New lens

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Gonga

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Kelvyn
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I've managed to save enough money for a new lens, I'm looking at the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS or 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.

How different are these lenses in terms of IQ?

Secondly I've a cousin going to hong kong on hols for a week & believe the prices can be much cheaper over there, would there be any charges bringing the lens back through customs? Is the canon warranty still valid even though the lens is purchased outside the uk?
 
The difference between some Mk1 and Mk2 Canon IS lenses is apparently just the stabilisation software and maybe a slight cosmetic tweak, the IQ is exactly the same but according to this review there's a significant IQ improvement in that one. :thumbs:
 
In my general browsings I've read at least one review saying the Mk II is significantly better than the Mk I in terms of image quality.
 
If I could afford it, I would go for the newer design, as Canon are likely to support it for longer.

In theory, your cousin should go through the red channel on return to the UK and declare the lens to customs. The lens would be subject to VAT @ 20%
 
Thanks for the opinions for the lens.

Do you always have to declare the products coming through customs? Or is it possible for it to be brought in hand luggage as a personal item? Don't mind bending the law but don't really want to break it!
does anyone have any personal experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks
 
Gonga said:
Thanks for the opinions for the lens.

Do you always have to declare the products coming through customs? Or is it possible for it to be brought in hand luggage as a personal item? Don't mind bending the law but don't really want to break it!
does anyone have any personal experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks
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Yes you do have to declare stuff. It's definitely breaking the law not to (and pay duty plus VAT). You risk confiscation and a fine.

The Mk2 lens is substantially better, great lens. I don't think the Mk1 2.8 IS is still made.
 
Hi hoppy,

Thanks for the reply, just realised I've been getting confused with EU & non EU import laws.

Looks like it'll be best to buy from the UK as the cheapest I've found is around £1500 for the mk II
 
Gonga said:
Hi hoppy,

Thanks for the reply, just realised I've been getting confused with EU & non EU import laws.

Looks like it'll be best to buy from the UK as the cheapest I've found is around £1500 for the mk II
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That seems a very good price - where is it from ?


As above posts, I would opt for the mkII if funds allow
 
The cheapest I've found is "hdew cameras"
They seem to be a uk company, not sure what they're like though, anyone bought from them?
 
It appears the price of the MKII on Hdew cameras is now £1650...must of changed? I think there is one for sale in the forum :)
 
I think that if you don't declare it and it's found they don't even give you the option of paying the duty, they just confiscate it, probably fine you and put a flag on your passport which says you're known to them.
(Well, that's what happened to a mate of mine who got caught with a shedload of viagra from India :lol:)

Really not worth the risk. ;)

Post count is only one part of the criteria for accessing the classifieds, you've got another 48 days to wait too. ;)
 
I can give a definate Positive for HDEW cameras. I got my 5d2 and 24-105 f4 L from there for £2025 at the start of november. Very reliable and good value for money store.
As far as breaking the import law, if you buy it abroad and put it in your bag on the way home and just walk through as usual, just make sure you post the empty box and receipt home before you leave. There's nothing on the lens saying I bought it last week from wherever.
 
modchild said:
I can give a definate Positive for HDEW cameras. I got my 5d2 and 24-105 f4 L from there for £2025 at the start of november. Very reliable and good value for money store.
As far as breaking the import law, if you buy it abroad and put it in your bag on the way home and just walk through as usual, just make sure you post the empty box and receipt home before you leave. There's nothing on the lens saying I bought it last week from wherever.
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Customs are not stupid. They know all the tricks.

They know where you've come from, they know what goods and exchange rates are favourable, and they know what passengers might be trying to sneak through. They take a pretty dim view of smuggling and tax evasion. The potential penalties are severe.

They can also track the serial number if they want to, but most likely they'll just confiscate anything suspicious and won't release it until you produce a legitimate receipt. If you can't do that, expect to get properly clobbered.

Exactly that happened to me, and they were very unpleasant throughout the whole thing - basically assuming I was guilty until proved innocent. Which I was, but it was a masssive PITA - not literally, thankfully. I now carry receipts for all the big items in my outfit when travelling.
 
Wozzaaah said:
I think that if you don't declare it and it's found they don't even give you the option of paying the duty, they just confiscate it, probably fine you and put a flag on your passport which says you're known to them.
(Well, that's what happened to a mate of mine who got caught with a shedload of viagra from India :lol:)
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Trying to smuggle viagra which is a prescription only drug could have been a very expensive mistake for your friend & the reason why they were confiscated, lucky to get away without a criminal conviction with that!

Wozzaaah said:
Really not worth the risk. ;)
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Probably right, could end up costing a lot more if I take the gamble!

Wozzaaah said:
Post count is only one part of the criteria for accessing the classifieds, you've got another 48 days to wait too. ;)
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Been a member on here for about a year now, but with work commitments have only been able to use the site for inspiration for some of my own shots.

HoppyUK said:
Customs are not stupid. They know all the tricks.

They know where you've come from, they know what goods and exchange rates are favourable, and they know what passengers might be trying to sneak through. They take a pretty dim view of smuggling and tax evasion. The potential penalties are severe.

They can also track the serial number if they want to, but most likely they'll just confiscate anything suspicious and won't release it until you produce a legitimate receipt. If you can't do that, expect to get properly clobbered.

