Ok I'm convinced 17-40L: Las Vegas or Los Angeles

[scorp888]

Ok, I'm going to "L" :twisted:

I'm going to get myself a 17-40L.

Now I'm visiting LA and LV in the next couple of weeks. USA has got to me cheaper than UK.

But can anyone offer advise as to get the Lens in LA or Las Vegas?

Or B&H and posted to the Hotel?

thanks in advance.

[petiot]

sorry i can t give you any adress for shopping. But i can tell you that the 17-40 is worth it. I just just received mine this morning :) First L, and so far i have been impressed. Get pne, you wont be desapointed.

And a 17mm in las vegas, that is going to make so very nice photo! ;)

Dan

[scorp888]

I'm also quite tempted by the 16-35.

Has anyone looked at both and still gone 17-40?

[SnJPhoto]

I'mnot sure of Las Vegas, but in Los Angeles is Samy's Camera for me.

www.samyscamera.com

They have a few locations, so they should be near whereever your going.


Scott

[Jesper]

If you want a comparison between the 16-35 f/2.8 L and 17-40 f/4 L, look here: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/canon-17-40.shtml

Both of those lenses are optically very good. The 16-35 can open up one more stop - you have to decide for yourself if you're willing to pay twice as much just for one stop extra.

I don't think it would be a good idea to let B&H mail the lens to your hotel... what if something unexpected happens, for example it takes longer than expected and you have to leave before the lens arrives...

[defordphoto]

Get it. Samy's. LA. Prices comparable to B&H. One of the top camera suppliers in the US.

[scorp888]

http://www.samys.com/

This SAMY's?

If so, thanks.

It's always nice to go to a shop that someone else reccomends as opposed to picking one at random.

[Belmondo]

Go to Samy's Fairfax location. It's their flagship store and has a lot of inventory.

You can buy it from B&H or Adorama and have it shipped to a hotel. That would save you any local sales tax, but will cost you shipping. You'll pay California sales tax at Samy's, but the overall cost will be only slightly more than you would pay B&H for the lens plus shipping.

Enjoy your trip. Take pictures. :lol:

[scorp888]

Do you still have to pay local taxes even as a jonny furriner?

Hmm. Anyone know of any stores in Las Vegas then, as if LA sales tax is 20% and LV is 0%, that's going to make a big difference.

[Belmondo]

I'm afraid so.

One thing worth checking on....
Samy's occasionally has sales where they don't charge sales tax. I know they do it on Mother's Day, Veteran's Day, and I'm sure, a couple other days each year. You might call and ask when their next 'no sales tax' sale is being held. If you're in town, it might work. Also, sometimes if you get the right salesman at Samy's he might just do something for you, all in the interest of international relations, of course.

[Belmondo]

Do you still have to pay local taxes even as a jonny furriner?

Hmm. Anyone know of any stores in Las Vegas then, as if LA sales tax is 20% and LV is 0%, that's going to make a big difference.

I don't know where these numbers came from because the California sales tax is 7.75%, and Nevada's is similar, maybe 7.5%.

[psk4363]

Hi Scorp888,

I was in this position last January. I take it that you're a UK resident. If so you will save loads buy buying in the States. I (may have) bought the 17-40L in LA after lots of advice from the members here from Canoga Cameras - http://www.canogacamera.com/e/env/0001n9JH79yLKO4sZo023I3/index.html?link=/index.html

Whilst I was there I (may have - HM Customs benefit) bought a 50 f1.8 whilst there for £35 :D :D :D :D .

When you're in LA make sure you take a trip to Palm Springs - no, not for camera dealers, but for a cable-car ride up to Mount San Jacinto (have I spelled it right Tom?) - near to where our Tom (Belmondo) lives - absulutely superb. Then there's a trip to Zion National Park - both great places to try out your new 17-40! 8)

Cheers,
Barry

[psk4363]

Just to add - the dealers I spoke to wouldn't post to a hotel! :cry:

Barry

[cmM]

California has high sales taxes. Nevada doesn't. If you find a reputable store in Vegas, I think you will get a better price overall....
..
... well, if I thik about it, you'll probably save like $20 if the tax is the only difference. So I say get it wherever you find a better price.

[Belmondo]

When you're in LA make sure you take a trip to Palm Springs - no, not for camera dealers, but for a cable-car ride up to Mount San Jacinto (have I spelled it right Tom?) - near to where our Tom (Belmondo) lives - absulutely superb.

Your spelling is perfect. Here's a shot of the tramway I posted a while back:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=35606&highlight=tramway

[psk4363]

Wow Tom, simply wow. Lots of memories flooding back now!

