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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / Australian Photography / June 2006buying a lens from HongKong?
I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either route: New, Australian shop, local warranty ~$1700 New, OS ebayer seller, "local support", but ultimately could be waiting months for UK repair according to fine print, although there is a 7-day DOA exchange policy ~$1219 (shipping & insurance 1-way or $1330 with GST) 2nd hand, no warranty, gamble on seller honesty in their descriptions ~$900-1100. older 2nd unit, worn but working (hopefully) ~$500 I'm ready to try the second option and just hope the lens doesn't develop any problems. Is there any manufacturing difference between Nikkor sold in Oz and overseas markets? Lens is Nikkor 80-200 AF-D 2.8. 2nd hand market seems a bit crazy on these given a fair few of them being sold are US or Asian private imports anyway. Mark. I buy from a bloke in Endevour Hills off ebay, he allows you to pick up and try.. he gets from USA... any issues he swaps the lens for you for his own (to known customers), you get a working lens, and he sends back for repairs.. when yours returns you swap back or keep which ever you like. I know the guy you're talking about. I bought all my gear from him.  SignatureDale Porter GPX250 -> CBR600 -> CBR954 + VTR1000 >I buy from a bloke in Endevour Hills off ebay, he allows you to pick > up and try.. he gets from USA... > > any issues he swaps the lens for you for his own (to known customers), > you get a working lens, and he sends back for repairs.. when yours > returns you swap back or keep which ever you like. Whatever Nikkor gear you are buying NEW make sure they are not grey market items [read : without the yellow Nikon warranty slip] During the 1st year, you might be able to hassle the seller on any warranty work but after the warranty expires you are on your own [unless you buy insurance on them] Nikon approved service centers ARE NOT allowed to touch those gears regardless you buy them locally [with tax invoice etc]. If they touch it and Maxwell founds out, they will lose their service rights. For the AF 80-200 f/2.8 D ED 2 touch version , you are looking @ around $800+ for a good condition. Just bought mine at $400, bashed but still works very well and optics are still clean. Currently the unit is @ Poraday for a CLA work to make sure its in tip top condition. After it comes back, I am planning to gaffer it to have camouflage stickers on em :) > I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with > a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either > route: > Nikon approved service centers ARE NOT allowed to touch those gears > regardless you buy them locally [with tax invoice etc]. > If they touch it and Maxwell founds out, they will lose their service > rights. I wonder what the trade practices act, re: restraint of trade, says about that? Of course it's probably cheaper to go to a non authorised repairer anyway. MrT. > I wonder what the trade practices act, re: restraint of trade, says about > that? > Of course it's probably cheaper to go to a non authorised repairer anyway. > > MrT. Have no clue on that. Maxwell could argue it ruins their market and the items does not conform to the Australian standard [ the tick ] Re. non authorised repairer, well they have to source their parts from somewhere :) + going to non-authorised center, someone actually spend $500 on a D2H factory defect that is actually free if serviced on an authorised center :) > Have no clue on that. Maxwell could argue it ruins their market and the > items does not conform to the Australian standard [ the tick ] > Re. non authorised repairer, well they have to source their parts from > somewhere :) Sure, OS is cheaper. > + going to non-authorised center, someone actually spend $500 on a D2H > factory defect that is actually free if serviced on an authorised center :) But you wrote : "During the 1st year, you might be able to hassle the seller on any warranty work but after the warranty expires you are on your own [unless you buy insurance on them]" So not relevant to your argument or my reply. MrT. >> Have no clue on that. Maxwell could argue it ruins their market and the >> items does not conform to the Australian standard [ the tick ] >> Re. non authorised repairer, well they have to source their parts from >> somewhere :) > > Sure, OS is cheaper. I tried getting parts for my items a while back, if my friend is not working in Nikon SG I think I can't get the part until today. Somehow tiny camera parts is not as easy to get like car parts. >> + going to non-authorised center, someone actually spend $500 on a D2H >> factory defect that is actually free if serviced on an authorised center [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > So not relevant to your argument or my reply. The item warranty expires ages ago. And since its an Australian unit [again .. the tick] , they can fix it freely under factory defect warranty. Does the term "grey market" apply to lenses? Nikkor lenses are sold with an international warranty unlike electronic products like digital cameras. Maxwell's website says they will honor this with proof of purchase. > Whatever Nikkor gear you are buying NEW make sure they are not grey market > items [read : without the yellow Nikon warranty slip] [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >> a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either >> route: One reseller in the US specifically said "grey" or US version. And as practised in HK or other part of the world, you can buy Nikkor non DSLR product [lenses , speedlights] and opt to buy the grey [shop warranty. no Nikon yellow slip] or the normal Nikon warranty [which can be international] > Does