S414 from USA to Romania

Hello everybody.

I was the silent listener of this forum and I decided that I want a S414. Tricky is that I'm from Romania and since here it's not available and in other places is so expesive i'll keep everyone interested updated on the journey of the S414 to me. I have a friend in Dallas who's gonna make this less expensive than ordered directly.

First let me tell you what i've ordered:
1. minolta s414 - $321.85 + $18.99 (shipping)

• ordered Mar 25, 2003 from http://www.digitalfotoclub.com (using a european credit card)
• shipped Mar 26, 2003 via UPS ground

2. Lexar Media CF256-12-251 256 M - $63.48

• ordered Mar 25, 2003 from http://www.amazon.com
• shipping via UPS ground with free shipping (supersaver)

3. Filters & Acc(35.5 Filter Kit for Minolta + 43mm Snap On Lens Cap + Formula MC Cleaning Fluid + Lens Cleaning Tissue) - $52.45

• ordered Mar 26, 2003 from http://www.2filter.com
• shipped Mar 27 using USPS

The batteries Ni Mh - 1850 mah ordered locally with fast charger (around $38).

My estimates are that around Apr 1, 2003 all stuff will be in Dallas. Then another week to Romania.

I'll wait for it but i'll keep you posted ... maybe other will use my experience.

And just one thing ... all guys here ... YOU'RE GREAT ...

Let me know how it works out as I have been thinking of doing the same thing, I live in France and have been waiting for this camera to become available as well in Europe, hopefully it won't be too much longer.

But I have also considered having the camera sent to my parents address in the USA and then having them mail it to me in France. But my concerns are regarding the warrenty if something should go wrong, would I be covered in France? Also how much VAT and customs would I end up having to pay for when it arrived in France?, plus I would definitly want to have it shipped insured so in the long run I don't know how much I would end up saving. I am hoping the European price will be around 400 Euros (I have seen that price listed on Amazon.de, but they don't ship to France)

Good luck with your purchase and please let me know how you like the camera, from all I have been able to read I think it is a great camera for the price and takes awesome pictures.

Shaun

decebal said:

Hello everybody.

I was the silent listener of this forum and I decided that I want a
S414. Tricky is that I'm from Romania and since here it's not
available and in other places is so expesive i'll keep everyone
interested updated on the journey of the S414 to me. I have a
friend in Dallas who's gonna make this less expensive than ordered
directly.

First let me tell you what i've ordered:
1. minolta s414 - $321.85 + $18.99 (shipping)

• ordered Mar 25, 2003 from http://www.digitalfotoclub.com (using a

european credit card)

• shipped Mar 26, 2003 via UPS ground

2. Lexar Media CF256-12-251 256 M - $63.48

• ordered Mar 25, 2003 from http://www.amazon.com
• shipping via UPS ground with free shipping (supersaver)

3. Filters & Acc(35.5 Filter Kit for Minolta + 43mm Snap On Lens
Cap + Formula MC Cleaning Fluid + Lens Cleaning Tissue) - $52.45

• ordered Mar 26, 2003 from http://www.2filter.com
• shipped Mar 27 using USPS

The batteries Ni Mh - 1850 mah ordered locally with fast charger
(around $38).

My estimates are that around Apr 1, 2003 all stuff will be in
Dallas. Then another week to Romania.

I'll wait for it but i'll keep you posted ... maybe other will use
my experience.

And just one thing ... all guys here ... YOU'RE GREAT ...

Click to expand...

Filters got to Dallas Mar 29, 2003 in good condition.

Unfortunately the super saver from amazon means that they had not shipped the Lexar

100% incredible . amazon.com surprised me BIG TIME. Let me explain:

1. placed order for a Lexar Media CF256-12-251 256 MB, USB, 12X, High-Speed CompactFlash Card

• amazon's notice "Shipping estimate: April 1, 2003 Delivery estimate: April 7, 2003 - April 8, 2003 "

2. USING FREE SUPER SAVING SHIPPING (5-9 days)

3. in 26th they issued a tracking number good for nothing (no full info for UPS)
4. TODAY
Mar 31, 2003 10:52 A.M. DALLAS, TX, US DELIVERY
Mar 26, 2003 3:46 A.M. US BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED
Tracking results provided by UPS: Mar 31, 2003 2:02 P.M. Eastern Time (USA)

100 OUT OF 100 POINTS FOR AMAZON

!!! So the camera got to Dallas !!!

My frinds first remarcs "USB transfer is fast. Package has all
the contents, and the warranty card is good for both USA and
international." - this means go fo digitalfotoclub.com

Also here are first 3 pictures sent by him



ExposureTime : 1/45Sec
FNumber : F3,0
ExposureProgram : Program Normal
ISOSpeedRatings : 200
ExifVersion : 0220
DateTimeOriginal : 2001:01:06 06:51:43
DateTimeDigitized : 2001:01:06 06:51:43
ComponentConfiguration : YCbCr
BrightnessValue : EV0,6
ExposureBiasValue : EV0,0
MaxApertureValue : F3,0
MeteringMode : Division
LightSource : Unidentified
Flash : Fired(Auto)
FocalLength : 7,18(mm)



ExposureTime : 1/45Sec
FNumber : F3,0
ExposureProgram : Program Normal
ISOSpeedRatings : 64
ExifVersion : 0220
DateTimeOriginal : 2001:01:06 06:52:14
DateTimeDigitized : 2001:01:06 06:52:14
ComponentConfiguration : YCbCr
BrightnessValue : EV4,2
ExposureBiasValue : EV0,0
MaxApertureValue : F3,0
MeteringMode : Division
LightSource : Unidentified
Flash : Not fired(Auto)
FocalLength : 7,18(mm)



ExposureTime : 1/60Sec
FNumber : F3,0
ExposureProgram : Program Normal
ISOSpeedRatings : 64
ExifVersion : 0220
DateTimeOriginal : 2001:01:06 06:52:38
DateTimeDigitized : 2001:01:06 06:52:38
ComponentConfiguration : YCbCr
BrightnessValue : EV5,0
ExposureBiasValue : EV0,0
MaxApertureValue : F3,0
MeteringMode : Division
LightSource : Unidentified
Flash : Not fired(Auto)
FocalLength : 7,18(mm)

So today it's the time for the trip to me

April 3rd, 2003

It's heading home via USPS EMS' service

estimaded arrival 2-3 days ... but since i'm not in Bucharest ... i have to add another 3-4 days ...

i'll keep you posted when it gets here

So ... it's friday afternoon and the package got to the nearest postal office with customs.

Unfortunately it's too late today and monday the customs office is closed so i can only pick it up Tuesday .... but i can "smelll it" already

It's here ...

from now on ... i'm the proud owner of a beutiful S414 ... so watch out forum ... i'm here.

Tommorow i'll go at a fair in Bucharest and intend to shoot as much as I can to test it.

- Damn ! I'm happy !

decebal said:

It's here ...

from now on ... i'm the proud owner of a beutiful S414 ... so watch
out forum ... i'm here.

Tommorow i'll go at a fair in Bucharest and intend to shoot as much
as I can to test it.

- Damn ! I'm happy !

Click to expand...

Too much happiness to handle ? Are you still alive ?

I'm from Bucuresti too, and I'm very curious to see your first impressions. This is the model I choose to buy too. So will you post again, please ?! Or write me an e-mail.
Thanks ! Dan