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Camerrrrargh

Journal Entry: Thu May 21, 2009, 4:40 PM

_{I don't remember buying a camera being this much of a hassle.

I suppose because last time, I was on an impulse. As I said, if I don't get into radio school: I'm buying a DSLR. I didn't get in and I then bought Stella.
I also had money already saved for the thought I'd be living in Sydney.

Now it's been almost 4 years since I'd bought my little Sony A100.
I could have had my upgrade at the start of this year as I had 5k saved up but I went to Japan (which I don't regret)....

Then recently dad was like, get that d700 you wanted for your birthday and I'll help you pay it off, but he was very keen on saying also: "I'm only paying $500, just pay me back." That to me is a great idea, although I'm still like 5-6k in debt...

Everytime I mention it he shudders: I guess he didn't realise how much he was getting himself into. Oh well - I will pay him off. Motivation to actually goto work!

So I'm soul-camera-searching!

Can you please answer this: is it wrong to be cheap and look for the best deal? I'm pulling my hair out just looking.

So after talking to many photographers: I've been told "make sure they're from Australia, no HK, no US." I guess they were referring to warranty? If something shits up here atleast I can goto the shop or something rather than waiting around for 4 weeks, just for it to be shipped somewhere.

So here are my options:

I could a)go with a store in town (JBHIFI/TEDS/CAMERA HOUSE/DOMAYNE/HARVEY NORMAN)and pay about probably 600-1000 more... (I'm talking about with the lens).

But what seems the cheapest alternative is

b) Get on a bus, goto Sydney ($30 max each way) to go to DD's Photographic where both the camera and lens is cheaper! I mean, the lens I want (Niko 24-70mm f2.8)!! Total cost for cam and lens is $6218.00

What would you do?

Sell your soul? Cause I'm pretty willing right now.

HELP ME

Next year. I will be working f/t, if only that was now so I'd have sufficient funds. *sigh*.}

14 Comments

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~Sabi11 May 21, 2009, 6:08:23 PM

I know nothing about cameras but i would go with b.

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~super-fantastich May 21, 2009, 6:26:29 PM

_{It makes the most sense to me. Other than selling everything in my room. However - I don't think I own 6 k worth of stuff. I could sell the car, but I don't think mum would be happy as it is in her name, and she paid for it.}

~Disco-Gee May 21, 2009, 6:27:33 PM

I don't think it's wrong to look for the best deal. The problem with the place in Sydney is that they sell grey imports which Nikon won't cover under their warranty. This means that if something goes wrong with your camera you have to send/take it back to DDs in Sydney and have them deal with it, as opposed to being able to take your camera to any local Nikon dealer and having them sort it out. I don't know if that hassle is worth the savings. Maybe it is?

Teds are good people to buy from but they don't seem to be very willing to move on price. JB and Harvey Norman can usually give you a much better price. In fact, I bought a canon Ixus from them 5 months ago - the price was marked on sale at about $300, down from about $350. I told the guy I wanted 2, and only wanted to pay $250 each. He checked and told me that the cost price was $259 (I knew that was true because someone at another store said the same thing) and then said he could give it to me for $1 more than cost. I ended up paying $260 each! Sweet! JB aren't usually as helpful as Teds but if you go in there knowing exactly what you want and ready to buy, they can really move on price. Same thing with Harvey Norman. If price was my main concern, I'd probably buy from JB or Harvey Norman.

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~super-fantastich May 21, 2009, 6:30:50 PM

_{I thought DD's were Australian thingys though?
Oh man. That's the only reason why I considered them also.

It's so frustrating. How are you suppose to know?

*jumps around the room*

Hahah, I am frustrated man.

I srsly don't know what to do!!!!!!}

~drifterManifesto May 21, 2009, 7:40:12 PM

I'd go with DD. The hassle of going to sydney is worth the saving. If something went wrong with your camera, even if you brought it to a Canberra Nikon dealer it would still take weeks to get your camera back. Just getting the sensor cleaned takes about a month to get back so one day it takes to go to sydney plus the $30 dollars is not too much, for me anyway.

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~Disco-Gee May 21, 2009, 8:41:49 PM

[link] <- see questions 5 and 7.

Sorry to burst your bubble

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~super-fantastich May 21, 2009, 9:30:16 PM

_{The ultimate question is:

What other problems aside from the fact that the camera was imported??

They are still a fully functioning camera, right?

I bought my treasured Sony lens from Hong Kong... It's lasted almost a year and a bit now.

Argh. I don't know - maybe I should just go with DD's.. it just seems like the best choice..

To people like JBHIFI
I can go in: and seriously say, what the hell are you going to offer me?
Bags, filters? That may sway me a little bit.}