What would you do? - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/17/2005 05:03:17 AM · #1

I know i have been going on and on about this, but i am driving myself crazy. I am definately going to buy a DSLR (preferably canon) in the next 6 weeks or so. I am waiting for some money to come through.
My problem is this: If i buy from oz, it costs way more than anywhere else (except for the UK), if i buy overseas new i dont think i get a warranty, do i buy 2nd hand or do i buy new. I have so many questions going around and around in my head that the more i look the more i get confused. If i buy new overseas i will have to pay import tax and GST (10%), unless if i get it sent to my friend who lives in the states and get her to send it to me as a gift?? Am i right on this?? If she sends it to me as a gift i "think" i get out of taxes. Am i making any sense? I guess i need some input from others in the know cause i dont know what i am doing
Anyone have any ideas???

Lisa

faidoi

Pentax K10D

06/17/2005 05:13:00 AM · #2

I bought a Pentax *ist Ds and have enough money left over to buy a new computer that I'm researching for now.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/17/2005 05:15:35 AM · #3

Originally posted by faidoi:

I bought a Pentax *ist Ds and have enough money left over to buy a new computer that I'm researching for now.

i kinda wanted to get a canon, only cause i have 2 lenses here i didnt want to go to waste

faidoi

Pentax K10D

06/17/2005 05:18:51 AM · #4

Originally posted by lentil:

i kinda wanted to get a canon, only cause i have 2 lenses here i didnt want to go to waste

That's a really good reason. 350XT or 300D?

Message edited by author 2005-06-17 05:19:01.

cheekymunky

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/17/2005 05:22:31 AM · #5

When I was thinking about getting mine I was asking similar questions (i'm in the UK). What I was advised to do, if buying from overseas, is as soon as you get it, if it works INSURE IT!!! better than the warrenty as I know I'd break it in a way the warrenty wont cover.

just a thought!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/17/2005 05:25:15 AM · #6

Originally posted by faidoi:

Originally posted by lentil:
i kinda wanted to get a canon, only cause i have 2 lenses here i didnt want to go to waste

That's a really good reason. 350XT or 300D?

whatever i can get for the money. I am looking at about AU$1000ish, including shipping and memory card

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

06/17/2005 05:26:55 AM · #7

Originally posted by lentil:

if i buy overseas new i dont think i get a warranty, do i buy 2nd hand or do i buy new.

There was a thread a while ago saying Canon in the UK WILL service cameras bought in the US. Whether this is universally true, or available in Oz I don't know. It might be worth ringing Canon.

Originally posted by lentil:

If i buy new overseas i will have to pay import tax and GST (10%), unless if i get it sent to my friend who lives in the states and get her to send it to me as a gift?? Am i right on this??

From my experience of importing camera stuff to the UK this is true. Bear in mind the courier must be able to mark it as a gift. (There was a thread yesterday where FedEx weren't able to mark a package as having $0 value.)

Originally posted by lentil:

Anyone have any ideas???

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/17/2005 05:33:39 AM · #8

Originally posted by lentil:

Anyone have any ideas???

Is there Ebay in Oz? If so, look on your local Ebay and you will likely see 'companies' importing cameras and selling them at discounted prices. I bought (granted nowhere near the same value) a filter that was shipped from Hong Kong. Arrived absolutely fine in about 7 days. [/quote]

I was looking at a canon 350 from hong kong. It was about $1100 from memory, it says it has a 3 yr mack warranty and there is a local agent in australia for repairs. I dont know this kind of warranty and i dont know if it is dodgy or not. I think my only real way of getting one is buying 2nd hand from overseas otherwise i wont be able to get one here new, it is just way to much ($1899) and that is with no memory card

Message edited by author 2005-06-17 05:33:55.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

06/17/2005 05:52:33 AM · #9

I wouldn't think buying from Hong Kong would be any more dodgy than second hand in, say, the US. I agree with cheekymunky and in honesty 1 yr warranty is fairly short-lived anyway. Bear in mind if you buy a second hand one it may be nearing the end of its warranty.

As an example: I had the shutter replaced in the first year after around 11,500 shots, and I've now taken 6,500 on the second shutter. I do have 2 yr warranty from the company I bought it from, but this would not be transferable. In this case you'd be buying a camera that won't last very long.

Whatever you do, make sure you buy from someone that Ebay deems reliable (lots of positive feedback).

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/17/2005 05:56:03 AM · #10

it is so scary.. Of course i would much rather walk in a shop and be able to take it home with me but costs are going to make sure that dont happen. Buying either on ebay or 2nd seems to be the only way it will happen.
i appreciate your feedback,
anyone else??

datcat

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/17/2005 07:18:30 AM · #11

My 300D came from Singapore, my 70-200 lens from the US. I didn't give it a second thought. If something had broken I would have had to ship them back AND I would have whinged about it for sure, but all went well and as Paul said, the warranty expires before you know it.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/17/2005 07:28:22 AM · #12

Originally posted by datcat:

how long have you had your 300d for? Did you buy it from ebay? Or where did you get it? Any problems?

datcat

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/17/2005 07:39:12 AM · #13

I've had the 300D well over a year and I've not had any problems except just recently, and it's out of warranty anyway, there are fine granules of something just under the LCD screen. I think they could be shavings or dust from inside the camera that has worked across the screen, it doesn't bother too much. I'd rather not have people poking around inside it.
A friend of my husband bought the camera in Singapore for me. I bought the lens through B&H.

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

06/17/2005 07:42:02 AM · #14

thanks for that!

IF ANYONE HAS UPGRADED AND WANTS TO SELL THEIR 300D PLEASE PM ME WITH HOW MUCH YOU WANT FOR IT
Thanks
Lisa

Beagleboy

Canon EOS-30D

06/17/2005 08:05:56 AM · #15

Originally posted by lentil:

thanks for that!

IF ANYONE HAS UPGRADED AND WANTS TO SELL THEIR 300D PLEASE PM ME WITH HOW MUCH YOU WANT FOR IT
Thanks
Lisa

I will be replacing my 13-month old 300D shortly for a 20D. For sale will be 300D body, BG-E1 battery grip, 18-55mm kit lens with UV and cir. pol. filters and hood, remote switch (corded, not cordless), original Canon battery, one generic battery and all accessories that came with the camera when new. All equipment works great, is in mint condition. Never had any error messages. I have taken roughly 7000 shots with the camera. PM me if you're interested.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

06/17/2005 09:33:45 AM · #16

Originally posted by lentil:

a 3 yr mack warranty and there is a local agent in australia for repairs. I dont know this kind of warranty and i dont know if it is dodgy or not.

Mack is a reputable outfit, at least here in the States. You can check them out here: Mack Camera & Video.

You can buy their warranties up to 30 days after you buy your camera. The prices vary a lot, many places mark up the warranty so that they can mark down the camera. I think B&H offers the best price: Mack 5-Year International Warranty

Worth looking into.