Looking to buy a Canon 5D Mark II pretty soon, and just wondering where I should buy?
Cheapest is http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/p_58040_Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_I… but that's grey import.
Anyone know someone who would give me a good deal on with an official Canon warranty? Otherwise who has the best price?
I'd appreciate opinions from anyone who's done the grey import thing before - how much of a risk am I taking?
Many thanks!
Thanks for mentioning that. I have used DD before too. For a Canon G11 (a year old now) and there have been no problems.
I boguht a grey import top of the range Panasonic Video camera, had it for 5 years and only recently sold it to get a new HD 1080P camera and it never ever skipped a beat. Id recommend getting from companies like dd as well
On reflection, I think the most important issue with grey importers is knowing people who can personally vouch for them. I wasn't comfortable buying from them until a friend whose advice I respect recommended them from his own dealings. Therefore, while I happily buy from DD now, I would still be wary of other importers.
Actually I've changed my tune. Looking at the 7D and DWI has it for $1510 (inc shipping). The consensus at WP is generally good.
I still have to look at cards etc and maybe accessories, but I'll keep to a budget for now.
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProd…
Unless you are doing sport etc, maybe look at the 5D. www.dpreview.com should keep you busy for a while.
I read the 7D has better focus and video and the Mark II tech is older, so my idea is to get the 7D, see how I go then re-evaluate when the Mark III gets released.
Full frame would be nice, but I think I can hold out.
And WP people say customs will get with orders over 1K, so that might mean DWI again, unless there area any better prices locally…
D-d photographic is a legit grey importer. They even have their own store so you can physically go into their shop and scream if you want to (wont recommend it though)
I dont know how they deal with warranty issues send it to HK where the camera came from or they pay canon service centre here for repair.
There is a change that you will get hit with import duty if you buy from shoppingsquare.
The price that dd charges is about that including import duty.
You are buying a canon. I will recommend that you take the option with least hassle for you warranty wise.
Yes 7D has better focus as its got 19 AF points! I would wait for 5D Mark III too and consider 7D in the meantime.
I bought my 7D from DWI and had no custom issue.
There is a CHANCE of custom issues. do factor that into
(just notice the typo in my post)
Well, I've changed my mind again.
Got the camera from Ryda this morning. Checked with DD and they wouldn't have stock till Fri and Ryda was only $100 more and has an official Canon warranty!
So of course being impulsive, I've now got a camera, and am minus $1,898
(And if you tell me, after all this that I could've gotten a better deal, I'll shoot you)
YOu could've gotten a better deal at DD. nyaa nyaa nyaa! :P
I got a Canon warranty though :)
I bought a grey import Nikon D80 about three years ago from www.d-d-photographics.com.au and had absolutely no trouble. The manufacturer's warranty is only one year, and they appear to offer a warranty of their own now (when I bought it was just caveat emptor).
Granted the 5D Mk II is a much higher end model than the humble D80 was, but D D Photographics have been around for many years now and aren't going anywhere. I would do a bit of a search to see whether in people's general experience they have their warranty honoured, and if so take the plunge. It's just such an enormous saving over the Australian distributer prices.