While there's no word on any US based rebate program yet, Canon Europe have announced their program which will run from March 1st 2008 to June 30th 2008. There are rebates on the 5D, 40D, a number of lenses and a couple of Speedlites. While there's not always a 1:1 correlation between Canon's programs in Europe and the US, there are often some similarities. However last year there was a rebate on the 5D and 30D in Europe in the Spring, while in the US the rebate program was on lenses only and no bodies were included. So you can't assume that a rebate on the 5D and 40D in Europe means there will be also be one in any US program.
For details of the UK program see http://canon2008promotions.onlinerebates.com/intro.aspx?country=uk&view=promos. You can find info for other European countries starting from this page: http://canon2008promotions.onlinerebates.com/
Last year (2007) the US program didn't include any cameras, only lenses, and ran from May 17th to June 16th 2007. In earlier years the program has started on April 15th. This year? Who knows (well, I don't anyway...). Since the fall rebates were extended into February, I wouldn't be surprised to see the US program start again in May this year, but that's just a guess.
Below is a table of the rebates offered by Canon UK (currently £1 is approximately equal to $2). For reference, the EOS 5D typically sells in the UK for an equivalent of around $2500 (before tax) and the EOS 40D sells for around $1300 (before tax), so the UK prices after the rebates are similar to the US prices without a rebate! (prices from robertwhite.co.uk)
Item | Cashback Amount |
EOS 5D body | £150 Cashback |
EOS 40D body | £100 Cashback |
EOS 400D body | £45 Cashback |
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM | £40 Cashback |
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | £40 Cashback |
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM | £75 Cashback |
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | £40 Cashback |
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM | £50 Cashback |
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | £45 Cashback |
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM | £50 Cashback |
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | £75 Cashback |
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM | £45 Cashback |
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM | £50 Cashback |
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM | £40 Cashback |
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | £40 Cashback |
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | £40 Cashback |
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM | £75 Cashback |
Speedlite 580EX II | £40 Cashback |
Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX | £20 Cashback |