Where do you buy your Photo'g stuff?
Submitted by Adam Gallash on Sun, 2009-09-13 10:37
Just wondering where everyone buys their camera equipment, from the one off buys to continually adding bits and pieces.
Is the internet the best, big retail, specialist stores and for you is the price the most important thing, knowledge and service or finding the piece of equipment you require or a combination of all?
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Sekans
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 31/01/08
For internet buys
For internet buys DigitalRev, I've purchased two lenses and some other acc. from them. Always fast delivery and good service.
For local, I usually buy from Pra Imaging. Good shop, good service and reasonable prices.
Generally locally prices will be much higher than internet shops, so it depends whether you want to spend more and probably get better knowledge and advice, or spend less and not get the advice. Personally being a poor uni student, I choose the spend less option! :D
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
digital rev digital camera
digital rev
digital camera warehouse
ebay
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
Gerry Gibbs Camera
Gerry Gibbs Camera House
ebay
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
camera recommendations
Anyone got any recommendations, got $1200-1500 to spend in the very near future and looking to get into the DSLR scene, prob won't be able to get a good lens with the body for that (maybe down the track) - but something that can take pics at a bit of distance (ie billy jumping near boat) would be great.
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HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
nice Adam.......
Was about to ask the same thing!
And scarily, my buget is about the same! I have no lenses, no real want for a particular brand but I'm leaning towards say a Canon EOS500D / Nikon 5000D / Sony Alpha A550. I have no idea what lenses I'll need, shots will mainly be fish in the boat and as Adam alluded to action shots in the water out the back of the boat.
Or any thoughts on the micro four thirds that are about?
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
i would buy for that buget a
i would buy for that buget a 500d and a tamron 18-270 VC (equiv to canons image stabiliser IS), the 50d (replaced the 40d) would be better but your looking at about 1400 just for a body
500d body
and lense
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Tamron-AF-18-270mm-f-3-5-6-3-VC-Di-II-Lens-f3-5-6-3-NEW_W0QQitemZ370255500537QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories?hash=item5634f294f9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Canon-DSLR-EOS-500D-Body-4GB-SD-6Gifts-AU_W0QQitemZ140343943370QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Digital_Cameras?hash=item20ad26a0ca&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Found a package but better off buying individual to keep each item under 1000 that way avoid import duty
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Canon-EOS-500D-Tamron-18-270-mm-VC-8GB-SDHC-Ex-Battery_W0QQitemZ200380549163QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Digital_Cameras?hash=item2ea79c882b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Mick
Posts: 501
Date Joined: 28/08/06
G'day guys Ad's and Huggy, I
G'day guys
Ad's and Huggy, I just got myself a Nikon D5000 as my first foray into DSLR and I couldn't recommend it more highly. Very easy to use. The twin lense kit comes with a 18-55mm VR and a 55-200mm VR lense. the majority of shots I've used it for has been surf shots here in Kalbarri at Jakes and with the 55-200 you can get a reasonable close up shot. I think Camera House had them out for $1595 just recently. They also shoot HD video, 12.5mp, large lcd screen which rotates thru 270'. Here's a photo of a whale jumping out the back of Jakes this morning
If the lord did not mean for us to eat fish and game, he wouldn't have made them outta meat
The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. That's why so many people appear bright...until they speak.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Canon EOS 40D one of the
Canon EOS 40D one of the better camera's on the market, and within your price range
http://canon.com.au/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos40dbody.aspx
Think Tailor Marc has a 30D or 300D and i have the 40D
I dont know everything about this camera, but i have used it for a few months and cant knock it.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Agree with Bodie They are very good and very reliable and
there always seems to be someone that has them on special.
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kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
Pentax K7
The Pentax K7 is good value... weather sealed too !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFfaTkoUn4
Matching it up with a Pentax 18mm-250mm would be ideal in a boat.
Not sure on pricing, but should be between $1600-$2000
I know another member on here who just recently picked up a K7, with different lens option..
PM Ad's if you're keen and I'll check with the guys at Camera House and see what can be done..
cheers,
Paul
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
thanks
Thanks guys, will have a look into each one of those and see which is going to suit me best.
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GusG
Posts: 547
Date Joined: 07/04/08
Ads, I have a Nikon and I
Ads, I have a Nikon and I bought a Tamron 70-300 lens. It is only a cheapie to get me started but at $300 it is perfect. Takes shots that are plenty good enough - especially in high or well lit situations such as the back of a boat and is a pretty good comprimise to get you started. When you get serious you could upgrade to something better.
Also at that price you dont mind if you get a bit of fish crap on it or it gets knocked around a bit. Hell you could almost use it as a pacifier for when you get a dollie dancing all around the deck!
looking4mulloway
Posts: 101
Date Joined: 17/08/05
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/SL
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/SLR-Digital-Cameras/ci/6222/N/4294538181
Maybe worth a look
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
The Camera House in Leederville
Has a special on Nikon cameras at the moment Adam
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kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
just be careful if buying o/s
Just be careful if buying overseas....
