-call Kit lens version. The white box version is the same lens but without the fancy packaging from Canon.
1690495
Thanks for your question!I'm sure it's disappointing to see an increase in the price of the lens you were planning to purchase. Because we constantly receive new data from our suppliers, our prices regularly change. The price you saw was the lowest price we were able to offer at the time.More details about our pricing can be found on our Help pages:http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=468502&We look forward to seeing you again soon.
1235806
My best guess is that it's a grey market lens. Several of those companies sell them at very low prices. Be careful as they don't have US warranties. A quick google of the business name will usually tell you what you need. A good price just as long as you never need service. If you do, you're screwed.