Christmas Time.....on The Hunt For A Lens

[redangel]

Ok Christmas is just around the corner and I believe Ive been a good girl and without a partner to dispute this fact i think I deserve a new lens. I have gone to the city and got my quotes from the main players retail...Camera house, Teds & Michaels. For half the price there are options like digital rev and such online options. For the cheaper price...is it a gamble? Are you getting the same product? Im not flushed with cash but I would rather pay more or wait rather than take a chance with my purchase. Am I being overly fussy??? I do like to deal with people direct, if only for someone to hear my opinion should something go wrong.

[kja]

I won't pay more for the same lens because I can walk into a brick & mortar store.

I usually order everything from new york, but check prices with the big Aussie players, too.

I think if you get a lens from somewhere DOLers have had good luck with, you'll be good.

So, most importantly, what lens are you getting?

[redangel]

I did look at US stores...I understand that if it is under 800...duty isnt paid at border ...but not 100% sure. Nikkor 105mm 2.8.( Depending on price I was thinking of upgrading my 70-200mm for the 70-300mm vrII.) Was quoted $2300 for both in a walk in store. Primarily though I really want to 105mm....I thought about the 60mm, but having tinkered with a friends 105mm I like it a lot.

[Linda K]

have just got the Nikkor 85 1.4G, and love it so much, it and my new Canon 70-200 II are my 2 new best lenses!!!! (and got them online from DWI, absolutely no problems and can highly recommend them)

[DMA]

I did look at US stores...I understand that if it is under 800...duty isnt paid at border ...but not 100% sure. Nikkor 105mm 2.8.( Depending on price I was thinking of upgrading my 70-200mm for the 70-300mm vrII.) Was quoted $2300 for both in a walk in store. Primarily though I really want to 105mm....I thought about the 60mm, but having tinkered with a friends 105mm I like it a lot.

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty.

I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback.

Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1

Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/

Good luck :D

Edited December 1, 2010 by DMA

[mish13]

I did look at US stores...I understand that if it is under 800...duty isnt paid at border ...but not 100% sure. Nikkor 105mm 2.8.( Depending on price I was thinking of upgrading my 70-200mm for the 70-300mm vrII.) Was quoted $2300 for both in a walk in store. Primarily though I really want to 105mm....I thought about the 60mm, but having tinkered with a friends 105mm I like it a lot.

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty.

I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback.

Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1

Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/

Good luck

I just brought a lens for around $1500 out of Hong Kong (would have to check web site name) and didn't pay any duty?

They had the best tracking site, I could check up all the way along and it would show me up to date details where my lens was.

[DMA]

I did look at US stores...I understand that if it is under 800...duty isnt paid at border ...but not 100% sure. Nikkor 105mm 2.8.( Depending on price I was thinking of upgrading my 70-200mm for the 70-300mm vrII.) Was quoted $2300 for both in a walk in store. Primarily though I really want to 105mm....I thought about the 60mm, but having tinkered with a friends 105mm I like it a lot.

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty.

I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback.

Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1

Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/

Good luck

I just brought a lens for around $1500 out of Hong Kong (would have to check web site name) and didn't pay any duty?

They had the best tracking site, I could check up all the way along and it would show me up to date details where my lens was.

sheesh keep it quiet. You're lucky. The shop probably didn't place the full amount on the customs declaration Either that or someone at AU customs didn't check it, which wouldn't surprise me, as they only check about 10% of items (well they used to several years ago).

Here's the link to the AU Customs website dealing with importing items via the post, ie from places like eBay: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5653.asp

[mish13]

I did look at US stores...I understand that if it is under 800...duty isnt paid at border ...but not 100% sure. Nikkor 105mm 2.8.( Depending on price I was thinking of upgrading my 70-200mm for the 70-300mm vrII.) Was quoted $2300 for both in a walk in store. Primarily though I really want to 105mm....I thought about the 60mm, but having tinkered with a friends 105mm I like it a lot.

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty.

I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback.

Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1

Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/

Good luck

I just brought a lens for around $1500 out of Hong Kong (would have to check web site name) and didn't pay any duty?

They had the best tracking site, I could check up all the way along and it would show me up to date details where my lens was.

sheesh keep it quiet. You're lucky. The shop probably didn't place the full amount on the customs declaration Either that or someone at AU customs didn't check it, which wouldn't surprise me, as they only check about 10% of items (well they used to several years ago).

Here's the link to the AU Customs website dealing with importing items via the post, ie from places like eBay: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5653.asp

Thanks for the tip, but you just reminded me I had to email them to send me the correct invoice because the one that came with the camera was a lesser amount. Now I know why

[DMA]

Thanks for the tip, but you just reminded me I had to email them to send me the correct invoice because the one that came with the camera was a lesser amount. Now I know why

Ah you see

It wasn't an eBay shop called chinaarts by any chance? I've bought from them in the past, a Sigma lens & an Olympus extension tube, & they did the same thing with the invoice (although both were well under the $1 000 mark so it didn't matter).

[redangel]

Gee looks like Ive been sourcing in the wrong place! Thank you all for your info & links. I have found an online store called digital rev...has anyone purchased from them?

[DMA]

Gee looks like Ive been sourcing in the wrong place! Thank you all for your info & links. I have found an online store called digital rev...has anyone purchased from them?

There's another thread asking the same question. Here's the link: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=207222

Beware that they import their stuff directly from Hong Kong even though they have a "shop" in Melbourne. So the business about AU customs hitting you with duties, if the item is worth more than $1 000, still applies.

[mish13]

Thanks for the tip, but you just reminded me I had to email them to send me the correct invoice because the one that came with the camera was a lesser amount. Now I know why

Ah you see :D

It wasn't an eBay shop called chinaarts by any chance? I've bought from them in the past, a Sigma lens & an Olympus extension tube, & they did the same thing with the invoice (although both were well under the $1 000 mark so it didn't matter).

It was from Digital World International, and the item was over $1500. I would highly recommend them and don't have a problem with items coming from Hong Kong. The service is so quick and the tracking system second to none, I could check constantly and know where my parcel was.

Unlike Australia post who I have just sent a parcel to Canada with and the tracking still says parcel was sent from post office. As if I didnt know that I want to know where it is now two weeks later.

Edited December 1, 2010 by mish13

[DMA]

Thanks for the tip, but you just reminded me I had to email them to send me the correct invoice because the one that came with the camera was a lesser amount. Now I know why :D

Ah you see

It wasn't an eBay shop called chinaarts by any chance? I've bought from them in the past, a Sigma lens & an Olympus extension tube, & they did the same thing with the invoice (although both were well under the $1 000 mark so it didn't matter).

It was from Digital World International, and the item was over $1500. I would highly recommend them and don't have a problem with items coming from Hong Kong. The service is so quick and the tracking system second to none, I could check constantly and know where my parcel was.

Unlike Australia post who I have just sent a parcel to Canada with and the tracking still says parcel was sent from post office. As if I didnt know that I want to know where it is now two weeks later.

Oh DWI? Yeah I've heard of them. They sell a lot on eBay. Good reputation. It's just they don't have much Olympus gear so I've never bought from them.

As for Australia Post... well you said it

[~*Shell*~]

I have bought from both DWI and Digitalrev - was pretty happy with both. It did take digitalrev a week to send my items though - i got them express through DHL so I thought them not having them sent to me for a week was a bit strange. I did buy a lot of things though so maybe they were waiting on something that wasn't in stock?

DWI was good too - the items arrived without a problem though their postage was a whole lot more than a lot of other places.