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Push me, I am nearly there!

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I haven't decided where to buy the lens yet, America, hong kong or at home here in Australia. I am tempted with this one to buy locally, even though the recommended retail price is $16,000 Au ($12,000 US)

I can buy from US for $8000 US plus courier of around $150 US, that totals $11,953 Au plus GSTincluded. If I can find a store that is willing to sell cheap in Australia, I may get away with the lens for $14,000 Au. But this way I have an Australian warranty and I just go to the shop and pick it up, give them the money and we are done.........Probably no rebate.
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
Your wife sounds pretty cool too Scott.
--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
Yes, just looking for the right place to buy.
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Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
(Smackin a lump of 4 x 2 around Dave's head) Do it Dave !

The lens fits two of your major photographic interests - cricket and motor racing. You take lots of photos, you have the money, its a no brainer.

Then you can bring it out to Bathurst for the V8 Supercars in October and let me play with it :)

Don't Nikon lenses have world wide warranty ? So buying OS shouldn't be a problem on that score (although it would be nice to have a friendly local dealer to take it back to if there are problems)

--
cheers

Steve
 
Steve, the yanks won't know what a 4x2 is, they would if we called it a 2 x 4. lol

Yes, Nikon warranty is worldwide, but must ship an American lens back to America for their warranty work, $200 Au each way....this is where the big plus for Australian warranty through Maxwells lies. Also, if the lens is damaged in transit from USA, I will have a headache....all this boils down to maybe spending the extra $2000 Au could be worth my while, it is really only 16% more than the overseas cost.

But come Bathurst, I will bring it, the 120-300, 17-55, 10-20 and D2X...might even buy a 1.7 tc for the 400 as well. I should be able to get amazing shots looking back up conrod straight as they fly over the last hill into the braking zone.
We will have to meet up and show the canon guys how it is done!
--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
Hi Dave

Mmmm ..... Nikon's definition of worldwide warranty is different to mine. It doesn't make sense to me, but I'm sure you've done your research.

With the 400 + 1.7 TC you're going to need conrod strait to see the cars. Any closer and you'd be able to see the sweat pouring out of the driver's eyeballs:)

My new 300 f4 isn't going to look as cool when you bring the 400, but we should meet up all the same - I'll cope with lens envy :)

--
cheers

Steve
 
top 5 reasons:

1. life is short.

2. the commander in chief approves the budget.

3. you got the $$$.

4. the lens will best fit your style.

5. photography is your passion, more than anything else.

--
cheers,
dave
http://imageEvent.com/dayv

(equipment on profile)
 
...buy a 70-300G and send me the rest of the money instead! I'll push for you! ;-)

--
megafolie
 
As he said it has to be Nikons ultimate lens. With a 1.4x teleconverter you get a 560mm f/4 monster! For the few weeks I had mine, I was mightly impressed, but alas it was WAY too heavy (I bought a first generation AF-I 12 pound monster) for my photography style.

Chris
 
Purchasing locally, for cheaper than I thought it would be, but still more than the American version,,,,,but not by much. I am surprised and excited....but have to wait approx 6 weeks. Ordered the 1.4 nikon TC at the same time.
--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
My late 2 cents worth.......

In the last three months I have dropped an equal amount (or more) on camera equipment. So I have a perspective that not everyone else here can share in an empty wallet kind of way.

I do not now have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

If you are going to use this lens daily, maybe. If you lived without this lens for the past year dreaming about it, I would get a buddy to wake you up with a bucket of water and save the cash.

Eight grand invested wisely over 30 years is a six digit figure. Do you love this lens enough to give up that kind of seed money?





Photography http://www.garymayo.com Body Arts http://www.guns2roses.com
Speak ill of no persons and expect the same courteous treatment from all others.
 
Gary Mayo said:
My late 2 cents worth.......
Click to expand...
More like severel thousands it seems :)
Gary Mayo said:
In the last three months I have dropped an equal amount (or more)
on camera equipment. So I have a perspective that not everyone else
here can share in an empty wallet kind of way.
Click to expand...
Who does not have an empty wallet? That is one common side effect of lens lust. That and a sore back from attempting to carry everthing around.
Gary Mayo said:
I do not now have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
Click to expand...
Then you have not invested wisely, according to your true needs.
Gary Mayo said:
If you are going to use this lens daily, maybe. If you lived
without this lens for the past year dreaming about it, I would get
a buddy to wake you up with a bucket of water and save the cash.

Eight grand invested wisely over 30 years is a six digit figure.
Do you love this lens enough to give up that kind of seed money?
Click to expand...
But just imagine all the wonderful images you can create with this lens during a 30 year period ... All the beuty, all the excitement -- and not to be forgotten: all thge money you can earn from those images.

But I guess in a sense you are right. It is madness to drop a major part of your savings on a piece of glass. That or a motor cycle. Or golf equipment (and fees). Or on a boat and boat equipment. Or just blow it away on booze and pointless clubs.

But an even bigger madness is not to live out your dreams ...
 
Gary Mayo said:
My late 2 cents worth.......

In the last three months I have dropped an equal amount (or more)
on camera equipment. So I have a perspective that not everyone else
here can share in an empty wallet kind of way.
Click to expand...
Are you in a situation that allows you to depreciate your gear?
Gary Mayo said:
I do not now have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
Click to expand...
I can understand that after the honeymoon period is over, that it is just another lens.
Gary Mayo said:
If you are going to use this lens daily, maybe. If you lived
without this lens for the past year dreaming about it, I would get
a buddy to wake you up with a bucket of water and save the cash.
Click to expand...
I will not be using the lens every day, maybe only 30 days a year, but I am going in with my eyes open in this regard.
Gary Mayo said:
Eight grand invested wisely over 30 years is a six digit figure.
Click to expand...
In Australia it is more like the equivalent of $10,000 US that I have spent.
Gary Mayo said:
Do you love this lens enough to give up that kind of seed money?
Click to expand...
I also have investments......but as my photography has turned a profit, I have the option of paying tax or purchasing new equipment and depreciating it over the next 4 or 5 years....I choose more gear. This is the governments way of generating more circulation of the dollar which in turn allows that dollar to be taxed more often.

I thank you for your concern and enlightening me on your recent purchase. I will pass on the bucket of water..lol.

--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
If I am on this planet for another 30 years, I will die happy, but happier knowing that I considered all the for's and against's about a 400mm f/2.8 Nikon lens and acted on my decision to buy. This has been my outlook on life for the past 10 years and it has done well for me.

By the way, I just did a quick sum on Gary's figures of $8000 over 30 years. I went with $10,000 at 6% per annum compounding and not taxing it at all over 30 years and came up with just over $76,000....not 6 figures at all. I think the days of high interest rates are well behind us. I think the tax saving of purchasing this lens and then generated income from it will be on par with investing the money, but I can't take the money to the beach, track or field to get awesome shots.
--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
I am still considering buying a 300mm f/4 one day. But after the 400mm, I will have to look at a second body, and in a hurry, possibly the D50. I would love a D2Hs, but money has all but gone on the 400.
I hope your 300 f/2.8 is as much fun as a barrel of monkeys.
--
Warm regards, Dave.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
 
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