 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| PhotoKB HomeDiscussion Groups Digital Photography Digital PhotoDSLR CamerasZLR CamerasPoint & Shoot CamerasFilm Photography 35 mmLarge FormatMedium formatDarkroomFilm and LabsOther EquipmentPhoto Technique Nature PhotographyPeople PhotographyTechnique GeneralGeneral Photo Topics General TopicsAustralian PhotographyUK PhotographyDirectoryPhoto Clubs |
Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / Australian Photography / December 2007Price differentials in AU vs US; this is getting ridiculous
I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer range and reasonably fast lens. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM would do nicely, I think. There is but one problem. Or more precisely, 3,589 of them, for that's the recommended retail price. The lowest street price I've seen it for is $2,945. And yet, when I look at B&H's web site in the US, I find it at... $US1,574. Even assuming a conservative $0.86 exchange rate, that's about $A1,830. Add on freight, and even if you ended up having to pay GST you'd still be paying around $A1 grand, or about a third, LESS than the best local price. I mean seriously, what the....???? I'm tempted to make the purchase directly, though with my luck I foresee those three little letters "D.O.A." on the horizon. Does anyone have any good or bad first hand (recent) experiences on importing directly? > I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer > range and reasonably fast lens. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM would do [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Does anyone have any good or bad first hand (recent) experiences on > importing directly? https://www.camerasdirect.com.au/index.php/lenses/canon-mount/canon-zoom.html AUD$2,247.00 (incl.GST) For that price I wouldn't bother buying off shore. >> I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer >> range and reasonably fast lens. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM would do [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >For that price I wouldn't bother buying off shore. Thanks for that. It's still grey-ware so it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other if you DO need some service on it. However having read some reviews of both the IS and non-IS models I now have some doubts that the extra $$$ for the IS is worth it anyway. The non-IS model is reputed to be noticeably sharper. (But of course that doesn't alter the fact that we shooters of the .au variety seem to be being ripped off in a major way by the local distrubutors. Grrr...) Actually you are a little bit off there Pix, Working for an Australian distributor (in my regular job), I can tell you where the big issue lies. As we are classified as part of Pacific Rim region by many suppliers, we usually find that most of the purchases come from Regional Head Offices, set up in places like Singapore. So basically how it goes is that Sing buy off Japan, put on a margin, then resell it to us. We then put on a margin and it then appears to be a much higher price than elsewhere. The USA have such a huge market that they are treated like a region on their own, so basically they don't have the middle man. Also the fact that they have this huge market they generally get better pricing from the factories. This is a frustration held by many distributors here in Australia, while we are part of the International Company, we are effectively treated like Dealers. We would love to buy directly from Japan, they just will not allow it. From my perspective (in my photo business) , I cannot afford to purchase Grey/Gray market, due to my relationship with NPS. They have told me that if I purchase my Camera Bodies (not lenses) grey market, they will not be able to support me, I can tell you that the support they have given to me in loan gear etc over the past year more then paid for the difference in price. One thing that a lot of people don't realise though is that it's only the bodies that are not covered under Aussie warrantee, the lenses are covered Internationally. Hopefully one day the International Suppliers (Japan) will allow the rest of the world to purchase at USA pricing, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Mick Brown P.S. You think we have issues, go and check out how much the Pom's pay for camera gear :-o On 9/12/07 8:00 PM, in article vdbnl35qm1ua4927cpn9v3obddm7tgi3lv@4ax.com, >>> I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer >>> range and reasonably fast lens. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM would do [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > variety seem to be being ripped off in a major way by the local > distrubutors. Grrr...) An interesting post, Michael. >One thing that a lot of people don't realise though is that it's only the >bodies that are not covered under Aussie warrantee, the lenses are covered >Internationally. I think it may depend which lenses. I found this quote relating to Sigma lenses interesting: =============================================== SIGMA AUSTRALIAN WARRANTY ON GREY IMPORTS C.R. Kennedy & Co P/L will only undertake warranty repairs on products sourced through us. All products imported directly from overseas and resold are not covered by our warranty. This includes purchases through ebay and through grey importers such as www.camerasdirect.com.au, www.d-d-photographics.com.au and www.globalmediapro.com. Mark Harrison from www.camerasdirect.com.au has been directly advised by Sigma Japan that C.R. Kennedy, the only authorised Sigma agent in Australia, will not cover warranty on Sigma products bought through www.camerasdirect.com.au We will match, through our authorised Sigma dealer network, any legitimate advertised internet price on Sigma lenses by these grey importers. =============================================== From: http://www.crkennedy.com.au/v1/index.cfm?pageID=315 Of course in practice I've *yet* to have a lens go frosty on me, It's the "in theory" that's the worry, of course. Canon is, of course, another matter entirely. > On Fri, 7 Dec 2007 13:31:37 -0800 (PST), PixelPix > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > variety seem to be being ripped off in a major way by the local > distrubutors. Grrr...) Having owned both models (IS and non-IS) at the same time, IMHO there is no difference in image sharpness between the two. (I did tests) Of course it's a different matter in situations that need IS... in those the IS version kicks butt. ;) Have to agree with you on this one. IS has it's application, however as I shoot mainly sport, I have found that the IS (VR in my case) actually slows down the focus and results in more soft images. In low light portrait stuff, it is quite handy at times. Don't tell anyone though, as I am waiting for all of the 400 2.8 AFS users to jump on the new model with VR so I can get the old version cheap :-) Mick Brown On 9/12/07 10:44 PM, in article b1b8ab15-147d-4261-bb62-b9dbfeedea6a@b40g2000prf.googlegroups.com, >> <m...@pixelpix.com.au> wrote: >>>> I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > Of course it's a different matter in situations that need IS... in > those the IS version kicks butt. ;) I can confirm that CR Kennedy will match the Grey Market prices of Sigm lenses (as posted above by one of the forum members)...I have receive confirmation of this in an e-mail from them. I can also confirm that Canon will honour the International Warranty o Grey Market Canon lenses....as confirmed in a phone call to thei helpdesk. If you are looking for a good "Grey Market" seller in Sydney, tr D-D-Photographics (Chatswood). I have purchased lenses from the previously via both delivery, and personal pick-up from their sho front. Highly recommended. And if you're travelling overseas within 30 days, you can even clai back the GST at the airport. H -- Honest Gaza  SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > I'm increasingly noticing a glaring gap in my equipment list; a longer > range and reasonably fast lens. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM would do [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Does anyone have any good or bad first hand (recent) experiences on > importing directly? I buy everything - cameras, lenses and lighting from Hong Kong. Have done for over 2 years and never had any problems. The one lens I got with a sticky zoom ring (Sigma 120 - 300 F2.8) was replaced with a 10 day turnaround. Sure beat's Canon Australia's 6 weeks and problem not fixed pathetic efforts! Mail me privately for the dealer's particulars if you want.I highly recommend him for all repairs too. Cheap and fast. Douglas |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.