Friends Don’t Let Friends Pay MAP for Canon Gear

It’s been five months now since Canon introduced their strict Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policy, which forbids retailers from advertising low prices. In our opinion, it single-handedly killed competition in the Canon marketplace. Few stores now offer good discounts, as the traditional incentive of discounting — increased volume — doesn’t materialize when the store is no longer allowed to advertise the discount.

We think consumers shouldn’t be led to overpay for their Canon cameras and lenses. We created Street Prices to help share the lowest price we can find from authorized dealers. We can also help connect you to dealers willing to sell for these great prices, to save you time, as we’ve already done the legwork for you. Just fill out the Street Price contact form on any product’s page to get in touch with us. So far, this program has been wildly successful, with an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

Our biggest challenge with Street Price is most new users don’t trust us! We have a few great user reviews, but because our Street Prices are 10-12% below list price at other reputable authorized dealers, many photographers balk, thinking it’s too good to be true — another sign that MAP prices have become the new normal. This is a trend we need your help to fight.

If you’ve used Street Prices already, you will surely know we are the real deal. Please help us get the word out — leave a review of your experience; share your story on social media, Internet forums or blogs; and let friends, family, and strangers know about us. Friends don’t let friends pay MAP for Canon gear!

If you haven’t used Street Prices yet, please give it a try. You’ll get a smooth and personal purchase experience at a reputable authorized dealer, at a great price without the need for haggling, bidding, or games — that’s our promise to you.


If you purchase something through a link on our site, we may get a small share of the sale (at no cost to you). Please read our disclosure for more info.

43 comments on “Friends Don’t Let Friends Pay MAP for Canon Gear

  1. September 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm EDT

    I’d love to use Street Price, but you don’t offer anything I can use. I’m looking at the 50mm 1.4 and 70-200 F4L and may consider the 10-18mm F4.

    1. September 9, 2014 at 11:09 pm EDT

      We have a street price on the 70-200mm f/4L USM: $659.99. We don’t have prices on the others at this time, but we’ll try!

    2. Don
      September 10, 2014 at 8:58 am EDT

      I’d recommend stretching for the 70-200 f4 IS if you can. Not only do you get the 3 stop IS, which is tremendously valuable for shooting in low to moderate light without having to jack the ISO through the roof (something you don’t want to do with a crop sensor camera), but the image quality is better than on the non IS version. The street price on the IS version is a steal.

      1. Don
        September 10, 2014 at 9:24 am EDT

        An example of the value of the IS with the 70-200 f4 IS. Last week I was at Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, driving on a gravel road through the woods when I came up on a fawn that was eating grass just off the road to my left, no more than 80 feet away. I eased the car up a little closer to get an angle for a photo and the fawn paid no attention to me. Fortunately I already had the 70-200 IS mounted on a 5D Mark III sitting in the passenger seat. There was very little light as it was late in a rainy foggy day and the fawn was under a canopy of trees. I set the ISO to 2000 which I thought was as low as I could possibly get away with, set the aperture to f/4 in aperture priority with 0 exposure compensation, zoomed to get the composition I wanted and snapped a few photos handheld out the window. I got a tack sharp image at a focal length of 121mm and a shutter speed of 1/30. Fortunately the fawn was very still. To have any chance to get that shot with the non IS version of the 70-200, I’d have had to set the ISO up to 6400 and it likely still wouldn’t have been enough. While at least half of my shots with the 70-200 f4 IS are landscape shots off a tripod with the IS turned off, I think the IS version is well worth the extra $. At about half the price and half the weight of the vaunted 70-200 f2.8 ii with basically equivalent image quality, I think it is one of the best values among Canon lenses.

  2. L S
    September 9, 2014 at 2:07 pm EDT

    I’ve used Street Price/CPW service 3 times. First time I purchased 70-200 f/2.8 II IS and 135mm f/2 – in addition to a discount there was a manufacturer’s rebate. I received rebates for both without any issues. A few months later I purchased Pixma pro-100 with paper at a discount, also with a rebate. I received my rebate and printer cost me NOTHING in the end. I also bought 16-35mm f/4 IS lens at a discount (no rebate on that one yet, alas). Each time I received incredible support, as well as advice from CPW. I wholeheartedly recommend CPW and their program. I am a very happy customer, and I am planning on going through this service again in the near future. Thanks CPW, you rock.

  3. September 9, 2014 at 2:17 pm EDT

    I got my EF 70-200mm f/4L through Amazon, because I had $250 worth of gift cards for them, plus the rebate that just ended. I’ll most definitely take a loot at Street Price when I go to buy my next lens, the EF 16-35mm f/4L.

  4. Hopper Timothy Marc Jr
    September 9, 2014 at 2:40 pm EDT

    Flipping love it. Bought a Canon Mark iii from an authorized Canada retailer and it’s amazing!!!

  5. September 9, 2014 at 2:48 pm EDT

    I constantly send people here from forums. I have already had 2 great experiences so far this year!

  6. September 9, 2014 at 5:33 pm EDT

    Saved over $800 on my 5D using “street prices”. Received my camera from an authorized dealer in 4 days.
    Very thrilled with my purchase!

  7. September 9, 2014 at 5:37 pm EDT

    Saved a lot on my order with street prices as well.

  8. Emanuil
    September 9, 2014 at 9:49 pm EDT

    I have not used the street price yet. However I used the CPW group buy. The price was UNBEATABLE as well as the service from both the CP and the authorized dealer. Also saved on state tax. I am not a professional photographer and do not buy very often but will definitely use CPW for my next lense and my upgrade to 5D III as you guys have the best buying proposition.

