Hi All.
I am looking at getting the Canon EOS 450D camera with the Sigma AF 8mm f3.5 EX DG lens. Also an Agnos TCP short bracket and Manfrotto ball head and tripod
Does anyone know where in Australia is the best place to order from regarding price and service etc.
Thanks in advance,
Wozza,
Last year I was trying to help a fellow panorama photographer in CHINA buy a newer Sigma 8mm lens. I went to our local US Photography Shoppe and asked if they would sell and ship the lens to China.
The reply was YES but the person in China would have to send a bank wire transfer of money to the Shoppe Bank account. Their Shoppe policy is no credit card sales to destinations outside the US because a few times in the past, they charged the credit card for price of product and shipping, shipped the product, they received the product and then contested the credit card charge and did not pay and the Shoppe did not receive their money.
So lessons learned. Bank Wire transfers only for international sales. No credit card international sales.
It is a matter of making sure the Shoppe gets paid for product sold.
Needless to say, my friend in China said Bank wire transfer fees to high.
I would have thought it would have been polite to at least reply to your email.
Hope this helps explain.
I have emailed the Sigma4less again informing them this time that as they can't be bothered to reply to my two emails, I won't be getting the lenses from them.
Not good for business for them and also anyone else considering buying from them may want to think twice maybe, at least if you're not in the US that is???
Wozza.
Hi there
Make sure its a proper international warranty and not a 'importer' warranty. I bought from digitalrev and a friend of mine has had HUUUUUGE issues with them. They haven't replied to any of my emails asking what I'd do if and when my cam is out of their warranty and something goes wrong.
Cheap cam, which I love, with loads of extras but I'm already saving for one from Jessops in the UK which, if it has a problem, I can take back and get fixed.
Peace of mind is worth it IMHO.
HTH
F
Thanks.
I wrote and checked that the warranty is international and they agreed and stated on their website that if an issue occurs, they will locate the nearest dealer to where I live and get it repaired there. Have bought the camera and am now sourcing the Sigma AF 8mm f3.5 EX DG. Have found a place in the US that is by far the cheapest anywhere, called Sigma4less (http://sigma4less.com/sigma-fisheye-8mm-f35-ex-dg-circular-fish-eye-autofocus-lens-for-canon-eos.html ) Price is US $599.99. However, I am unable to register fully with them with my billing/mailing address as they only seem to cater for US customers. I have emailed them to find out if this is the case. Buying it from here with the Aussie dollar still being strong, the price is a over $200 cheaper at about AUS $685.00. There are places on Ebay that it can be got for as little as about $800.00 too and that is also with a 1 year international warranty.
A quick update. After sending two emails to Sigma4less about information regarding the lens and how to register on their website, there still has been no reply so does not inspire confidence in dealing with them. If they can't be bothered to reply to an email - I can't be bothered doing business with them - the search contines!!
Woz.
You might look at www.nodalninja.com.au for a local panohead if you don't wish to import from Italy - buying from either you should mention "Smooth" sent you for some sort of discount or bonus. Any major department store can supply the Canon 450D with the Good Guys & Harvey Norman offering decent prices (after bartering!) The Sigma lens range is distributed by C.R. Kennedy in Australia and most camera stores can supply these.
Regards, Smooth 
Thanks Smooth.
I have checked out these places and have found places in Hong Kong selling the camera body for over $200 cheaper and that includes a warranty too, plus a few extras such as a bag, SD card and extra battery etc.
I am new to this and am hoping this setup will be good enough to produce good quality virtual tours - what do you think?!?!
Thanks,
Wozza.
My suggestion would be if you want a Canon camera then buying from Hong Hong will be OK so long as it comes with International warranty and will be repaired in Australia. Back to base warranty will be a killer if YOU have to pay for postage back to Hong Hong not to mention the time delays.
For Nikon cameras forget it. Nikon company warranty is NOT International - in fact if your serial is out region you cannot even update firmware or download local language software updates. (this issue does not apply for Nikkor/Nikon Lenses)
Nodal Ninja Panoheads are now only available direct from www.nodalninja.com.au for Australia Pacific Region customers. Local supplier for local customers, this is better for customers with warranty, support and faster delivery times. One of the biggest benefits of the Nodal Ninja is that there is a know list of camera/lens position settings to correctly align for rotation shooting on the No Parallax Point.
Of course the Agnos MrotatorTCPS has been a favourite of mine for years and I still use one along with Nodal Ninja panoheads. The delivery times form Italy are typically fairly quick.
Regards, Smooth
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