If you have an issue with your equipment whilst in the warranty period it will not be accepted within Australia !
US warranty is not recognised within Australia.
Australian warranties are factored into the price of items purchased within Australia.
Unfortunately with the amount electronics in cameras (and also lenses) it pays to be on the cautious side with warranties.
B&H are probably one of the biggest photographic outlets in the world !!
They pretty much stock everything at bloody good prices...
The only thing that hurts with some items is the postage costs.
looking4mulloway
Posts: 101
Date Joined: 17/08/05
Just to add to the warranty
Just to add to the warranty side (B&H)if u buy extended warranty that covers international warranty not just USA or so i was told via live chat email of chat is here
You have been connected to Gabe M.
shane: hi
Gabe M: Hello Shane. My name
is Gabe. I see your question, "are the warranties covered in Australia?" and I
will be glad to assist you. Please give me a few moments to begin working on
your inquiry.
shane: im just curious as to if the warranty is valid in
australia
shane: ok ty
Gabe M: It would depend which item we're talking
about.
shane: slr cameras
Gabe M: They mostly have a U.S. warranty.
However, we're also selling an extended warranty that is
international.
shane: so to be warranty in aust we need to purchase extended
warranty
Gabe M: Yes. I could also transfer you to sales, where they could
explain it in a more in-depth fashion.
shane: thats fine to have an answer
can this conversation be emailed to me as referance?
Gabe M: Once we'd
finalize the chat, you will have that option available.
shane: ok ty had been
advised warranty not valid here if extended warranty option available that does
all should be fine
Gabe M: You're welcome!
shane: ty Gabe M
Gabe M: We
appreciate your business. Have a wonderful day!
shane: you also
Gabe M:
Thank you!
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Love your Avatar Kaney
Go Gilly - what a legend
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
oh Yeah !!
That was from the last ashes series in Aus when he belted the crap out of Old Blighty at the WACA. (2nd fastest Test century)
I was lucky to be shooting at the Prindiville end while he was batting... Had to dodge the occasional ball that afternoon !
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
praccy ball
Got a brand new practice ball signed by McGrath, Warne, Clarke, Symonds and Lee from that test as my ex used to work in the players pavillion and gave it to me as a b'day pressie. Be worth a few dollars one day I'd think. I was invited to go celebrate the ashes with the team afterwards but was already smashed as from another event, spewn!!
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Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Cool Hang onto that Ball Adam
It will be worth big bucks one day.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
Warranty !!!
Ok...
Asked the question about warranties to a mate who is the Managing Director of a large photographic retail outlet last night....
Here is his response........
The warranty on any electronic goods is valid in the country of purchase only.
Even if it does state an international warranty, as with some low end compacts, it is a nightmare to claim, as you have to claim the cost back from the office in the country of purchase.
Items bought in HK are only covered by warranty in HK.
The Extended Warranty is only valid in the country of purchase providing that item is a legitimate purchase in that region and not a grey import.
The Extended Warranty is also the responsibility of the Reseller of the warranty.
There is a worldwide warranty but again it is an after market warranty and the claim procedure is long and drawn out.
You pay the bill and they have the fun of claiming the money back, best of luck.
It does vary from manufacturere to manufacturer as some bluntly refuse to be of any help at all.
Sure you might save a few $$'s initially buying on the internet from O/S, but if something goes wrong, chances are THAT SAVING will quickly vanish and cost you more than if you originally purchased in Australia !!!!
By all means look for second hand items which don't have warranties on ebay and the like and even basic equipment.... you can and quite often will get a bargain.
Just don't think it prudent to spend big $$'s on new bodies and lenses and have warranty nightmares.
For the record, I purchased a top of the line digital about 5 years ago locally.
The body went in for repairs and reworks about 8 times !!
Luckily, the body was purchased locally and covered under Australian warranty.
In the end, it cost me nothing for servicing and the manufacturer ended up replacing the body out of good will with a newer model that had just been released !
Pete D
Posts: 1681
Date Joined: 07/06/07
Pentax K7
That would be me. Ta for your help too Paul.
Very impressive camera. Lots to learn though. Will give it a work out at Steep next week. Went for the 17-70 and 55-300.
Lots of choice out there Ads. Enjoy!
Cheers Pete
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
too many choices
Too many choices, wished they just had one option that was awesome and at a good price!
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kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
JB HIFI
Hey Adam,
JB Hifi generally have some good offers... and only charge $11 for postage anywhere in Aus.
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/photo/digital-cameras/slr/
The Canon 500d looks to be priced good.. $1693
15.1mp 18-55IS and 55-250IS lenses, HD video
Nikon D5000 12.4mp, 18-55VR and 55-200VR, HD video $1588