Canon 5D Mark II--Availability

I wanted to see how many vendors were dealing with pre-orders of an unavailable camera. Amusingly, I typed that phrase in the title into Google and got back 3 sponsored ads at the top, from Calumet, B&H and Ritz. B&H redirected me to a search page with 2 items, nothing to do with the new camera. Ritz is actually taking preorders at the "retail price", and Calumet is tacking on a $300 premium to the body already.

Are we having fun yet?

So, has anyone heard hard-and-fast availability dates for this beast? I knew this was coming and am still planning on the upgrade, which means there will be a 5D body with about 3K actuations for sale roughly about a week after I get my new body. Any pre-takers?

I imagine that Canon will be offering some sweet rebate on this sucker to generate sales. Last time, they had some rebate for the 5D body that was around $600-700, IIRC.

Seriously, though...echoing Todd's comments from his clearly adrenaline fueled posting yesterday, that's one SCHWEEET piece of hardware. A quantum leap over the current 5D for sure, IMO, features + sensor alone.

Excited, but not as much as Todd is (who could be?),
-D

I imagine that Canon will be offering some sweet rebate on this sucker to generate sales.

Yeah, in about a year or two.
Look around at the enthusiastic crowds of folks wanting this camera, and know that no rebate is going to be needed to spur sales for an awfully long time.

I spoke to a gal at Pictureline yesterday and she indicated they were expecting to start delivering them in early November. With all the hoop-la over this camera I suspect there will be some backorders, though.

So, has anyone heard hard-and-fast availability dates for this beast?

Dealers have not received any information yet on pricing or shipping date. Some dealers might get hints from their rep but nothing official has been released yet, other than a news release announcing the new cameras.

I got a pitch from Calumet yesterday, and their price was the standard $2699 that I'd heard the camera would sell for. I wonder if they tacked on extra between yesterday's solicitation and when you checked 'em out, Dave. Strange...

Amazon has it for pre-order.

I heard late-November, but yeah, with back-orders on this much anticipated camera, I imagine they'll be readily available just in time for me being able to afford one, sometime before next summer.

I wouldn't expect to see any of the main resellers coming down off the MSRP until 2009. There is such a demand and with the holidays there is no need to discount the product.

The Canon press release indicates "scheduled for delivery by the end of November."

I know someone who works for a camera dealer, and he said sometime in November, but they haven't received much info either. Was also quoted the $2,699 price.

I'll pipe in, being an actual Canon retailer and all! Canon had price adjustments on the 40D and 5D about 30 days ago. Bringing the 40D to a MAP of $1100 and the 5D to a MAP of $2100. This happens regularly and lets the retailers know somethings on the horizon. We dont know any specifics, just that they are positioning products in certain price areas. The 50D, as you already know, was introduced a few weeks back with a scheduled ship date of 9/22/08, the opening of Photokina. The 5D MkII will have its official unveiling there as well. None of the retailers can actually order the camera yet. Canon isnt taking orders on it as of yet. My guess is we will be able to order it early to mid Oct for Nov delivery.
So Canons Christmas SLR lineup looks like this...Rebel XS kit $699...Rebel XSI kit $799...40D body $1099...50D body $1399...5D body $2100...5D MkII $2800...and then the 1DS bodies. These prices will fluctuate a bit depending on the store and what they want to do with the pricing, but this should be pretty close. Thanks! Scott at 13Photo dot com

My guess is we will be able to order it early to mid Oct for Nov delivery.

I'm leaving for a two week photo trip on 29 Oct. Being an actual Canon retailer and all, can you pull some strings and get me a 5DII body before then ... wholesale?!