Another which DSLR thread?

[FenianEel]

(I'm aware of grey imports and local service, mack warranty etc.)

You are aware of grey imports aren't you? And the issues around them.

Looks like it

[mowog]

Ok then it's a simple case of buyer beware then.

[Chucaro]

I have form a grey import my D200, the Manfrotto and the Tokina for 3 years now and I am happy with them.

The Law in Australia give you the same protection if you get your gear from a manufacturer representative or other importers.
What you have to look is if the company which import the gear have good reputation and is established for long time in Oz.
I have dealing with THIS people without problems.

In any case it is good to find out what it is in offer so if you like to can use their prices to get a good deal form the official importers

[incisor]

The Law in Australia give you the same protection if you get your gear from a manufacturer representative or other importers.

wrong

manufacturers warranty is exactly that, from the manufacturer and you are covered no matter what business you brought it from as long as the manufacturer still has a contact in AU.

a grey market warranty is a business level warranty and the manufacturer is under no obligation to help you if the business you bought it through goes broke or if the third party warranty insurer they normally use doesn't honour the warranty, as many of them do when it isn't viable.

that said, there are some excellent direct importers around....

[big guy]

We are talking about a $1000 camera, which in 2 years be worth Zipp.

I still suggest going to a store and betting some hands on experience.
I am a huge Nikon fan, at the entry range I believe you get more dollar value with Canon.

And as far as Pro forums go, they highlight problems which is good and most pro's use Nikon which is also good but they will be biased. Bit like land Rover forums I guess.
Pro's use mainly Nikon, Canon is more amateur stuff sure but for what he is wanting, I do believe its worth a look.

[Chucaro]

wrong

manufacturers warranty is exactly that, from the manufacturer and you are covered no matter what business you brought it from as long as the manufacturer still has a contact in AU.

a grey market warranty is a business level warranty and the manufacturer is under no obligation to help you if the business you bought it through goes broke or if the third party warranty insurer they normally use doesn't honour the warranty, as many of them do when it isn't viable.

that said, there are some excellent direct importers around....

Wrong or you do not understand what I have said.
The importesr have the same obligation to honor the warranty as the manufacturer.
In the case of Nikon they do not take responsability of gery imports but in any case that are using 3rd party repair business to repair faulty cameras.
The grey importer form where I got my firs camera is using the same repair that Nikon.
In the case of Canon, is better because Canon repair cameras imported by grey importers.
I think that I have said before: look into the reputation of the importes and would be OK.

[Chucaro]

We are talking about a $1000 camera, which in 2 years be worth Zipp.

I still suggest going to a store and betting some hands on experience.
I am a huge Nikon fan, at the entry range I believe you get more dollar value with Canon.

And as far as Pro forums go, they highlight problems which is good and most pro's use Nikon which is also good but they will be biased. Bit like land Rover forums I guess.
Pro's use mainly Nikon, Canon is more amateur stuff sure but for what he is wanting, I do believe its worth a look.

Regarding the pro forums and Nikon/Canon I have to say that in the avian forums the use of Canons is 2 to 1 to Nikon because the cost of the lens.
However because a lot of problems with Canon in the last 3 years or so a lot of Canon users are going to Nikon now.
I am not biased, the Canon lens are excellent and a package of Canon 40D with a 300mm F/4 IS lens it is awesome and the best value for dollar and quality.
I selected the D200 instead of the Canon 40D because the sealed body and a lot of problems with the software when the 40D was launched.

[incisor]

Wrong or you do not understand what I have said..

i understand exactly what you said and it is wrong :P

[Chucaro]

i understand exactly what you said and it is wrong :P

Inc if you like to disagree it is your privilege.
I just going for what the Dept of Fair Trade informed to me and as a result enforced the importer of a product to honor the warranty.
I am confident that the DFT and the Commercial Lawers that worked on the act know the law and it have served me well

[big guy]

Regarding the pro forums and Nikon/Canon I have to say that in the avian forums the use of Canons is 2 to 1 to Nikon because the cost of the lens.
However because a lot of problems with Canon in the last 3 years or so a lot of Canon users are going to Nikon now.
I am not biased, the Canon lens are excellent and a package of Canon 40D with a 300mm F/4 IS lens it is awesome and the best value for dollar and quality.
I selected the D200 instead of the Canon 40D because the sealed body and a lot of problems with the software when the 40D was launched.

Fair enough, I am not up to the most recent reliability issues.

The 40D would be a lot more than he is will ing to spend incl of lens though.
I am talking more entry range with a basic zoom etc.
Not a 300 f 2.8 or anything. Be nice though.