Exactly that happened to me, and they were very unpleasant throughout the whole thing - basically assuming I was guilty until proved innocent. Which I was, but it was a masssive PITA - not literally, thankfully. I now carry receipts for all the big items in my outfit when travelling.
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I have to admit I don't have receptis for some of my kit as some is secondhand, would have great difficulty proving that!
 
Gonga said:
Been a member on here for about a year now, but with work commitments have only been able to use the site for inspiration for some of my own shots.
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Hehe, so you have! :clap:
I saw the date and missed the bit where it said 2010, your low post count threw me too.
Apologies. :amstupid:
 
Wozzaaah said:
Hehe, so you have! :clap:
I saw the date and missed the bit where it said 2010, your low post count threw me too.
Apologies. :amstupid:
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No worries, no apologies needed!

I've also been just watching about how people are on here as I've been on other forum sites for other interests & I definitely wouldn't post on some of them as some can be really aggressive in their responses & have seen huge arguments resulting in banning of some users. Needless to say everyone on here is great, supportive & am looking to posting some of my shots for critiquing!:)
 
Gonga said:
<snip>

I have to admit I don't have receptis for some of my kit as some is secondhand, would have great difficulty proving that!
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Well, like I say, customs are not daft. And I don't want to go scaremongering folks into thinking anything without a receipt is going to be impounded.

Customs know when stuff is obviously part of an existing outfit and quite likely has the odd mark through use, even if it's only a bit of dust. If the worst comes to the worst, the serial number will show it's old, and were it was originally sold.
 
I just bought from HDEW...very good IMHO. Makes a lot more sense than some of the insane s/h prices.
 
kestral said:
Have a look at store policies page at the bottom. £1575 very cheap!
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Can't find one, aren't we supposed to add links to stores? If we're not please accept my apologies, a naive error on my behalf! Have no intention/interest to plug for any favourite stores!:shrug:
 
kestral said:
It's your own link! http://hdewcameras2.rtrk.co.uk/?scid=24078&kw=6197818&pub_cr_id=9651482058
Click store policies in the toolbar and go down to the bottom of the page.Read the small print and then see if you still think the lens is going to cost you £1575.
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Ah you mean this bit:

"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Please note that by making a purchase on this website you will be acting as the importer of the product for all purposes including all customs regulations,copyright and trademark laws.You accept that the role of HDEW Cameras is limited to sourcing products and making them them available for you to import directly from the country of origin.By purchasing a product through this
website you authorise us to make arrangements for clearance of customs on your behalf for the products you have ordered"

Very eagle eyed of you Kestrel (no pun intended), Damn well cheesy of them though! Can't believe a company can get away with that!:thinking:
 
Gonga said:
Ah you mean this bit:

"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Please note that by making a purchase on this website you will be acting as the importer of the product for all purposes including all customs regulations,copyright and trademark laws.You accept that the role of HDEW Cameras is limited to sourcing products and making them them available for you to import directly from the country of origin.By purchasing a product through this
website you authorise us to make arrangements for clearance of customs on your behalf for the products you have ordered"

Very eagle eyed of you Kestrel (no pun intended), Damn well cheesy of them though! Can't believe a company can get away with that!:thinking:
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That's the bit alright. I emailed them yesterday to ask about vat and import duties.No reply so far.The best price on that lens I can find is £1775.Some of the prices on the cameras are ridiculously low.It would be nice if it was true but I think it will not be.
 
kestral said:
That's the bit alright. I emailed them yesterday to ask about vat and import duties.No reply so far.The best price on that lens I can find is £1775.Some of the prices on the cameras are ridiculously low.It would be nice if it was true but I think it will not be.
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Just contacted digital rev & their price of £1600 includes any import duties & VAT, etc!

Let me know what hdew say! Thanks
 
Gonga said:
Just contacted digital rev & their price of £1600 includes any import duties & VAT, etc!

Let me know what hdew say! Thanks
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Just got the email from them (HDEW).They say there are no extra charges and say to ring them for more information.It's a very good price.
Digital rev bring them in from Hong Kong I have heard.
 
I've just bought a 7D and am also in the market for this lens. I just rang HDEW after seeing this and got the owner Paul (who was a very helpful & nice guy).

There is nothing extra to pay and delivery is free. The lens is imported from outside the EU and sold by a VAT registered UK company. The warranty is completely valid in the UK. The stock is already in Warrington & if you ordered today you would get it Thursday (they shut at 2pm).

The offer expires on the 4th but that is only to cover themselves against exchange rate changes, the cost is not likely to change soon after the 4th.

I'm going to be buying one. He did say that if you order from the website make sure its the .co.uk website but they can place the order over the prone if there is any problem.
 
Doca said:
I've just bought a 7D and am also in the market for this lens. I just rang HDEW after seeing this and got the owner Paul (who was a very helpful & nice guy).

There is nothing extra to pay and delivery is free. The lens is imported from outside the EU and sold by a VAT registered UK company. The warranty is completely valid in the UK. The stock is already in Warrington & if you ordered today you would get it Thursday (they shut at 2pm).

The offer expires on the 4th but that is only to cover themselves against exchange rate changes, the cost is not likely to change soon after the 4th.

I'm going to be buying one. He did say that if you order from the website make sure its the .co.uk website but they can place the order over the prone if there is any problem.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing the confusion & great to confirm a great price for the lens!
 
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