Buying kit in the USA?

[Gizmo!]

Quick one - a friend of mine's in New York this week and I wondered if it was worth getting him to pick up a lens for me? (Canon 100mm macro f2.8).

Is it liable to be cheaper than some shopping-around here? Any good shops to recommend? Thx...

[Diabolik]

url=http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Lens-Cameras/dp/B00004XOM3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-100mm-2-8-Macro-Lens...

Not sure what the exchange rates are at the mo.

Also, is warranty important to you?

[gmilton]

B&H photo or Adorama, both of the stores are huge!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/NYSupe...
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=adorama_insi...

Hope this helps

[CVP]

B&H Photo is the daddy, 34th Street and 8th Avenue. Not open Saturday. Huge, I could spend a whole day in there. J&R is the other very reputable one - down near City Hall

Pretty much all other NYC camera shops you have to count your fingers when you come out, be careful. There are a limited number of exceptions to this rule but it's a good basis to operate from

Not sure on US v UK prices but factor in US sales atxes at approx 8.5% on purchases in NYC

I don;t know if Canon warranty is world wide or not - worth checking if this is important to you

[Gizmo!]

Thanks... I shall have a look at those...

[tog]

It may have changed, but while digital cameras used to be zero-rated for import duty, lenses attracted duty (as well as VAT obviously).

[Beardy10]

CVP said:

B&H Photo is the daddy, 34th Street and 8th Avenue. Not open Saturday. Huge, I could spend a whole day in there. J&R is the other very reputable one - down near City Hall

This man speaks the truth! If there is a better shop in the world than B&H I'd be surprised....it really is amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmN6pBEfSIQ

It's shut on Friday Night and Saturday's because it's run/owned by Orthodox Jews.

[CVP]

B&H is also closed for most Jewish holidays so for all those thinking of spending your cash here it's best to check on their website before you come. Not so many holidays earlier in the year but quite a few over the summer time.

It really is an ace shop. Most of the kit you can play with before parting with your hard earned, even a quick drool over a Leica M9 and no-one bats an eyelid. If Sir wants to see how a 600f4 handles on a D3x just wait in line and it's highly likely they will have a demo example you can have a play with there and then.

The one section of the shop that puzzles me is the telescope section. Tons and tons of kit but how many folks in NYC could use a telescope? The light pollution is awful.

Could it be for looking in the windows of other apartment blocks

[Beardy10]

CVP said:

The one section of the shop that puzzles me is the telescope section. Tons and tons of kit but how many folks in NYC could use a telescope? The light pollution is awful.

Could it be for looking in the windows of other apartment blocks

That and all the broadcast camera gear they have at the side ? I mean how often does someone go shopping to fit out a TV studio ?

But yes I bet tons of voyeurs.......

[Simpo Two]

I reckon the broadcsat gear is for home movie folk with too much money, and the telescopes are for SUV trips to the Rockies :wistfulsigh:

[LongQ]

Gizmo! said:

Quick one - a friend of mine's in New York this week and I wondered if it was worth getting him to pick up a lens for me? (Canon 100mm macro f2.8).

Is it liable to be cheaper than some shopping-around here? Any good shops to recommend? Thx...

Best UK price I have seen for a new one is £639 so that sets a target I guess. Landed - duty and tax paid.

That's the L version with IS.

£379 for the non-L version without IS.

Edited by LongQ on Wednesday 2nd February 22:38