  9. September 10, 2014 at 12:01 am EDT

    Just got my 6D for 1650 plus 200 rebate using the street price system. Best deal ever.

    1. September 12, 2014 at 3:43 pm EDT

      I got a 5D mark iii for $2250 from focus camera last march. $2550 – $200 rebate and a free copy of Lightroom 5. Now THAT was the best deal ever.

  10. rick
    September 10, 2014 at 8:36 am EDT

    I got even with Canon, I switched over to Nikon and Sony and happy I did.

  11. September 10, 2014 at 6:29 pm EDT

    Used it, saved money, and the communication and shipping were extremely prompt. Absolutely no reason to shy away!

    Now if I could just afford that 500mm II street price…

  12. September 10, 2014 at 11:13 pm EDT

    Apple does the same thing with their products if im not mistaken

  13. September 10, 2014 at 11:16 pm EDT

    I had a flawless transaction. It was quick, easy and I saved close to 50% on my 24-105L. Couldn’t be happier!

    1. September 12, 2014 at 3:40 pm EDT

      50% off what what price? MSRP? That lens always went for about $650 even though retail is $1100. I paid $600 for mine.

  14. September 11, 2014 at 9:19 am EDT

    Is the street price still good for the 6d, 24-70 f4 IS combo? If so will order next week

    1. September 12, 2014 at 12:02 pm EDT

      Yes, it is!

    2. September 12, 2014 at 12:03 pm EDT

      I used the link about an hour ago. Awaiting info

    3. September 12, 2014 at 4:23 pm EDT

      And I think you’re all set now!

    4. September 12, 2014 at 4:24 pm EDT

      Just waiting to send payment at this point. Hopefully soon

  15. September 11, 2014 at 5:00 pm EDT

    Never used the street price but saved a bundle on te last group buy!!!!!

  16. September 11, 2014 at 6:34 pm EDT

    Samuel Ebat

  17. September 11, 2014 at 9:37 pm EDT

    Cole Alcock

  18. September 11, 2014 at 10:22 pm EDT

    Just another reason I’m considering moving over to Sony. Canon has bailed on us, maybe it’s time we bail on them.

  19. Dante
    September 12, 2014 at 3:39 am EDT

    I’m one of those folks who was a bit apprehensive about ordering without knowing who the merchant was (I confess I was a little worried I’d get stuck with some sketchy eBay seller), but the merchant was actually someone that I have done business with often. I saved about $200 going the CPW Street Prices route. A part of me then still wondered if I’d get an open box or returned item, but nope, the lens was spanking brand new and I’m loving it. I’m definitely a happy camper and will be using Street Prices again in the near future when I’m ready to invest in my next lens.

  20. September 12, 2014 at 12:59 pm EDT

    Just received notice that my 70-200 has shipped!! Thanks CPW for hooking me up 😉

  21. September 12, 2014 at 1:55 pm EDT

    I purchased my 600EX-RT speed light at a killer price. Thanks to you guys!

    1. September 12, 2014 at 3:40 pm EDT

      How much did you end up paying? I actually need another one of those.

    2. September 12, 2014 at 4:21 pm EDT

      I believe I paid about $430 about 7 months ago.

  22. Guest
    September 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm EDT

    I took a look at your street price page, but don’t see the Pixma Pro-1 or Pro-10 listed. Do you do street pricing on printers?

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      September 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm EDT

      Unfortunately, not at this time.

  23. September 12, 2014 at 6:01 pm EDT

    Help im looking for a 200mm 2.8 prime.. pm me

  24. September 12, 2014 at 10:07 pm EDT

    Got the 5D Mark iii , and battery grip at a great price. Super communication throught and received in 4 business days. I’m sure I will do more with them. Looking for the 600 flash to go for a good price. Might have to jump on the refurb deal out now.

  25. September 13, 2014 at 1:07 am EDT

    Peter May

  26. September 13, 2014 at 8:39 am EDT

    I was skeptical but after asking around I plan to use street price for my 1dx purchase.

  27. September 14, 2014 at 8:15 am EDT

    Why don’t you post the true historical refurb prices? I’ve purchased every single one of my refurb lenses for much less than your lowest historical data.

    1. September 14, 2014 at 9:31 am EDT

      The graph you are seeing on our site is the graph of the lowest NEW authorized dealer price, not the refurb price. We don’t have historical refurb prices on our site.

  28. September 14, 2014 at 5:32 pm EDT

    I will try! Thank you! I’m looking a Speed lite 600!

  29. September 14, 2014 at 8:14 pm EDT

    I love MAP! I buy all my gear from my local camera store. When in a pinch and need something when they’re closed it’s a quick text and I meet them there. Does Street Price offer this level of service? Sure I pay more but I get more to.

    1. Guest
      September 16, 2014 at 11:44 am EDT

      You pay more therefore everyone should pay more? Basically that is what you are saying. You choose to support your local shop with higher prices because they offer you service which is important to you, great! Why you are happy everyone else who doesn’t choose to or doesn’t have a local shop to support has to pay more, just shows your selfish nature. To many, having a few hundred dollars extra kept in their pocket could mean actually being able to afford a piece of gear they need or allow them to stretch their money further and buy more gear with the same amount of money. I suggest a new Canon program call ” MAP Love”. People like Alister pay MAP plus an additional fee to be in the Canon MAP society, you’ll get a little “I heart MAP” sticker on all your gear and the rest of us get discounted off the extra you pay for your love affair.

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