nikon phottix odins

[deputy dawg]

I see the release of the nikon fit triggers,power is adjustable in 1/3 stop increments, pity they didn't have the same for canon.

 

[Triggaaar]

I'm impatiently waiting to get some

 

[TG.]

$350 in US = around £225, £300 in UK, looks like where getting stuffed yet again :annoyed:

 

[Flash In The Pan]

$350 in US = around £225, £300 in UK, looks like where getting stuffed yet again :annoyed:

You're comparing apples with oranges, Tel. If you take the VAT and import duty off the UK price then there's (at most) fifteen quid or so between the two.

$350 (no tax) =£225

£300 - VAT and import duty(at a nominal 4%, may be 6% or more) will be approx £240.....

 

[Triggaaar]

Where's this £300 quote from?

You're comparing apples with oranges, Tel. If you take the VAT and import duty off the UK price then there's (at most) fifteen quid or so between the two.

$350 (no tax) =£225

£300 - VAT and import duty(at a nominal 4%, may be 6% or more) will be approx £240.....

I agree with your principle of comparing like for like.

So we have 20% VAT to pay, what's the 4/6% import duty for? And are these coming from Hong Kong, so the US should have some import duty too?

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Where's this £300 quote from?

$350 in US = around £225, £300in UK, looks like where getting stuffed yet again :annoyed:

I agree with your principle of comparing like for like.

So we have 20% VAT to pay, what's the 4/6% import duty for? And are these coming from Hong Kong, so the US should have some import duty too?

When you import goods into this country some, but not all, attract import duty (at varying rates) which is added to the landed cost before VAT is calculated/added. You are correct in that the US will levy an import duty of some sort too, however as their tariff structure is complex and I have no idea as to the rate levied.

Currency fluctuations (and the fact that most HK/Chinese manufacturers work exclusively in USD) also need to be accounted for when making a comparison, it's not as simple as just comparing two retail prices. If that were the case then you'd need to spare a thought for our Aussie cousins...

That works out (at the then current exchange rate) at £577, whilst we were all bemoaning Jessops and the like asking £320 for the same item. Most of the huge difference in that case can be accounted for by the collapse in the value of sterling.

For more reading Google the "Big Mac Index" which illustrates the buying power of the world's currencies relative to each other.

 

[Triggaaar]

I bought my Phottix Stratos off the bay, I'd do the same with these if the same retailer had them soon enough.

 

[TG.]

You're comparing apples with oranges, Tel. If you take the VAT and import duty off the UK price then there's (at most) fifteen quid or so between the two.

$350 (no tax) =£225

£300 - VAT and import duty(at a nominal 4%, may be 6% or more) will be approx £240.....

Ok fair comment, probably me just being grumpy Graham Anyway all this aside how do the odins compare to pocket wizards ? obviously the PW's are better, but just wanted an overall opinion.

 

[Garry Edwards]

The whole pricing thing is complex and variable, but here are some of the things to consider if you think that you're being ripped off.
1. Chinese companies don't give credit. Typically, you're looking at a hefty part payment at the time of placing the order, with the balance paid when the goods are ready to leave the factory. Then 5 weeks on a ship. Paying for goods up to 3 months before they reach this country costs money and has to be factored into the price.
2. Import duties and VAT, again paid to HMG before the goods arrive.
3. Warehousing costs
4. 20% VAT on the final retail price.

All of these factors, combined, add an enormous amount to the cost, plus there are exchange rate variations, which can go either way but which usually go the wrong way... We may live in rip off Britain, but it isn't generally the sellers who do the ripping off, it's just the high direct and indirect taxes and the high costs of premises and wages that make everything so expensive.

Back to your question. PW make excellent products but the competition from China, which has now become a centre of technology rather than a place where cheap copies are made, if producing very real competition for them. The major radio trigger makers in China are huge, are at the forefront of new technology and growing at an incredible rate of knots. If only they had pronouncable names, had proper marketing in this country and didn't sell their products to Ebay sellers, they would have a much better reputation.

And this from someone who has only just got back from ShenZen, where all these electronic products + just about every other hi tech product, is made...

 

[specialman]

I see the release of the nikon fit triggers,power is adjustable in 1/3 stop increments, pity they didn't have the same for canon.

I thought the Canon version was identical?

From spec sheet:

"Wireless 2.4GHz. TTL and Manual Flash Triggering
Remote power control of groups in TTL with +/- EV adjustments (3 stops in 1/3 stop increments - 18 different levels.)
Mix TTL and Manual flash – fire some groups in TTL, others as manual.
Remote power control in A:B ratio modes with +/- EV adjustments
High speed sync – shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec.
Second curtain sync functions
Remote manual mode flash power control
Remote flash head zoom adjustments – auto or manual
Compatible with Phottix Strato 4-in1 and Phottix Strato II Multi 5-in-1 Wireless Triggers.
Upgradeable via built-in USB ports.

 

[deputy dawg]

if i have read correctly when shooting in manual with the nikon odins you can adjust in 1/3 stop increments where as the canon is full stops only.