RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM order wait time

[Pinballgov]

What would be the wait time if I order this lens thru canon, Thanks

Bill

[flyingron]

I ordered in mid-November and don't know when I'll ever get the lens.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

At this point, given the demand and supply chain issues the entire world is experiencing, I'd expect to wait anywhere from 30-120 days.  I have a stock alert set on it myself.    

[Spoony]

No one knows the wait time -- even Canon USA, but it will feel like forever and a day. At this point it's pointless pre-ordering because by the time a lens is available for your preorder it probably will be generally available anyway. So why clog up your credit card with the frequent "pending" charge going on then falling off your account. Also you loose flexibility if you see the lens ready to ship somewhere else (it can be a chore to cancel a preorder -- stuck on hold, etc).

But if you are wondering if ordering from Canon will get you the lens quicker than somewhere else, the answer is probably not. The better option at this point is to call a few local dealers and get on their waitlist. Most keep them and do not require a deposit or CC. They'll call, text, or email you when the lens is available and if you don't respond within a day will just go on to the next person.

[flyingron]

No chore to cancel on the USA.CANON site.   There's a cancel button right on the order status and the customer service agent (once I got one) offered to do so as well.

THere are no local dealers near me and the ones that will ship all appear to be backordered as well.

[shadowsports]

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@flyingron wrote:

No chore to cancel on the USA.CANON site.   There's a cancel button right on the order status and the customer service agent (once I got one) offered to do so as well.

THere are no local dealers near me and the ones that will ship all appear to be backordered as well.

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This is the best answer.  Its easy to cancel with a few clicks if you are lucky and find one in stock to buy outright.

[carlman3]

OK, so I know no one (including Canon) knows (or is able to state) when any lenses will be available from Canon. (such as the 24-105/2.8 or the 200-800). However, I would think Canon could state whether they're making them.  And if they made them, did they ship them?  Are they on the water and dealing with the canal issues, etc.?  

It seems to me they likely shipped a container late last year that ran into issues while in transit/on the water.  A lot of people got lenses in Jan/Feb.  So, my question is, did they make more and ship another container?  Or not?  That tells me all I need to know. Carriers send updates with the exact location and estimated ship dates all day every day, electronically.  They can't predict the future but they can say where your shipment is.  This technology has been around for 30+ years.  Canon knows what's going on and I guarantee they know exactly where their lenses are.  They wouldn't be in business if not.

I understand a lot of the reasons for delays in overseas manufacturing and shipping (including customs).  What I don't understand is the complete "we don't know anything" response from Canon when I called.  I wondered if they were going to continue producing the lens.  The lack of info (or maybe Hiroki) eroded my trust in them a bit, as an American.  There is a cultural difference and I'm wondering if that is at play.  

I've invested a lot in Canon after leaving Nikon for years... I've just never experienced this before from a large company.  Why did they put this lens on 'sale' then make it unavailable with no estimate of delivery and no information?  This does not provide for a smooth experience for customers.  We're begging you take thousands of dollars per customer.

If anyone at Canon is reading this, please at least state whether you're making the lenses and if so, whether they're in transit.. and sure, re-state that there are a lot of factors in transit that you can't control.  

[Stephen]

Of course we're producing the lenses. They're brand new.

And, unfortunately, we haven't been kept in the loop as far as what might be causing the delays. I can promise as soon as we know anything, we'll share it. 

[carlman3]

So, if you've been producing the lenses, where are they now?  It's been over 4 months since I asked this question.  To be clear... when I asked 'are you producing' them, I meant, actual manufacturing, putting them in boxes, onto containers, and shipping them... It as not a marketing decision question or about discontinuing.  Manufactures pause production of certain models all the time for a wide variety of reasons... like lack of raw materials, labor shortages, other priorities.

In any case, was hoping to have seen it by now. But I guess it wasn't meant to be for me.  I would not have guessed these lenses would be out of stock for 6 months solid.  Wow.

[March411]

The lack of transparency and communication is insane. When the R1 and R5 MkII launched our local retailer had a Canon representative on site with both of the new bodies. He also had the 200-800mm with him promoting it along side the two new bodies. It was early, not many people there so I threw the 200-800 on the R5 II and gave it a spin. I decided my current R5 fulfilled my needs but inquired deeply about the 200-800mm. The rep knew nothing, he was Sgt. Schultz (for those to young, google it and watch the video). Completely void of ANY information.

I inquired to the strategy of promoting an item that was on backorder, not available and not shipping. He conveyed that it was a Canon requirement, if they were in the field with the R5 and R1 the lens was to be in tow.

Like you I am waiting and Canon's silence is deafening. They are shouting loudly that they have little regard for consumer care.