future owner

[gunnerx]

Nice site. Been looking for proper four thirds forums to learn new things but everything seems to be geared towards Nikon/Canon mounts. I ordered the 2 Lens kit from DELL and it\'s slowly making its way to me.

I\'ve been doing a lot of reading to get as ready as I can when the camera gets here. Where does everyone get their accessories from? I\'m interested in getting the HDL-3 and FL-36. Oh yeah, I live in Toronto, Canada.

[First Light]

Greetings gunnerx,

I\'ve purchase a lot of gear from eBay (http://www.ebay.com). Several camera dealers sell on eBay and you can purchase new gear with full factory warranties at a discount. But you need to do your homework first and know what stuff costs so you\'ll recognize what is and is not a good deal. Olympus sells a lot on eBay, too—mostly factory refurbished and discontinued stuff.

I also purchase from B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com). They\'re a trustworthy vendor who\'s been at it for quite a few years. Some of their stuff has good prices. Some does not. I use B&H for a baseline for price comparisons on eBay. If I need something and can\'t save 20% or more (including shipping) on eBay, then I usually buy what I need from B&H.

I\'ve heard that Arlington Camera in Texas (http://www.arlingtoncamera.com) has good prices. However, I haven\'t purchased anything from them and don\'t know if they sell internationally. I\'ve never been impressed with their website.

[Ian]

First Light wrote:
Greetings gunnerx,

I\'ve heard that Arlington Camera in Texas (http://www.arlingtoncamera.com) has good prices. However, I haven\'t purchased anything from them and don\'t know if they sell internationally. I\'ve never been impressed with their website.

Arlington are tops and they certainly sell internationally, I have bought loads of gear from them and I live in the UK.

[gunnerx]

Ian wrote:
First Light wrote:
Greetings gunnerx,

I\'ve heard that Arlington Camera in Texas (http://www.arlingtoncamera.com) has good prices. However, I haven\'t purchased anything from them and don\'t know if they sell internationally. I\'ve never been impressed with their website.

Arlington are tops and they certainly sell internationally, I have bought loads of gear from them and I live in the UK.

That\'s good to know! I will check out their site and pricing.

First Light,

Thanks for the tips.

As for my background, I have a Canon EOS Rebel 35mm, Sony DSC-F505v and Canon SD300. I have been wanting a DSLR for so long but they were out of my budget. However, the new DSLRs are definitely much more affordable now.

[admin_old]

I have bought a lot from Arlington camera. either drop them a note or give them a call.

[Den]

What\'s the sting on customs and excise for the UK, Ian?

[gunnerx]

tspore wrote:
I have bought a lot from Arlington camera. either drop them a note or give them a call.

Too late, I purchased the FL-36, BLH-1 and an extra battery at B&H. Their prices are very similar to those on eBay and shipping is a lot cheaper for all the items.

I will check out prices at Arlington once I have enough money for the higher priced items like lenses.

[Ian]

Den wrote:
What\'s the sting on customs and excise for the UK, Ian?

It\'s bad news. 4% import duty and 17.5% VAT on top, and that includes postage costs too, robbin b@rstew@rds! Dunno if Jim Porter is still there but he used to do me a great deal. Very fast transit and everything. I saved literally thousands of pounds! :cheer:

Post edited by: Ian, at: 2005/09/12 15:25

[pixelmaniaman]

Hi, firstlight, I usec to live in UK, London & the Essex boy!

[alekko]

I see you’re already getting the new gear. I’ll suggest you for the next time to check Henry’s in downtown store (Queen & Church). They have great prices and very knowledgeable sales person who owns Oly and he’s always patient and willing to help.

I always buy all my equipment there. I’m maybe paying little more, but it is worth it, especially that they offer 15 days full money back and after that, up to 30 day refund to buy something else in the store. I like that security very much.

By the time you get the gears from some online shop, pay the shipping/handling and taxes and who knows what else, you already enjoy in it, for maybe few % more. Also, you can sleep at night peacefully, knowing that if something goes wrong with the gear, you can easily return it/replace it or get the money back if you don’t like it.

Just a suggestion.

Cheers,
Alex.

[KellysCayman]

I live in Winnipeg and the cheapest place in Canada I have found it www.cameracanada.com.. Don\'t buy online, call or email them as they tend to beat the online price roght off the bat!

