Camera Purchase (EOS 5D)

RazorIX

RazorIX

RazorIX

Associate
Joined
5 May 2006
Posts
13
Hi Guys,

I am seriously considering purchasing the Canon EOS 5D after being somewhat put off by the comments (not just on this forum) by the 'noise' problems that seem to afflict the Nikon D200 at higher ISO levels. Its a pretty dead cert that the 5D is now firmly within my sites and am now looking for a place to purchase this camera.

My question is, where would be the best place to source this camera - I am not overly keen to pay the full high street prices that read me - no competitors tout them out but on the other hand I am somewhat wary of going via ebay and these 'hong kong' importers (eg Dig Rev) as I can imagine warranty/vat/duty may be a problem irrespective of the claims that they make. So if anyone could recommend a good compromise that would be very much appreciated.

In addition to this I will be looking to do macro, odd landscape and general usage such as cars at show n shine events - so if anyone can recommend a good set of lens(es) for each particular application that would be great! Budget wise... not really bothered to be honest - dont want to be paying more than 600-800 quid per lens though.

Best regards,

Mark
 
I've got the 5D. its such a great camera.

Bought it direct from a HK seller - not the normal one on ebay - email [email protected] and ask him for a deal. No Vat charged. Go the 5D, batt grip, extra battery, 50 F1.8, hand strap, and a hoya CP filter for £1804 delivered!! (the 5D body on its own is £1999 on the highstreet!). Amazing service.

Also got the £200 cashback from Canon on top.

Nice lens setup for you could be 17-40L, 24-70L or 24-105L, 60mm Macro. Also get a flash (580EX or 550EX). Dont forget big memory cards...5D raw files can be as big as 18MB each.

Enjoy the camera.
 
Thanks for the advice - I will certainly send this guy an email. :)

I take it then that the best way forward is to import, I would have assumed there would be an issue with warranty problems?

Mark
 
Personally I would buy the Camera body from high street retailer because
1. easier to return
2. easier to change if there is any problem
3. insurance.

altough you can get insurance from 3rd party, I would pay just little more for better and quick service.

If you gonna speend nearly 2k, make it a safe purchase.

Edit: If you must get it online, I'm sure you can pick 1 up for £1600 in the UK (with £200 cashback)
 
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I see your point but if I obtain it from a high street retailer its not going to be near 2k - its going to be way past it. ;)

However, I am fairly sure there are reputable supply chains in the UK that are just as reliable as a high street retailer though only difference being I am not paying full retailer rates.

Don't get me wrong, I dont mind paying top money but I would rather extend the 'value' of the money I am paying by getting slightly more for the same amount that what I would from a high street retailer who is forced to sell at RRP.

Mark
 
nolimit said:
Personally I would buy the Camera body from high street retailer because
1. easier to return
2. easier to change if there is any problem
3. insurance.

altough you can get insurance from 3rd party, I would pay just little more for better and quick service.

If you gonna speend nearly 2k, make it a safe purchase.

Edit: If you must get it online, I'm sure you can pick 1 up for £1600 in the UK (with £200 cashback)
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The man speaks the truth. For those above reasons is why I didnt buy the 100 - 400 L IS online. I paid more for the high street retail.
 
Well well well, in an interesting twist of fate I have actually just arranged a pickup of the EOS 5D + 24-105 IS + 1GB Extreme Sandisk for 2400 pounds from my local big read me - no competitors!

Can't beat a bit of telehaggling. :D
 
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dod said:
As far as I know Canon warranty is international for lenses but country of purchase for bodies??
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When we bought a Canon camera and lens in the USA a couple of years ago (2 i think), both warantees where international. This does not mean that the Canon UK have to honour either of these though. It means (as was clearly explained to us in the shop), that the terms of the Warantee would be honoured worldwide by Canon USA. If we had a problem, then we would be responsible for shipping the faulty part to the USA for repairs.
 
SDK^ said:
The Canon 60mm Macro lens is EF-S so won't fit on the 5D
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Hmm, can you recommend a half decent macro? I am about to see them approx 6.30 tonight so wouldnt mind getting an unbiased opinion prior to being exposed to their sales patter. ;)
 
unbiased - hehe ;)

The Canon 100mm is the best option for around £400, Sigma and Tamron also do a couple of options but they are not as iIntuitive to use and the build quality is lacking a little.
 
RazorIX said:
Well well well, in an interesting twist of fate I have actually just arranged a pickup of the EOS 5D + 24-105 IS + 1GB Extreme Sandisk for 2400 pounds from my local big read me - no competitors!

Can't beat a bit of telehaggling. :D
Click to expand...

not a bad price.

Whats this about not having insurance when buying from HK..eyy??? of course you get insurance.

In the last 3 years I've spent well over £5K on photo gear...all of it from HK. Why pay more?
 
morgan said:
not a bad price.

Whats this about not having insurance when buying from HK..eyy??? of course you get insurance.

In the last 3 years I've spent well over £5K on photo gear...all of it from HK. Why pay more?
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Possibly but that is the great unknown - you may get insurance but will they honour it. Personally i think Dig Rev seem a decent outfit but when I saw the read me - no competitors deal it became a no brainer as I have the option of just travelling 2 miles back to the store. :)

Lens etc are probably the way I will go for importing.

Mark
 
I paid £1,799 for mine from the high street at a time when HK prices were the same [plus there's the £200 Canon voucher rebate too]. So a net £1,599. Morgan has a point about CF cards too - it gives an average 14mb RAW file which translates into a 78mb TIFF.
 
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milou said:
I paid £1,799 for mine from the high street at a time when HK prices were the same [plus there's the £200 Canon voucher rebate too]. So a net £1,599. Morgan has a point about CF cards too - it gives an average 14mb RAW file which translates into a 78mb TIFF.
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Yeah I took Morgan's advice (thanks!) and went for a superfast (133) 1Gb SanDisk - though hopefully will extend to a 2GB card or 3 with the rest of the bits I need when I paid next month. ;)

This 200 canon rebate, not really mentioned in the box - do you just register the camera and apply for it or something? The guy at the retailer mentioned not to forget to claim for the 200 pounds rebate.

Thanks SDK and LostKat - did go for the 100mm USM lens too.
 
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