Buying an SLR in the US?

Barack Obama

Hi guys & gals

I'm taking the plunge into a 'proper' camera and I'm going to be visiting the US before Christmas. Needless to say, they are a whole lot cheaper over there. I'm borrowing a mates Nikon D40x for a while first to give myself an introduction so hopefully this will not be something I buy and leave unused in a drawer.

I was looking in Dublin today at a Canon Eos1000D and it was €699. I tried to find the equivalent in the US but the seem to use different model numbers - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0401005&type=category.

The Canon Eos Digital Rebel XS looks good at $600 (€461). Is this the equivalent model? Are there any problems using a camera purchased in the US over here?

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

quilmore

check jessops and calumet in belfast
what we could see was the same as in BH when you include their VAT (that's even before considering what customs would charge you on your way back)
no brainer for me

bogman

With a name like that reckon they will give you one for free


Good luck with your trip

Barack Obama

Thanks guys. Not too concerned about customs. coming in on a military jet

LeoB

The cameras work fine. I would go for 40d if I were in U.S. Try www,aorama.com if you are in New York. 2 friends of mine bought stuff there and found them very good.:) Customs are fair and not really interested in someone buying a camera for personal use its more "big" or people who push the boat out and bring home cases of goods. I know one guy who posted home the box he got his kit in and just kept the manual with him. Enjoy trip.

CabanSail

Be careful, Camera's bought in the US are not very good at taking Ironic Images.

RichyX

The dollar is so strong against the euro that it's hardly worth buying in the US.

Barack Obama

RichyX wrote: »

The dollar is so strong against the euro that it's hardly worth buying in the US.

LeoB

Quote The dollar is so strong against the euro that it's hardly worth buying in the US.
Just done a quick search of popular camera shops and Richy X I think you are a little off the radar. The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 costs €1,000 to 1,200 in Ireland. Just under £700 in U.K which is €850approx and $789 to 799 in U.S which is approx €625. As stated in previous thread by many posters this sickens me to see us being ripped off. With the way tings are at the moment more people will be able to afford the prices in Irish shops and will get someone to bring lens home for them. Dont know about you but I know where I wont be buying it. The dollar will need to move quite a bit yet before its not worth the hassle.

RichyX

LeoB wrote: »

Quote The dollar is so strong against the euro that it's hardly worth buying in the US.
Just done a quick search of popular camera shops and Richy X I think you are a little off the radar. The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 costs €1,000 to 1,200 in Ireland. Just under £700 in U.K which is €850approx and $789 to 799 in U.S which is approx €625. As stated in previous thread by many posters this sickens me to see us being ripped off. With the way tings are at the moment more people will be able to afford the prices in Irish shops and will get someone to bring lens home for them. Dont know about you but I know where I wont be buying it. The dollar will need to move quite a bit yet before its not worth the hassle.

Don't forget about sales tax. That isn't generally included in the prices.
It's 8% in NY for example, plus there's the potential problems of returns if there are any issues with the equipment.

Personally I don't think it's worth going mad and buying loads of stuff in the US. Maybe when it was $1.50 to the €, but not so much now.
A Pentax K20D is almost exactly the same price when bought from the UK as it is from the US, before tax.

Victor

Barack Obama wrote: »

Thanks guys. Not too concerned about customs. coming in on a military jet

You realise that in British Army terms an SLR is a Self Loading Rifle? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-loading_rifle

Thirdfox

Barack Obama wrote: »

Thanks guys. Not too concerned about customs. coming in on a military jet

You don't get to use Airforce 1 yet!

Barack Obama

Victor wrote: »

You realise that in British Army terms an SLR is a Self Loading Rifle? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-loading_rifle

good luck getting one of them past customs

justtim

I definately wouldn't buy in Ireland, I'm thinking of buying a Nikon D60 with the 18-55 VR lense it comes with and then just a sigma 55-200 lense which will do me for know with it being just a hobby.
My sister just bought a DSLR form Jessops in England and so had a look to compare and for this pakage one shop in Dublin had it for 829 euro and another 969 compare this to Jessops at 400 pounds which with the current exchange rates is only 473 Euro .
So either a drive up to Belfast (I haven't been before so is an option for me to see the place) or they will deliver for 9 pounds.
Whatever I do I won't be buying here!

whyulittle

Jessops have a store in Newry too, just over the border, save going all the way to Belfast. I found driving on the A1 to be an experience. :eek:

I couldn't order through Jessops website. Was told when I got to the store that it was a postcode problem, and that they don't deliver down here, although didn't really believe the reason she gave me.

justtim

I registered on the Jessops site to see if they'd deliver and got to the stage just before you enter your card details and it updated shipping cost and everything for ireland, so just presumed it'd work.
Luckily for me I have family in England so i'll be over there at Xmas so will be able to pick one up then if all else fails.:D

CabanSail

I bought my D300 from Jessops & they delivered to Dublin.

whyulittle

Fair enough. My experience was that it let me register, but when I went to pay, it said my billing address wasn't matching up with what my CC had on file. After three attempts to change it, it stopped letting me. When I told them about it in store, they said it was a postcode problem.

Then they didn't have what I wanted in store, so I asked could I pay for it there and then, and let them order for it me and deliver it to my home, and was told no because they needed two drivers licence and a courier's licence to deliver down south. :rolleyes:

RichyX

With the value of the pound vs. the euro and the £100 cash back offer Pentax have, I'm probably gonna get myself a nice new K20D