Looking to get myself a prime lens for indoor stuff - does anyone know how to work out how much customs will slap on the side of the box? Is it just anything they feel like or a %age of the product's worth? Cheers
It's about 20% with VAT and Import tax. import tax: http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...CE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P122_10297
If buying from HK, I'm guessing you're looking on eBay? Just look out for the NO IMPORT DUTY auctions. There's a few sellers do them. For example: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L Ok, not the kinda lens you're after, but the first one I came across.
Well.. i've been talking about getting my camera and lens from HK because it is so much cheaper over there. Even the auctions on eBay seem to be making a steal at the prices they are selling them at. I've got a cousin who is coming over from HK to the UK to study and he'll be staying with us for the duration of his A-Levels. Of course he is going to fly back and forth every holiday and he is flying here in August. I think i'm going to try and persuade him to do a bit of shopping for me! But then again, I myself am back in HK early next year anyway.
Just remember you won't have a UK warranty if you get teh body from HK. Lenses are fine, they have international warranties, but bodies don't.
yeah, I remember you telling me that on the other thread not so long back.. The body i'm inclined to buy here but extra lenses i'm definitely going to get from HK in the future... but I think i'm going to have to buy it when i'm there myself to check it out at the shop... but then again, if they have international warranties if it's b0rked then I could always just go back to the UK manufacturer.
Hehe The lens in question is the 50mm f/1.8 II by the way. Just hoping that I don't break the darn thing, apparently the build quality is utter trash but the optics more than make up for it...
Yeah i know :/ Couldn't find what seemed like an amazing example on ebay for a mark one model either. It'll be fine, and if not, not a lot of money to have lost.
Did you try the 50mm first? I've got a 50mm (f1.4) and whilst I really love the lens, I do often find it a little long, certainly indoors. Going to invest in a 35mm prime (or there abouts) at some point. This is obviously due to the 1.6x and if I ever go FF the 50mm will be super, but for now, think I need both. How much is a mark one? Is it worth spending the extra for the 1.4? Though you still don't get distance scale on teh barrell.
sigma do a great 30mm 1.4 when my 50mm 1.8 II breaks, i'll probably be getting that. nothing wrong with the 1.8 II btw, sure it has a godawful build, but it's fifty bloody quid and is seriously sharp (well, my copy is). and someone somewhere on teh intarwebs make a lil sticker you could print out and stick on the barrel for distance scale. i used it for a while before realising i didn't really use it anyway. also, fredmiranda.com has a great buy&sell forum (i do mean GREAT. about a thread every second gets posted there) loads of people willing to ship to UK. just got a mint 17-85mm IS USM and hood for $455 from there
That's what I'm probably looking at getting. Heard several very good things about FM's FS forum but never ventured there myself. Might have a looksie, see if I can pick up some long-ass glass for a good price.
