Canon VIXIA HF M40 -- Erratic Pricing -- Why? The M40 price before Christmas was $300-350 on Amazon and a couple of local retailers. I had a raincheck for $300 at a local retailer which expired without more units arriving. By then the price had risen significantly, and for the past two months the price has fluctuated on Amazon between $500-700, usually hovering in the $600-630 range. It will dip to $500 for a few hours on Amazon and then rise again. Any idea why? Do you think it will every get back under $400? Thanks in advance. Canon VIXIA HF M40 -- Erratic Pricing -- Why? The M40 price before Christmas was $300-350 on Amazon and a couple of local retailers. I had a raincheck for $300 at a local retailer which expired... » Read More Canon VIXIA HF M40 -- Erratic Pricing -- Why? The M40 price before Christmas was $300-350 on Amazon and a couple of local retailers. I had a raincheck for $300 at a local retailer which expired without more units arriving. By then the price had risen significantly, and for the past two months the price has fluctuated on Amazon between $500-700, usually hovering in the $600-630 range. It will dip to $500 for a few hours on Amazon and then rise again. Any idea why? Do you think it will every get back under $400? Thanks in advance. « Show Less
1625002
I purchased this camcorder refurbished from Canon for just $349..A real bargain!
1625003
Just read this:..."I believe Canon discontinued these because they use the same sensor as their "professional" cameras costing up to $4k."They don´t make these cameras anymore, and they come with a very expensive piece. Probably it´s this.
360555
UPDATE:Woo hoo! Being persistent helps. I checked Amazon everyday to see if this camera was back in stock. Last week, it was in stock for a few minutes @ $399. I hit the check-out button, and it should be arriving this week.===Same here. I pre-ordered it for the $399 price, and the free 4GB SD card promo. I got my cancellation email last week. Now I have to return the SD card, since my current camera doesn't support SDHC.It seems everyone is out of stock. I have a feeling this camera won't be widely available till after the holidays. Bummer.
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).
243767
As of 5 November 2013 the price in various places (Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo) is $810. I don't know if Amazon will match prices, but most of the reputable places' prices mimic each other and, for the most part, have comparable return policies. If you find it cheaper from a place you trust with a comparable return policy, buy it there. There is no reason to be loyal to Amazon if they can't/won't match it. It will only cost you money unnecessarily.
2132879
Because Amazon is changing.... It used to be my default online store to buy stuff, even they are a little more expensive occasionally. Now they started charging 8% sales tax in CA. That's a deal breaker when I'm buying the D600+24-70mm lens because I'd have to pay $300 for tax. I bought from B&H, no tax no shipping.
251997
Because Amazon is changing.... It used to be my default online store to buy stuff, even they are a little more expensive occasionally. Now they started charging 8% sales tax in CA. That's a deal breaker when I'm buying the D600+24-70mm lens because I'd have to pay $300 for tax. I bought from B&H;, no tax no shipping.
415360
Why the sudden price increase from $430 to $489 everywhere? This lens is totally not worth that price.
376810
If your talking about the same identical camera I found that different companies charge based on supply and demand. Suggest finding out the MFR price before buying at the companies selling price.
2036127
This is basically backordered everywhere. Check out all the buying options, there are still some for sale at $799, but get them quickly since they're in super high demand! I was able to get one from Camera Land here on Amazon for $799 just the other day, and I'm now waiting for it in the mail.
501844
Amazon tends to raise their price autmatically (?) if there is more interests for the item. e.g. more clicks and page views increases the price.I think the price drop for a bit due the rumor that waterpoof version of this lense is going to be out soon. This is not a water-proof lense but a great one indeed.
894457
Happens all the time. Amazon's price seems to follow the prices of the vendors listed under "More Buying Choices." It might also be influenced by the number of people using their gift cards. If you can wait, don't be surprised if the price drops sharply in the next few weeks.Amazon doesn't have a "refund the difference" policy, so it's always a bit of a crap shoot.
134414
I haven't checked the MSRP, but it's listed for around $320 here (though out of stock) and it's available for less than $300 elsewhere, so I think it's safe to take it as one of those Amazon random-before-discount-prices.
1297947
I think it depends on who amazon sellers are, because I didn't pay 40.55 at the time. It was cheaper from amazon when I bought it.
2229080
I saw it briefly for $299 about a week ago, not sure if it was Amazon or B&H; or where, but it was either Black friday or cyber Monday 1 day special; I paid about $369 last year just before Christmas on a 1 day special at Amazon.
1235805
This appears that there is a couple of ideas to why such a price difference. 1 this could be a refurbished lens. 2 this could be a gray market lens that you will not be able to get the US Warranty for the lens. 3 could be sold by an unauthorized dealer. My experience, is to find an authorize dealer that you will get the proper support for warranty and technical support.
1582486
Brandon. It doesn't say when you asked this question but I figured the answer out. First, I just purchased the last one that a storefront had for $289, so i'm sorry if I stole the lens from you :X. Second, the price is going to be interesting on this lens from here on out. It has been discontinued due to a recently announced new model. The question is how much will this new model cost? To my knowledge that hasn't been answered. I decided to snag it at this price because if the new model is upwards of $400 then it out of my price range anyway. If the new model comes out sub $400 this older model might tank in price. Supply and demand will dictate based on that information. As for big stores, I don't see you having much luck. Most did firesales and liquidated their stock already to mitigate the price risk. I can tell you that this is my first fixed lens for general photography. It hasnt even arrived yet, but when it does I plan to test it out. If its not to my liking I can resell it to you at the price I purchased + the tax I paid + shipping. I would generally just return it but that lowers your chance of it ending up in your hands. If this was a recent post just come back to me and I can show you proof that it hasn't even arrived yet :). Take care!
2172863
... Amazon changes prices on products all the time. Sorry to say, but you snooze, you lose. If you wanted to get the camcorder for $299, you should have added it to your cart and purchased it when you saw it at that price, particularly on a day like "Cyber Monday", which involves a lot of limited time and limited quantity sales.