What’s going on with the RF 200-800 backorder

[LaneW]

Estimated shipping date was Dec 14.  I ordered through Adorama, and they just say that they are backordered.  Seems to be the same story ordering direct from Canon and other sellers.  What is really going on here?

[Tronhard]

I understand, and sympathize.   I think it's not so much the delay as the not knowing.  If one had a definitive answer of something like "not until June", it might be tedious, but you would have a consolation of being able to count down to that.  Not knowing leaves one in a state of limbo: always hopeful and always disappointed on a daily basis.
As @icollector wisely said, one can use this time to gauge the experiences of others, learn more about its characteristics and evaluate examples.
I did that with R7 body, and while I had initially considered getting it, over time the experience of others and the samples made me move on - this unit was not for me.  I got my hands on a couple of units to test myself for a while and that confirmed my decision.

[A_Random_Dude]

Quite right. As someone much wiser than me once sang, "The waiting is the hardest part." 😁

I remember somebody telling me once (I forget the context), "The only cost to you will be patience." I rolled my eyes and said, "If patience were currency, I'd be in the poor house!" 🙄

But I'm looking at it this way: It's not like I desperately need the 200-800 at the moment, so when it's finally available to me, it'll be a nice addition to my kit. Until then, my 100-400 and Sigma 150-600 S are fine!

[Reinerchick90]

It's strictly to keep demand high on it. It'd a sales tactic to increase revenue but keep demand high until they release a new lens. 

[flyingron]

There's no need to do that manipulation.   Canon price fixes everything to begin with.   No artificial means is necessary.

[Tronhard]

That is not substantiated by fact.  Canon lenses have held their prices for extended periods without them being withheld from the market.  The 200-800 is such a unique lens that it will be in demand for a long, long time.  You forget they make their money by actually selling lenses not holding them back, especially in the initial period when they have invested in the design and manufacture and want the sales volume to pay for that.   I expect that they are significantly more frustrated than you, but generating conspiracy theories is not going to resolve the issue. 

This situation is created by a multiplicity of factors: scarcity of some raw materials that China has been buying up, massive disruption to global trade through attacks by Iran and their proxies shutting down 90% of traffic through the Suez Canal, while the Panama canal is similarly constrained by lack of rainfall to fill the reservoirs that operate the locks to carry ships over the Panama Isthmus.   Those bottlenecks disrupt the transit of raw materials and manufactured goods and strands large numbers of containers in shipping hubs waiting (because they missed their connections) for on-shipping to their destinations across the globe.  Why supply chains have fallen apart 

The Panama canal still suffers a lack of water impact around 40% of all traffic:
Panama Canal Drought Slows Cargo Traffic - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

If you want to learn about this, see: 

Start at timestamp 20:45 if you want the crux of the issue on shipping complexity.  I might add since this video was  published, Iran has become directly involved in attacks and piracy in the approach to the Suez Canal.  To go to the Panama Canal issue, go to 52:33

[Reinerchick90]

It's OKAY that you do not understand basic sales & business tactics in 2024. I will not argue with someone online. I had 2 different Canon reps as well as have personally spoken to 2 Canon EOL photographers that have also, too, provided the same information. You can believe what you want and I shall do the same 🙂 

[Tronhard]

It's your choice to believe in conspiracy theories, but more importantly want to expound them, then don't expect not to get challenged.  BTW, I worked for some of the top fortune 100 companies and my sources are well-documented and authoritative.   I rely on material that is internationally respected and respected, it is referenced and actually demands that you spend the time and have the open mind to actually follow it.
You don't indicate that your sources support your position or mine.  But I seriously doubt any Canon rep would run down their own company by saying they are intentionally holding back supply - it beggars belief. 
Take your conspiracy theories elsewhere.

[rswoan]

My 200-800 finally showed up from Canon USA direct. Ordered originally 11/2023. Canceled because they couldn't update expiring credit card in 1/23. Reordered 2/1/2023, delivered 6/18/2024. Phew, was starting to worry wouldn't show up before my August trip to Katmai.

[MilwaukeeMax]

This is what infuriates me. I had an order in with B&H since December for this lens and they couldn’t fulfill it even after six months, while people were ordering from canon direct way after I ordered and getting their lenses already. That is enraging. I’ve canceled my order finally and am done with this garbage.

[Reinerchick90]

Cheers. I'm not interested in you or your "authoritative belief". Have a great day 😉 

[Removed name-calling]