Hanslow

Been speaking to a business colleague today who is often over here on business in the UK. He is currently resident in the states and I jokingly asked about whether he could pick up a DSLR over there and bring it over here for me next time he is over. His anwser, 'Sure, let me know what you want'. This only came up because he's a gadget freak and was shocked that the numbers in the price over here are the same as over in the states, obviously making it a hell of a lot cheaper in the states based on currency rates.

So, got me thinking, what are the downsides to doing this? I assume that the warranty is an issue given what I have read previously. If he's bringing it into the country or posts it as a gift, are there any customs/vat issues?

It would probably mean I would get off the fence pondering buying a D70 or a 300D, and go for a 20D So you can see why it seems so attractive, so what are the pitfalls and should I do it?

lightning101

Duty, Warranty etc etc.


Buy it from hong kong if you want a really big discount and get it sent in christmas wrapping paper - marked present (allegedly).

IWatkins

Warrenty *is* an issue. It won't be covered in the UK and if you have problems it will have to be returned to the USA, to the store in question, to be repaired. Or you could just ignore that and if you do have problems just get someone like Fixation in the UK to fix it. Hell, you'll save enough cash to put aside in case you have problems.

All Canon lenses on the other hand come with Worldwide warrenties, so there are no problems there. (certainly true of the two I've had from the USA).

If he comes back quite often, get him to bring the body back as a gift to one of his family members (if he gets nabbed for Duty). And next time he comes back get him to start bringing over the lenses you want

Cheers

Ian

Hanslow

Thanks Ian. Sorry lightning, Ian's info was better Hong kong was out as although we have offices there as well, they don't come and visit and I'd like to use someone I know so that I know it can be brought over in safety

I'll probably look at sourcing the body in the UK then and try and get a good price on that, and then see about getting lenses state-side

pslewis

Hanslow - the 300D can be had for £479 WITH lens now

I doubt its worth the hassle - just pop down to jessops and fill yer boots!!

Pete

Hanslow

I'll think about it

Might wander down there tomorrow as I'll be in town to celebrate a mate getting a new job and me and the missus off to see WASP in the evening

There's a Jessops nearby so will do some trawling of the web to find best UK price deals to go armed with some Ammo. Would prefer a black one though to a tacky silver one

lightning101

I feckin love my 300d - and just sent off for the free 256mb compactflash and £100 cashback.


Just need a huge stabilised lens now to make up for my small *****.


Oh and am away to take advantage of the epson 4000 A2 glossy print offer, using works address, mates address, my address and grans, mothers and fathers etc.

lightning101

Oh sorry - I mean I love my newly upgraded silver plastic 10d

pslewis

It is, without doubt, a superb camera and at the price its in a league of its own.

One thing I find funny ..... in the users manual, Canon say how important it is to use only Canon equipment, if you use anything other than a Canon CF Card the world might end!

THEN, what do they send as the free 256Mb CF Card?? A SANDISK !!?? PMSL!

Pete

Hanslow

Certainly seems value for money on the 300D. Getting one of them would allow me to get better lenses which is where the money really should be spent I guess. I could always upgrade at a later date when the 20Ds replacement comes out (probably in about 2 months )

Lightning, I'm sure you do love your camera, I'm just a man who prefers the darkness

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Canon's own cards are made by Sandisk.

darlodge

There is no duty on Digita cameras. Digital Cameras are exempt for some reason.

However as Ian said, warranty is a major factor. Also, if customs catch you They will charge you.

I've your colleague is a resident of the US, get him to use the huge rebate Canon US are currently offering. See here and this pdf

$100 off a Digital Rebel without any lenses, upto $300 if you buy 2 other items on the PDF. I was hoping Canon UK were going to do a simlar rebate but I'm not so sure

Darren

Daryl

Darren is right - although digital cameras are not exempt from duty, it just happens that the duty rate is 0% at the moment. VAT is still due on the purchase price though, assuming he declares it!

If he was to get caught by Customs, then claiming that 'it's a gift' or anything else won't work. Trying it on after you've been caught is a sure way to end up paying an additional penalty!

Don't want to put you off though, £900 for a 20D has got to be good!

If you want any more advice send me a PM

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Won't you have to buy a UK charger too, if you get an import?

Alcazar

TopBanana

Ask him to bring some lenses over!

ScoobyDriverWannabe

a friend off mine spent quite a bit money on a nice song laptop from hong kong last xmas when he was over visiting family

The lap top has now packed up and nothing he can do with it. Sony say becasue it was baught in hong kong the warrentry is with sony asia so iff he wants repaired hell have too send it bk too hong kong which will cost a fortune

Daryl

No, they are multi-voltage - just need an adaptor plug or shaver socket

lightning101

The 300d comes with both leads - are they not all like that ?

christianfurse

Just get the 20D. Saw some 20"x16" prints off one today. Awsome quality. Build quality is super good too, focusing, near perfect. (was with 28-135mm usm is Canon lens though......)

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Just wait until you try the 'L' series lenses then Your bank manager may never forgive you, but you'll take lovely photos! (My 28-135IS has been languishing in a cupboard since I bought the 24-70 f/2.8 L...)

Daryl

Agree with Andy re: 28-135 IS - took some comparison shots with my other lenses and it's disappointingly soft. It doesn't really make the most of the 20D, which is a shame as it has such a good range

IWatkins

28-135 IS is a great walk around lens as it has a good range. It is perfect for famility/friends parties, that sort of thing where the images are just going to end up on an online gallery, i.e. you know the shots are not going to be important enough to print.

Yes, it is a little soft but this isn't an issue if used for the above sort of stuff.

My current favorite lens is my 50mm f1.4 or the 100-400 IS (which I like a lot).

Cheers

Ian

pslewis

Looked at the Canon 75-300mm lens today, at £150 its a tempting offer!

Pete

lightning101

Where abouts pete ? Could fancy one of the perv lenses myself.

corradoboy

Surely the septic could bring his own personal 300D for his own personal use in the UK and then forget to take it home with him Post the empty packaging to the UK a week or 2 before or after with a zero worth declared.

pslewis

Link Cameras, Jessops do the 75-300mm USM III for £170 (seems good?)

300mm equates to 480mm on the 300D Thats a hell of a zoom!! can it be hand held?

Pete

TopBanana

Rule of thumb is 1/focal length - i.e. one five hundredth of a sec for max zoom, although I'd use at 1/1000 probably.

Daryl

This was taken handheld with a 75-300, so I guess the answer is yes

mad_dr

They all use the figure-of-8 type power cable so just use the one from your Playstation/DVD player/most other bits of electrical equipment...

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Me got 20D for me birthday - well chuffed



Bugger is that I sold my L series 100/350 18 months ago

But hey, gives me a chance to go buy another