Buy DSLR Lenses in Australia / Perth ?

Just landed in bright and sunny Perth no more than 24 hours back and thought of buying a wide angle lens (Sigma 10-20mm). Walked into a shop and was appalled at the prices of lenses here !!!

A Nikon 35mm f1.8 was AUD 399 and the Sigma was AUD 699 !!! That's like twice the price of the Nikon if I purchase it from the US and about 300 more for the Sigma !!!

Where do you guys buy lenses from ? Retail Shops / Online ? It would be great if you can help me with some links / suggestions ?

Also I want to sell my Nikon 50mm f1.8. Is there any shop where I can do that ? It would be great help if you guys could help me out with this too

Thanks so much

Abesh

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Camera : Nikon D3100

Lenses : Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 HSM OS Macro, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR IF-ED, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D.

D-D Photographics isn't too bad - ( the 35/1.8 is $262 at DD) - but they don't have a shop in Perth.

Buying online from HK is a lot cheaper, and usually quicker, if your local shop hasn't got what you want in stock. The last lens I bought from HK I ordered on Saturday afternoon, and had it in my hands on Tuesday morning.

Cheers

I've been purchasing Nikon gear for years from HK, via eBay Australia.

Never had any problems; always paid by PayPal.

I bought my D700 recently and paid just over $2000.

Good luck
Giep

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" Taking good pictures comes from experience; experience comes from taking a lot of bad pictures."

Yes buy from D D Photographics online. They are based in Sydney with a office in Brisbabne. I phone ordered a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR2 for only $2599 ( AU ) with free over night courier. I ordered last Monday at 1pm and received lens by 3pm the next day. It is the second time I have ordered from them with no Promblems

Cheers

Thanks so much guys for the suggestions. What about customs and taxes ? Also the DD Photography site ( http://www.ddphotographics.com.au/ ) seems to give me a 403 error ?

Also a friend suggested Topbuy. What do you guys think abt that ?

Thanks so much again

Abesh

--
Camera : Nikon D3100

Lenses : Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 HSM OS Macro, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR IF-ED, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D.

we certainly do get scammed here in, i usually but from this mob
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/index.asp

as the saving are crazy...600 on the 105mm vr 700 on the 70-200VRII that i bought earlier this year not to mention $1000 on a D700

but my last two lenses i bought Australian stock

the 85mm 1.4g from michaels in melbourne, they had one in stock and the price difference from HK (none in stock any way) was a little less than $200 so not much of a saving.

Saturday i ordered the 35mm f1.4g from http://www.camerapro.net.au/ again Australian stock, believe it or not they were cheaper than HK...i paid total of $1932 with shipping. from HK it's $2179 plus add shippping and credit card surcharge.

I have not problems buying from HK or anywhere else for that matter but the savings have to be really good
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badui bourizk
http://www.studio102.net
http://www.sicilians.com.au

Rarely buy anything from my home town, mainly use DigitalRev, Hong Kong.

Camera Electronics in Perth are open to "offers" on most of their gear. Still more expensive than overseas.

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Bob

Perth, Western Australia

Hi

I have regularly travelled to Perth from the East coast during the past five years. I check out photo shops regularly and have never purchased anything because they are too expensive there. DD photographics, as mentioned, is a really good place to get gear and I only purchased a 300mm F4 from them a few weeks back. The grey market is quite big in Australia because our retail prices are often way too high for reasons that are never too clear. Our dollar is close to parity with the US dollar but our camera prices in retail outlets are typically 20-30% more expensive. We do have a 10% Goods and Services Tax but this does not accout for the larger discrepancy.

All the best and welcome down under. That makes two important visitors this week - Oprah and yourself.

Peter Mc
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exploring the space

Here is correct address http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/

Great prices and service, and no I don't have a finanical interest in them or work for them.

They say support Australia, therefore you must.

I bought a D300 here which is $300 more expensive than my D700 bought in Hong Kong. I bought a Westinghouse manufactured here but I regretted it the very first day for not buying an import, the Samsung. Pardon me but this fridge is so blxxdy noisy and the motor seems to be running all day. Well I also support the local farmers to buy grapes at $9.99 per kilo (not too bad, some were $14.99). But I wonder how much do they really get?

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Australia, home forever.

Thanks so much for the help guys I'll update this thread once I have made my choice
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Camera : Nikon D3100

Lenses : Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 HSM OS Macro, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR IF-ED, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D.