I am looking at buying a 70-200 prime lens, As any of our members dealt with D-D photography in Sydney I know that they are known for grey imports there price is $1535.00 + post, Digital camera warehouse Membourne $1679.00 which I can pick up.
Pat.
I am looking at buying a 70-200 prime lens, As any of our members dealt with D-D photography in Sydney I know that they are known for grey imports there price is $1535.00 + post, Digital camera warehouse Membourne $1679.00 which I can pick up.
Pat.
A Photo is only as good as the eyes that look at.
Camera Canon 30D 7D
Lens Canon 100 f2.8, 400L is f/4 Sigma 70-200 pro os
A 70-200mm lens is a zoom, not a prime. :-)
Discount Digital Photographics is very reputable. Much of my gear was purchased from DDP, and I'd have no hesitation in recommending it.
Yes, the lenses DDP sells are 'grey' (ie, parallel imports), which is why they are less expensive. However, Canon L lenses include international warranties.
Which 70-200 are you looking at?
Canon currently have 4 different 70-200 L zooms in their range.
Mark
Canon 70D w/Grip l Canon 60D w/Grip l EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS USM l EF 70-200 f4L IS USM l EF-S 15-85 f3.5-5.6 IS USM l EF 100 f2.8 USM Macro l EF-S 18-55 f3.5-5.6 IS STM l EF 50 f1.8 II l Canon EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 USM l 430 EX II Flash l Rode Stereo VideoMic l Manfrotto 055XPROB + 498RC2 Tripod l Benro MP-96 M8 Monopod l Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack l Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW Backpack l PS CS5 Extended l Lightroom 4.3
Which 70-200 are you looking at?
Canon currently have 4 different 70-200 L zooms in their range.
For a total difference of around $150.00, I'd buy the one with Australian warranty myself.
At least you are supporting a local shop front, where you can go and try the lens on to see how it feels and look through the viewfinder and get advice, to say nothing about the Australian warranty.
I've certainly bought a few grey-market lenses, but when the price of the grey-market lens is within 10% of the cost of a locally sourced one, I'll buy the Aussie backed one every time.
If you're scratching to get the lens, there are cheaper grey importers out there.
All my photos are taken with recycled pixels.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom, is knowing not to serve it in a fruit salad.
Canon L lenses have international warranties.
I see no logic in spending an extra $150 for something you already have.
Discount Digital Photographics is an Australian business, and has a shopfronts in North Sydney. It also used to have one in Fortitude Valley (Brisbane).
As stated, the lens is already covered by an international warranty.
Unnecessarily spending extra money to cover someone's retail overheads is entirely a matter of choice.
Last edited by Xenedis; 19-07-2011 at 3:05pm.
DDP Brisbane closed last month.
ah true... forgot about that. thanks mate
Thanks guys for all your input all good information,
Have you ever tried to take a grey-market L lens into Canon for their "International Warranty" lately?
They'll tell you to take it back to where you bought it from if you want it fixed under warranty, and then you can wait for weeks as the lens is returned to its country of origin etc.
Years ago, they would honour the International Warranty, but today......................................................
If you do get hit for GST, then between the GST and freight, it may actually be cheaper in the long run to buy it locally.
As I said, I have bought a lot of stuff grey-market, but if their isn't much difference in the cost, I'll buy locally.
I have seven L-series lenses and two Canon tele-converters, the most pricey lens of which is my 300/2.8L IS, and the biggest saving of which was had by buying that lens from DDP rather than a B&M where it would have cost $1-2K more.
I have never had one fail, and they are well and truly out of warranty now. (I note that a warranty lasts 12 months from the date of purchase, so if it fails the day after the warranty period expires, you're out in the cold.)
I don't for one minute regret opting to pay a cheaper price rather than unnecessarily fork out enough money to fund one or two more lenses, for a warranty I would be unlikely to ever need.
At the end of the day, it's a matter of personal choice, and in my case, it didn't make sense, nor was desirable, to over-spend.
Postage to or from HK is about 3 days. The wait for service/repair is about the same. Canon Aus. are not reknown for there fast service times, but they are certainly thorough. Probably little difference between any service centre. Some overseas sites have Aust. service centres which use one of the local "non authorised" service centres. I like to save money where possible and support aussie business too but up to a point!!! Everyone has to live and eat including people overseas. Just my thoughts.....cheers Brian
howdy pat...
have you considered the new sigma 70-200 2.8 ?? optical stabilisers also.
can buy brand new for under 1000 dollars
have heard good reviews from pro shooters
Canon lenses do not ship with international warranties since August 2010. So if you buy one now, it will not come with the green international warranty card unless it's really old stock.
My recommendation is to buy the MACK diamond warranty. Extends your warranty to 3 years international. Will be honoured by Canon worldwide. Will cost the same or a little more than a local set with the added benefit of international 3 year warranty including water damage.
Last edited by KeeFy; 25-07-2011 at 9:32pm.