the term "grey market" apply to lenses? Nikkor lenses are sold with > an international warranty unlike electronic products like digital cameras. > Maxwell's website says they will honor this with proof of purchase. > Just bought mine at $400, bashed but still works very well and optics are > still clean. I'm jealous. I've been looking for one of them under $500 for ages. I can't really justify the price of a new one because I won't use it much at all. > I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with > a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Mark. Nikon lenses have an International warranty. Make sure you are getting that. There are a couple of retailers in Australia who import lenses from OS and with these lenses you get the International Warranty form and a receipt from overseas to match. Nikon USA has a different system with there warranty. (ref to B&H web site for differences) My lenses come direct from HK with a receipt and International warranty. Check with http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/ (Sydney) there prices and there was a Melbourne mob who were doing the same. An example European Camera in Sydney has the 12-24 at $1800 this is from Maxwells. And d-d Photo has the same lens at $1375. There will be no difference in these lenses. Tim Watkins was selling cheap lenses also at one stage think they came with an extended Mack Warranty. In article <449b0006$0$17545$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au >, > Check with http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/ (Sydney) there prices > and there was a Melbourne mob who were doing the same. Yep $1395 with local warranty (12mths) from D-D seems reasonable for local support and no costs for return shipping. I visited the B&H store last year ago but since I'd only just purchased the D70 for the trip could only justify a 50mm f/1.4 and 70-300mmG then. IN fact still can't justify more...but I want ;-) Thanks all for the info. Mark. > I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with > a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Mark. Hi Mark, I just bought this very lens from B&H for USD849. I was unlucky and was stung for GST by customs but still came out waaaay ahead of buying locally. You may have better luck. I believe that Maxwells have to honour warranty on lenses regardless of how they were purchased. As to their manufacturing - all out of the same place I'm told. Anyway - it's a beautiful piece of glass and I would have no hesitation in recommending B&H - I've purchased many top shelf lenses from there with not a hint of trouble. If you're considering 2nd hand, go to www.keh.com. Truly wonderful - I've purchased a lot of gear there as well - they are extremely good and the lenses are always better quality than you expect (unlike Adorama "have a drama"). Cheers, Dave E (Sydney) >> I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with >> a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > Cheers, > Dave E (Sydney) Oh, and I've purchased a lens from HK (I was there) - a Nikkor 85 f/1.4. You do have to be a bit careful I think - there probably exist fakies but I've had no problems. Cheers, Dave E (Sydney) With respect to lenses, I have brought local (new) and from B&H in the US (new) based on the price differences when gst, postage and exchange charges (bloody banks) are factored in. I tend to only by L series lenses and the warranty is world wide although I have never had to use it. With respect to cameras, I shop local to support local support as I am not as certain about warranty or reliability of the body verses the lens. We need to keep a thriving local supply available but not at the expense of big bucks as is the case with a lot of high end lens pricing. regards Don >>> I'm thinking about buying a decent zoom lens and seemed to be faced with >>> a couple options which I'd appreciate feedback on if you've gone either [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > Cheers, > Dave E (Sydney) > With respect to lenses, I have brought local (new) and from B&H in the US > (new) based on the price differences when gst, postage and exchange [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > need to keep a thriving local supply available but not at the expense of > big bucks as is the case with a lot of high end lens pricing. Hi Don, yes, my thoughts exactly. I am only buying 'pro' Nikkor lenses too and like you have never had a warranty issue. Likewise, bodies I will buy locally for the same reasons and have to admit to a sense of guilt mixed with an inevitability with regard to purchasing glass overseas. As for film, well, how is it that I can make a purchase from the warm comfort of my home, glass of wine in the hand - delivery arrives in a few days for about 1/4 the local price? The film is purchased from the US and has been 100% so far. I'm sure my internet buy price is far lower than the local shop cost price - crazy stuff. Cheers, Dave E (Sydney) ... >I'm sure my internet buy price is far lower than the > local shop cost price - crazy stuff. They could buy from the same source as you if that was the case. Not many "grey market" warranty issues to worry about with film. MrT. "Don" <mackie.don@bigpond.com> wrote in message news:SuLmg.14561$ap3.904@news- > warranty or reliability of the body verses the lens. We need to keep a > thriving local supply available but not at the expense of big bucks as is > the case with a lot of high end lens pricing. No...until the local shops learn some manners and customer service I will be sending all my dollars to overseas stores. I have no problem if the little local corner store here closes down - afterall, if they offer sh.t service...then its their own fault. |
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