I have purchased the 50mm and the 50-200mm from them and I have been very happy.

If you are looking for the best deal on CF Cards check out www.softmagic.ca.
1g 50x speed under $90 free shipping. http://www.softmagic.ca/product.asp?pf_id=CF%2F1024%2DS Great cards, I have two..

Hope this helps.

Kelly

[gunnerx]

Thanks for the suggestions fellow Canucks! :lol: The main reason that I shop a lot in US stores is the amazing exchange rate we have right now. Also, I find that only 2 in 10 packages that I get shipped through USPS get hit by customs so yes it is a gamble but in the end I believe that the savings are definitely worth it.

I actually work a short distance from Henry\'s downtown Toronto. I work right at BCE Place on Yonge and Front st. I will probably go there once I get my gear to check out all the other stuff.

Kelly, thanks for the tip. I managed to get a great deal from my friend on the Kingston Elite 2g for just over $150 CAD each tax in! I made sure to ask him for 2. :woohoo:

Post edited by: gunnerx, at: 2005/09/12 22:40

[mikefellh]

Although I got my camera and a lot of accessories at Henry\'s/Henry\'s Outlet Centre, Vistek.ca (just down the street from Henry\'s) has some Oly items cheaper (like the FL-CB05 & BLM-1 battery).

[alekko]

mikefellh wrote:
Although I got my camera and a lot of accessories at Henry\'s/Henry\'s Outlet Centre, Vistek.ca (just down the street from Henry\'s) has some Oly items cheaper (like the FL-CB05 & BLM-1 battery).

Yes, this is true.

I always check prices on both websites and than ask for price match. No problems. When you constantly buying from one place and one sales person, everything is possible.

Alex.

[mikefellh]

alekko wrote:
When you constantly buying from one place and one sales person, everything is possible.


I never had that luck...a few weeks ago I had to buy a strap from the dSLR side of the store, and then the RM-1 from the point & shoot side. The reason being the dSLR side said the RM-1 was out of stock, meanwhile I saw it sitting on the shelf on the point & shoot side.

Have to be honest though that the Canadian shops don\'t have everything worthwhile...just after I bought my camera I had to get the CS-3SH case from B&H since no one in Canada has heard of it, and B&H had it in stock. I also want to get the E-300 superior eyecup from Boca.com (because again the Canadian stores have no idea of what it is I want, or have any idea if they have such a thing):

http://www.bocaphoto.com/products/new/olympus/index.htm

I have to admit though that I\'ve spent a lot of money in the Henry\'s Outlet Centre (besides the money I spent on my E-300 there).

[llpoolej]

Welcome aboard. I think you will love your new E-300 and you certainly can\'t beat the value! I love the Oly lenses and colors. I just adore my camera :)

I have bought off of Ebay, B&H and Arlington Camera. Arlington is by far the tops in customer service. They even email my husband to remind him to buy me(what I want) for my anniversary and Birthday. My husband is always so impressed, he does what they tell them :) Oh, and their prices are the lowest too

[admin_old]

That is funny. I wish I could get messages like that for my wife. I would never screw up.
T :laugh:

[Den]

Slightly off topic - but, whilst we\'re on the subject of shops... Great Western Cameras in Swindon is fantastic for E-Series stuff. They\'ve got an eBay presence too (gwcameras) but their shop is equally good. Contact details readily available via Google.

Den

[llpoolej]

Tony, I have been married to this man for 11 years. I have been with him for 13. For probably 10 of those years I would tell him I didn\'t want anything for \"holiday du jour\". Each time I would be hurt and mad that he didn\'t get me ANYTHING. (note to men, \"do not get me anything\" does not mean get me nothing. buy flowers, a trinket, something that you have to think about even if the $$$ is very low. No one wants to be *forgotten*)

So, I have started being more stealth yet firm on what I want. It has worked. It has worked so well that now he waits for those reminders. He was going to buy the 11-22 from Jim for my birthday, had called requesting a price but wanted to see if there was a special on it. He waited too late and told me. I got a new laptop instead, which I really NEEDED more. The trouble he went to was wonderful though

I managed a tack shop when I was in college(horse stuff store) and I set up a \"Bridle shower list\" Which was a cutesy gift list. I handed out cards that spouses /parents could have and call for an idea list. Worked great.