Canon USA must have noticed the import/grey market craziness, because they will respond with a significant price drop and a new slate of aggressive rebates starting tomorrow, March 1st.

They will also switch from mail-in rebates to instant rebates for bodies. They will additionally increase the mail-in rebate values on lenses (and add more lenses to the rebate.)

Bodies

Canon USA will drop the MAP (or minimum advertised price) on the EOS 5D Mark III by $300 and the EOS 6D by $100. They’re also converting the current $300 mail-in rebate to a $300 instant rebate! Finally, they’re initiating a $100 instant rebate on the EOS 7D Mark II.

Here’s where all the street prices will end up as of tomorrow (all rebates are instant, the price you pay is the final price). We’re now taking street price inquiries at the new prices — brand new USA models from Canon USA authorized dealers, free shipping and a 1-year Canon USA warranty.

• EOS 5D Mark III: Street price of $2299
• EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-105L IS Kit: Street price of $2699 HOT!
• EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Kit: Street price of $3039
• EOS 6D: Street price of $1249
• EOS 6D with 24-105mm f/4L Kit: Street price of $1829
• EOS 7D Mark II: Street price of $1529
• EOS 7D Mark II with 18-135mm STM Kit: Street price of $1839

Lenses

Canon USA is starting a new slate of mail-in rebates, which is an increase from the rebates seen in February. (This is unheard of in our eight-year history of tracking Canon prices.) We’re seeing a return of some of the Holiday Rebate values (but sadly not on as many lenses). This is a new rebate period that runs from March 1st through March 28th, and is a different promotion-id from previous rebate periods.

Here’s where street prices will end up tomorrow. You can inquire now about the new pricing via our street price forms. Read more about our street price program that enables you to get great prices on brand new lenses from Canon USA authorized dealers.

• Zooms
• $50 Rebate on EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM: Street price of $1149 AR
• $200 Rebate on EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM: Street price of $1319 AR
• $100 Rebate on EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM: Street price of $1019 AR
• $140 Rebate on EF 17-40mm f/4L USM: Street price of $619 AR
• $150 Rebate on EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM: Street price of $1699 AR
• $200 Rebate on EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM: Street price of $659 AR
• $150 Rebate on EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II: Street price of $1849 AR HOT!
• $200 Rebate on EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM: Street price of $989 AR
• $150 Rebate on EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM: MAP price of $1299 AR
• $100 Rebate on EF 70-200mm f/4L USM: Street price of $559 AR
• $100 Rebate on EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM: Street price of $1189 AR

• Primes
• $150 Rebate on EF 35mm f/1.4L USM: Street price of $1179 AR
• $150 Rebate on EF 50mm f/1.2L USM: Street price of $1239 AR
• $100 Rebate on EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM: Street price of $1779 AR
• $50 Rebate on EF 135mm f/2.0L USM: Street price of $889 AR
• $50 Rebate on EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: Street price of $829 AR

We’re also seeing a renewal of the PIXMA PRO bundle rebates.

All in all, this is an aggressively low pricing from Canon (traditionally, prices rise after the holidays and remain high for several months). This shows a renewed interest by Canon USA to defend their market share against the import market, as well as from other manufacturers. Exciting times ahead!