Photographic Gear Prices in USA after Trump's Tariffs

[Davide DB]

Important: Our discussion will center on the economic impact of the new camera equipment tariffs, not the political motivations behind them. Again, Let's keep the discussion strictly to the economic consequences of the camera gear tariffs, leaving politics aside!

 

The Mirrorless Rumors article reports that new tariffs will significantly impact the price of Sony cameras and lenses. Cameras produced in Thailand will face a 36% tariff, while those from China will have a 34% tariff. Sigma lenses from Japan will see a 24% tariff, and Tamron products from Vietnam, a steep 46%. This will likely lead to price increases across the board; for example, the Sony A1II could jump to $8708. The article emphasizes that even relocating production to the USA wouldn't solve the problem quickly due to reliance on foreign components.

It also lists the production locations for major camera manufacturers and a table with the most common camera and lens models:

 

• Canon – Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and China
• Nikon – Thailand and Japan
• Sony – Thailand and China
• Fujifilm – Japan and China
• Panasonic – China and Malaysia
• OM System (Olympus) – Vietnam and China
• Leica – Germany and Portugal

 

In the last hours, several comments followed. Each commenter inevitably expresses his or her political views as well. i insert a few random links and avoid politically motivated comments. All I'm saying is that given our passion, other fees for housings and everything else are added to the above prices. Gates Underwater Products (professional video housings) and ULCS aside, I don't think I remember any U.S.-made housings and accessories. Please correct me if I forget anything.

 

Edit: according to Marelux: https://www.marelux.co/pages/aboutus they are USA founded but I don't know where their products are made.

 

https://www.theverge.com/tech/643041/trump-tariff-consumer-electronics-gadgets-smartphones-laptops-wearables

 

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/how-could-trump-tariffs-affect-camera-prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CaolIla]

I'm so happy to be in Europe 🙂 

[CaolIla]

I was thinking about the customer from the USA who ordered the new Retra Maxi... hummm it will be an expensive thing 

🤮

[TimG]

The US used to be a good place to buy electrical and camera gear. No longer I guess. 

[Chris Ross]

Ikelite is made in USA as far as  I know.  probably quite a few imported bits and pieces in the mix I would guess.

[Sokrates]

11 hours ago, Davide DB said:

 

 

Edit: according to Marelux: https://www.marelux.co/pages/aboutus they are USA founded but I don't know where their products are made.

 

Pretty sure they are made in China, but im sure some of the Marelux staff here will tell us soon.

[humu9679]

I figure US buyers will have to sit tight and take shelter. I will be using chewing gum and gaffers tape on my gear in the mean time. 

[TimG]

3 minutes ago, humu9679 said:

I figure US buyers will have to sit tight and take shelter. I will be using chewing gum and gaffers tape on my gear in the mean time. 

You know we Brits will ride to your rescue with your Euro allies. 😊

[humu9679]

19 minutes ago, TimG said:

You know we Brits will ride to your rescue with your Euro allies. 😊

Many thanks Tim. Maybe it will be a good comeuppance when the US are a middling developing country.

[Troporobo]

Any debate about true impact is impossible because the “formula” used to announce the tariffs is gibberish, was not accompanied by any guidance on rules of origin as all past trade agreements everywhere have required, and may not even be implemented for long. It’s clear that uncertainty will be the defining factor in the near term.  
 

However, if taken at face value, prices for consumers will go way up and manufacturers will lose sales.  But does the US market matter in an existential sense to photo manufacturers?  I don’t know  the % of sales there versus globally. 
 

The most likely answer is “who knows”?  There is so much randomness and inconsistency going on, with today’s announcements swinging 180* away from yesterday’s that no one can plan with certainty.  Add to that the fact that federal agencies charged with implementing new policies have had their staffs decimated so there’s no capacity for enforcement. I’m with Craig, sitting in a metaphorical bunker and waiting this out.  
 

[PeterN]

Ouch ...... just pulled the trigger on two new video lights (made in China) and the price I paid is over $100 from what it was a couple of weeks ago!  🥵  

[waterpixel]

Nauticam will become much more expensive. To be seen whether there will be pricing differences between regions (US vs Europe) or if the prices will be increased globally..

[Chris Ross]

10 hours ago, waterpixel said:

Nauticam will become much more expensive. To be seen whether there will be pricing differences between regions (US vs Europe) or if the prices will be increased globally..

it's already more expensive in the USA for Nauticam at least on an AUD basis compared to buying  here in AU.  Backscatter price is $USD 5272, which $AUD 8481.  The local Nauticam dealer lists it for $AUD7332.

[Davide DB]

1 hour ago, Chris Ross said:

it's already more expensive in the USA for Nauticam at least on an AUD basis compared to buying  here in AU.  Backscatter price is $USD 5272, which $AUD 8481.  The local Nauticam dealer lists it for $AUD7332.

 

IIRC in the big tariff mess, there were already previous tariffs applied to China (and thus Hon Kong). That is why the White House specified that the current tariffs are at 145%.

[makar0n]

6 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

it's already more expensive in the USA for Nauticam at least on an AUD basis compared to buying  here in AU.  Backscatter price is $USD 5272, which $AUD 8481.  The local Nauticam dealer lists it for $AUD7332.

 

Come to the EU we have cookies cheap Nauticam stuff 🤣

...and it gets even cheaper in low VAT countries or if you are from the "outside" and can claim the tax back.

Though Australia is a special case...everybody prices stuff there as way more as you are seen as rich down under.

Edited yesterday at 02:49 PM by makar0n

[Nikolausz]

GoPro cameras are US products but probably they're manufactured in Asia. I'm curious about the price change in the future.

[Chris Ross]

10 hours ago, makar0n said:

 

Come to the EU we have cookies cheap Nauticam stuff 🤣

...and it gets even cheaper in low VAT countries or if you are from the "outside" and can claim the tax back.

Though Australia is a special case...everybody prices stuff there as way more as you are seen as rich down under.

Doesn't seem that way when travelling and resorts in Asia set prices in $USD or Euros, the currency markets obviously has different ideas!  But seriously, it's down to high markups by the distributors, small populations mean small markets and the distributor has effectively a protected monopoly to bring stuff in.  It used to be really bad before but now prices seem to be set by the cost to import through grey channels more or less.