Impact of US Tariffs on Camera Gear Prices

[FowlersFreeTime]

I think we all agree to stay out of politics on this site, its kind of an unspoken rule. However, politics is going to impact forum members like myself, living in the USA, with the cost of Sony cameras and basically all lenses expected to rise as a result of recently announced tariffs. I grew up in the Caribbean, where import duty is commonplace, so for me this isn't new but rather feels like the end of the honeymoon
I'm trying to scrape up some spare change to get one more Viltrox lens before the price goes up again on Amazon, but I fear a camera body or a nice new macro lens will have to wait a few more years. Anyone else feeling the same way, or are our forum members more international-based and thus excluded from the current circus?

 

[THXGEEK]

Yah, this is bad timing for sure. I was hoping to pick up an A1 II once they become more readily available (May?), but am not looking forward to having to pay another 10%, 25% (or more). I may very well just hold off buying anything.

This really sucks.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Yah, this is bad timing for sure. I was hoping to pick up an A1 II once they become more readily available (May?), but am not looking forward to having to pay another 10%, 25% (or more). I may very well just hold off buying anything.

This really sucks.

on the other hand, the used market is gonna be booming Though that doesn't help you if you want the latest and greatest.

 

[Roland]

I am well equipped at this time and it does not impact me.

 

[iamdlewis]

My A1ii hasn't shown up yet and based on the tariffs discussed it will be unlikely that I will get it.

I don't disagree that the US should have more manufacturing but this process is kind of like starting a home remodeling project with a bulldozer before deciding what part of the house you want to remodel.

Does the US need to manufacture cameras? The last production facility made cheap film cameras and closed in 1990 and ICLCs haven't been produced in the US since the 1970s.

 

[spudhead]

This thread is going to be a problem! I will hold my thoughts, but from the responses already its shows a lack of tact! I can confirm that the us customs are holding imports, I have friends in the US who have had theirs personal imports held up in customs for weeks now.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

This thread is going to be a problem! I will hold my thoughts, but from the responses already its shows a lack of tact! I can confirm that the us customs are holding imports, I have friends in the US who have had theirs personal imports held up in customs for weeks now.

If this thread becomes a problem, I'll own it and lock the thread immediately.
I had no idea about imports being held up, only that lenses I want will see a 24-34% price hike

 

[iamdlewis]

I can confirm that the us customs are holding imports, I have friends in the US who have had theirs personal imports held up in customs for weeks now.

That shouldn't matter with regards to tariffs as tariffs are usually applied to shipments based on the ship date not the date it made it to the location. It is usually done that way because in the past businesses have had issues in which goods were not inspected in a reasonable amount of time and then charged tariffs/other fees and courts have said that the businesses shouldn't have to pay for slow government processes. Even with how things are I do not see the courts changing this.

 

[Richard A]

I was going to comment on this but I have changed my mind. Having said that, I agree with @iamdlewis. It seems like they are taking the "bull at a gate" approach...

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Perhaps my topic of discussion was poorly chosen. I guess I was just seeking a distraction from the madness around me, but perhaps politics (or in this case, politically-adjacent topics) are truly better left off the forum...

 

[alexpler]

According to BHPHOTO prices of preorder products are locked and won't be affected by new tariffs.

Interesting news: BHphoto says preorder prices are “locked” and not affected by new tariffs | sonyalpharumors

Some of our readers have called BHphoto and other US stores and asked if pre-orders are affected by possible future price increases. BH said that these prices are ‘locked in’. So if you want to reorder some of the new gear that is due to ship in a few weeks, I would recommend ordering it

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[Tim Mayo]

I don't think a discussion on how the tariffs might impact the price of camera gear in the US is off topic for this forum, if anything it's extremely relevant for our US members. Providing the discussion remains price related and doesn't get political I don't see an issue here.

 

[spudhead]

I don't think a discussion on how the tariffs might impact the price of camera gear in the US is off topic for this forum, if anything it's extremely relevant for our US members. Providing the discussion remains price related and doesn't get political I don't see an issue here.

It`s only not getting political because people are holding back on their real opinions!

 

[RogerSmith]

Frankly I thought it was amazing that the A1II was (is?) $6500, same as the A1 was priced 4+ years ago. I think that honeymoon is over and I expect prices to rise. Now, not to really get political but just in terms of geopolitics if China invades Taiwan, get ready to shoot your current kit for years, the chip disruption will be profound. My local camera shop owner told me sales have really slumped, people are starting to hold onto their cash. However, there might be an argument to get what you want now given the uncertainty in the coming months and years.

 

[Tim Mayo]

It`s only not getting political because people are holding back on their real opinions!

Well these opinions can easily be expressed elsewhere if one feels the urge. I don't think it's all that difficult for adults to have a conversation about the impact of the tariffs on camera gear without bringing politics into it. Any post that goes off track will be removed and the thread locked if people can't play by the rules.

 

[Tim Mayo]

Frankly I thought it was amazing that the A1II was (is?) $6500, same as the A1 was priced 4+ years ago. I think that honeymoon is over and I expect prices to rise. Now, not to really get political but just in terms of geopolitics if China invades Taiwan, get ready to shoot your current kit for years, the chip disruption will be profound. My local camera shop owner told me sales have really slumped, people are starting to hold onto their cash. However, there might be an argument to get what you want now given the uncertainty in the coming months and years.

China invading Taiwan will be a whole different ball game. We won’t be worrying about a 10-20% rise in prices then as there will be nothing to buy and a whole lot of other things to worry about.

 

[RogerSmith]

China invading Taiwan will be a whole different ball game. We won’t be worrying about a 10-20% rise in prices then as there will be nothing to buy and a whole lot of other things to worry about.

agree 100%