Barry 8)

[Vegas Poboy]

Since I live here in Las Vegas I must say Samy's would be alot better. I purchase most of my gear from B&H. The stores here is around 20+% higher & the sales tax is 7.5%. Depending on what you purchase. I believe I got my 17-40 from B&H. If you would like here is the two top camera stores here & give them a call.
Casey's Camera 702-736-0890
Sahara Camera 702-457-3333

Good Luck,

[johndm]

Ok, I'm going to "L" :twisted:

I'm going to get myself a 17-40L.

Now I'm visiting LA and LV in the next couple of weeks. USA has got to me cheaper than UK.

But can anyone offer advise as to get the Lens in LA or Las Vegas?

Or B&H and posted to the Hotel?

thanks in advance.

I was over on West Coast USA last month. I planned to get my 300D over there, but read up a bit on HM Customs. They CAN tell if your gear is UK or US stock via any serial number, and if its a US item, if duty has been paid previously. Still got 'some accessories' in Palm Springs though...Found a Ritz Cameras in the big shopping mall, and there is a Best Buy opposite if thats any use for you.

regards

[scorp888]

Thanks for all the help, as I'm going to LA, then Vegas, it helps a lot to know that I'll get a beeter deal in Samys than Vegas, even with the Sales tax difference.

I'd hate to pass up the 16-35 or the 17-40 (still not completely decided) for $1600 in samy's only to find it's $2400 in Vegas.

thanks all for the help, if anyone else has any nice places to visit and photograph in LA or LV, I'd appreciate it.

[psk4363]

LA - Crystal Cove, down the Pacific Coast Highway, beautiful, delapidated, ex-artists houses, right on the beach. :shock:

Vegas - Palm Springs (for Mount San Jacinto), Mount Hutchinson, and Zion National Park. 8)

Food? Find the 'Outback' range of restaurants - wow! :D

Cheers,
Barry

[jalafer]

I have the 17-40L and I am very happy with it, but I read today that Sigma is preseting a new lens 18-50/2,8 very compact, only valid for APS sensors. So it is compact and light.
Maybe this is worth to wait ....

[psk4363]

No way! Sigma cannot and wil not out perform Canon L ! Get the Canon 17-40L

Barry

[Vegas Poboy]

Even though Vegas is desert it still has plenty to shoot at. Here's a short list.
Red Rock Canyon
Valley Of Fire
Plenty of lights up & down the strip
Hoover Dam Lake Mead area
Grand Canyon is Close Arizona
Zion National Park is Close UTAH

It all depends how long you plan on being here & the transportation you have set up.

[psk4363]

Damn - how could I forget about Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire? Alcohol having an effect?

Seriously though, they are both fantastic places.

Barry

[Canuck]

I'm also quite tempted by the 16-35.

Has anyone looked at both and still gone 17-40?

I went for the 16-35 in the end, liked the F2.8 and it has come in handy a few times taking pics for friends. I really like the bokeh on it.

BTW, the sales tax in NYC is 8.5%, almost creeping up on the 17.5% VAT here in England! Then again in Canada, it is 7-8% GST and 7-8% PST (read 14%-16% tax) last I knew about 3 yrs ago in Ontario.

[johndm]

Thanks for all the help, if anyone else has any nice places to visit and photograph in LA or LV, I'd appreciate it.

Where shall I start.. :roll: From LA, get to Palm Springs for the Tramway. Grand Canyon to test the wide angle. Take the aeroplane rather than the helicopter for a flight over, as its more stable for shooting. Try and get over to Monument Valley, the rock formations and drive are stunning. While in Vegas, take a short trip to the Hoover Dam..awesome. Out of Vegas, Death Valley has some great photo opertunities. Further up is Yosemite National Park, another must see place. Then either cut across to San Fran, or if you have time, a day north gets you to Lassen Volcanic Park. Over to the coast, you can the drive The Valley of the Giants...VERY big trees. Down Highway 1 to San Francisco. South from there, Carmel is wondeful (Clint Eastwood Mayor?), stunning coastline where you need to stop every half mile for a shot, all the way to San Simeon where you can get breathtaking sunsets. Hearst Castle is nearby. Continue on Highway 1 south to Morro Bay (nice rock there), Santa Barbara, Malibu, Hollywood etc.
A good plce to stay in LA is Manhattan Beach area, handy for everywhere, and the beach is cool. If you rent a car, you need a Caddy Deville. (You can't drive around in a Nissan..shameful)

regards