B&H Photo

paudie

Any of you guys buy from them. I'm sorely tempted to try despite the possibility of getting caught for import duty. They're even cheaper than ebay on some items.

Just wondering what are peoples experience of shopping with them?

Cheers

dazftw

I wouldnt be sure as I have never bought anything from them, but from what I have seen on other websites and forums(including here) about buying from there you only save money on expensive items...

paudie

yeah I'm looking at a 400mm L lens

leinsterman

I have used them ... but not over the internet.

Most people rate them highly.

The shop itself in New York is a tourist attraction of its own right, huge place ... it is run by Hacidic Jews (the guys with the hats and the ringlets) ... very religious, they even close their web site on the sabbath or fesitval times (this can be as much as two weeks) .. they really know their stuff ... their sales style is no bulls**t ... and they are honest (unlike most other sites) about grey market goods at least ... you can choose either USA warranty or grey market ... if you buy grey then the warranty is a store warranty which I believe they are good to honour ... bear in mind the USA warranty is not valid outside the USA (at least with Canon ... who love to rip people off).

In conclusion I'd recommend them.

If you are worried about paying duty the go to www.ac-foto.com ... I bought some gear from these guys they are reliable and cheap for Europe ... Germany seems to be the cheapest in the EU for Canon and Sigma at least ... they can be nearly as cheap as BH ... which is good given the risk. If you are buying Nikon then go to Gunns of Wexford St in Dublin, they offer very good deals, close to German prices.

Roen

I'm looking at the 300mm f4 L IS as my next purchase and when I do get it I'll definitely be going through one of the Hong Kong eBay dealers. You'll find them in the sicky above.
The price difference is not that huge, as in $1150 with BHphoto compared with €1038 via Hong Kong. I know the exchange rate makes it look a lot more tempting from the States, however, and this is only my opinion, you will be more likely to be hit with a tax and VAT bill if you go with an American supplier than if you go with a Hong Kong one.
It's a bullet I've dodged so far!

paudie

Acfoto don't seem to have the lens. It's the f5.6 I'm looking for (as I don't yet have €5000 to spend on a lens).

I reckon I might just buy from ebay, I bought on there before and Canon honoured the warranty I got with my camera. I don't think I'd like to be sending a lens back to the states to be fixed.

Still, the €1200 it'll cost me on ebay is a lot better than the €1700-1800 I was quoted in all the Dublin shops.

Fajitas!

I find A.C foto quite expensive for Sigma lenses... Usually 150 quid moreso than others...

paudie

Cheers guys, appreciate the feedback.

edunon

I've bought in B&H my old Canon 300D, a Canon 24-70 2.8L, a Canon 70-200 2.8L IS, a Canon Speedlight 550EX, a Canon 85 1.8 a lots of accesories. Canon lens ALWAYS come with international warranty, cameras only american. With Delta you can get a flight for just over 300 euro, worth to go there if you are buying lenses, specially L ones.

paudie

Yeah I was thinking about doing that. But I think it'd work out the same as getting a lens from ebay, although. I'd trust B&H a lot more than ebay.

heffsarmy

paudie theres a guy on the http://photography-on-the.net/ website his name is 'kerso' he has an ebay shop, I got a few items off him and got great deals, most of the gear comes in from America and he sells them through Scotland, he sells some with full international warranty. here are some of the prices I was quoted, canon 24-70mm f2.8 is 729GBP, canon 16-35 f2.8, canon 400m f5.6 745GBP, these include shipping. Send him an email as he will give you a better price.