Price Increases ... How much!??!?

I know we have all been expecting this, but I just checked the current price for a Sigma 100-300mm f4 and they are currently at £1149 at Warehouse Express

That's nearly a 60% increase over the price of £724 two weeks back - I'm glad I got mine then because there is no way I could afford it now.

I'm not having a go at WHE as there are similar price increases at many other suppliers but I am surprised just how big the price rises are.

One reason, well a very big reason why I bought my Sigma 140 ring flash, that has gone up £40.

I had the same problem at SRS yesterday with the 100-300. According to Chris, Sigma have not applied an across the board increase, but have piled extra on to some items like the 100-300. Anyway Sigma lost out to Pentax, a 300mm f4 is on it's way instead.

If You don't like it send it to me

It's going to get worse i'm afraid...

I have just had notification of another price increase from Intro 2020 who distribute Metz, Hoya, Kenko, Crumpler, Tamron etc etc.

Again, I have placed a large order to try and keep prices as they are for as long as possible.

I have also had an email from Nikon who are having a second price increase this year on March 1st. The Sigma increase is very large but they are hopeful that it will be the only one needed.

Can manufacturers sustain a price hike if sales take a dip? I appreciate the reasons for this and its understandable at the pro end of the market but when you get say a lens like the 10-20mm sigma hike up say from £300 to £400 then people like me saving up for such things are simply not going to buy it.

Time will tell I guess, maybe Chris can tell us how sales are going in a few months after all these price hikes.

I can maybe see why the manufactures would have to put up prices by 30% if you look at, the pound exchange rate against the euro as an example, or raw material/energy prices. However they can not use these justification's when they increase the price of one item by 30% and another by 60%.

Rabbit off somewhere!!!

Dare I say it everyones favourite supplier Jessops appear to have it in a Pentax fit for £729 with free postage!

I very much doubt whether they actualy have this in stock, and if ordered you would not get it, as they get items from the distributors when you pay for it.

They won't have it and the'll offer you the Tamron 70-300 But at the same price

Ah Jessops a bit like Monty Pythons Cheese Shop

Perhaps Sigma could start manufacturing their lenses in UK with such a poor exchange rate...
Andy

Well, unfortunately it's good news for me, thinking of selling mine soon and replacing it with the 60-250 if & when it comes out!

I was waiting for the 60-250mm as well. Not that I wanted it, I just thought when it gets released the market will be flooded with Sigma's!

Now with this price increase I would guess a second hand one won't be much cheaper than what I paid for it new, though I think things may return to normal before the Pentax arrives ....