Canon slashes prices on Rebel XTi -- why?

[darryl]

Man -- doesn't it always happen this way?

Last week, the XTi w/ kit lens was in the $650-$699 range at various online resellers. So on Monday, I thought I was getting a steal, buying one from a nearby Craigslister that was lightly used (second camera for a family -- they preferred the point-and-shoot) for $575 w/ two 2GB CF cards to boot. (This was to finally replace my original Rebel that was lost/stolen back in April.)

Then this morning my wife calls. San Jose Camera & Video is selling the "starter pack" -- body + kit lens + 75-300mm (bleh, yes, I know) + Canon gadget bag + extra battery for ... $750! One day sale tomorrow (12/6/07), no sales tax.

That's the same package that Costco had on sale just last week for at least $950, probably more.

So I check on-line, thinking maybe I can sell the used camera and buy this starter pack to get a new body + kit lens, *maybe* flip the 75-300mm, and keep the bag and extra battery.

And crap, there it is on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000I1ZWRC/darrylshomepag0d) for $590.99. Geez.

I suppose some suckers on Craigslist might not know that. But I'd feel... slightly bad. :-/

Oh well, my nifty 50 (1.8 cheapo prime) should be on its way soon, and frankly that and the kit lens were what I used most with my original Rebel that got stolen back in April.

So does anyone know what the deal is? New Rebel coming out soon, perhaps?

Oh well, I got two 2GB CF cards for cheap, and I don't have to wait to have a camera in my hands today. I guess that's worth something...

*Sigh*.

--Darryl

[HarveyMushman]

So does anyone know what the deal is?l

Rumor has it there is a holiday approaching in a few weeks. Christmas, I think it's called. Have you heard of it?

:D

[ziggy53]

Hi Darryl,

I can relate. A couple of months ago I bought a used lens because I needed a particular focal length for a trip. I thought I was getting a pretty good deal and I had been tracking the lens pretty carefully.

I got the lens and used it, but when I next checked I found that the same lens had either dropped in price, or I was simply mistaken. Either way, I could have purchased the same lens, brand new, for the same price as I payed for a used lens.

The upside is that I had the lens to use, it worked pretty well and I got some fine visual memories.

Life is never easy. Cameras are always cool. Children are ..., well, that's another story. :D

[Tee Why]

The Rebel XTi should be in line to be updated on Feb 08, probably along with the 5D. Canon's bodies always drop several months before they are replaced.

[evoryware]

Wow has it been that long since I got mine?
Yep! 14 months...