Anyone used Onestop-Digital? Lens purchase...

[havoc]

They're about £50 (20%) cheaper than any UK retailer for a lens I'm looking at, but they're HK not UK (although they do say they'll refund any VAT/duty incurred if claimed within 60 days of shipping).

So I was wondering if it was worthwhile. Also wondering what the warranty situation is with a Tamron lens purchased outside of the EU?

Cheers,

Martin.

[VxDuncan]

Yup, bought a couple of lenses from them. Good service, quick to reply to emails and cheap. Never had to pay tax on anything from hong kong (four or five lenses) so don't know about that part. Bought my Tamron 17-50 F2.8 from Onestop, good sharp lens, crap build quality. It broke after a few months of lightuse - you may need that warranty.

Only negative I have about one stop is the packaging - they only warp the lens retail boxes in a couple of layers of green parcel paper, so the boxes do arrive a little crumpled on the corners. However the retail packages tend to be quite good at protecting the contents, so I wouldn't worry to much. Will quite happily use them again though.

[havoc]

VxDuncan said:

Bought my Tamron 17-50 F2.8 from Onestop, good sharp lens, crap build quality. It broke after a few months of lightuse - you may need that warranty.

Ah...exactly the lens I was looking at!

I HAD decided the Canon 17-85IS had too many mixed reviews and didn't have a wide-enough aperture really, and the consistent 2.8 and slightly better optics on the Tamron were worth it over the Sigma 18-70. I take it you're not so sure...

[350Wedge]

I've used them previously too for a fairly high value canon lens. Service was good and didnt get stung for tax either. Will be going to them soon to get a couple of teleconverters!!

Also do a good points scheme wich can be used for savings on future purchases from them.

[VxDuncan]

havoc said:

VxDuncan said:

Bought my Tamron 17-50 F2.8 from Onestop, good sharp lens, crap build quality. It broke after a few months of lightuse - you may need that warranty.

Ah...exactly the lens I was looking at!

I HAD decided the Canon 17-85IS had too many mixed reviews and didn't have a wide-enough aperture really, and the consistent 2.8 and slightly better optics on the Tamron were worth it over the Sigma 18-70. I take it you're not so sure...

It is great optically, on a par with a cheap 50mm prime for sharpness. For what's supposed to be a "pro" lens it's very flimsy. The zoom action very light and the moldings cheap. No way on a par with the sigma EX lenses for build. The front element came loose on mine, not sure how/when it happened - possibly when the (well padded) camera bag rolled off the sofa onto the floor.

Personally would go for the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 (constant) EX.