reputable camera dealers

[DJDD]

hey,

I am looking at buying a new camera and lens (full-frame or not) and was wondering where people have bought them from- i.e. looking for info on reputable dealers.

i was going to japan in June and buying there but have postponed that until next year.

things i am considering with respect to dealers:
- warranties, some of the stores with cheaper camera equipement offer warranties by third parties nto manufacturer warranties, presumably because the cameras are grey imports?
- good to deal with
- not too expensive

i am in melbourne.

any info or advice is welcome.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

3rd party warranties often indicate parallel importation.

Canon will only warranty locally sourced cameras. If you buy from Japan, you need to repair in Japan from their perspective.

[DJDD]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

3rd party warranties often indicate parallel importation.

Canon will only warranty locally sourced cameras. If you buy from Japan, you need to repair in Japan from their perspective.

thanks for the reply.
yes, that was my thought on the warranties.

i was just wondering what people thought about the third-party warranties sold by such places as Camera Warehouse? has anyone had experience using them (i.e. thrid parties, not necessarily camera warehouse).

[hotspur (Chris)]

DWI-hong-Kong,great prices,very very quick postage

'Cameras direct' Gold Coast.

A friend had a camera from Cameras Direct,had an issue in first twelve months,they replaced camera -no issues for him.

[DJDD]

thanks, hotspur.
will look into Cameras Direct as one of the options, then.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

I bought a 5D from DDE, a grey importer, great price and service. You take your pick. Pay far less and take a risk. The larger grey importers have local warrentty repair.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Regarding DWI.

For my first order I got the email saying they had dispatched it in HK. The package was in Sydney in my hot little hands next day.

I placed a second order at 20:19 last night. Payment acknowledged 11:34 today (09:34 HK time). Being packed 11:51. Dispatched 12:45. FedEx expect delivery tomorrow. Half the price Sony want here.

Andrew

PS. Signed for by our receiving dock at 3:19, so less than 24 hours from HK to me.

[DJDD]

thanks, all.
DWI and DDE seem to get good comments on other forums.

will look into those

I just did some more night shots with a Nikon D80, in the bush, and the results were poor- grainy and noisy. I am looking at a new canon, although had heard there may be issues with the 550d. anyway, that is for another thread.