Going to Austin in July - best price for 20D ?

[Pef]

Hello,

I'm going to Austin late july and I would know where I can find EOS 20D with good price.
I'm french so I have to get back it in France.

Thank you for your suggestions !

PeF.

[Denny G]

Try this store. I have bought from them many times. Prices are competive.

http://www.precision-camera.com/

[alskdjfhg]

You could also check out FRYs. Its a giant electronics store and also has a camera/lens section. I bought a rebel from there.

[Bob_A]

Try this store. I have bought from them many times. Prices are competive.

http://www.precision-camera.com/

Precision camera is a bit expensive ($1499.95), I would think a good price would be closer to what B&H sells it for ($1329.95 before the $100 rebate).

Bob

[djroga]

If you do go to Precision be sure to speak with either Jerry or his wife. They started the business basically "from a garage" and have built it into an amazingly good camera store/service.

Good staff, friendly and know their stuff. I have dealt there for years ... heresy I know but I bought the second Nikon F4 they sold (and the store was MUCH smaller then). Reallky good selection of all major brands - I buy Canon and Nikon items there and happily pay a bit more.

Today Precision is a large store with large staff, but you still feel special when you go in.

[Adam Hicks]

Second Fry's Electronics in Austin... or just Best Buy. They have good prices on the Rebel and 20D. Not sure what the exchange rate is, but it should be in your favor.

While you're here don't forget to try some delicious Freedom Fries!

:)

Adam

[Jerry99]

Hi Pef,

You can also try CompUSA, located in Alboretum (practically vis-a-vis fo Embassy Suites Hotel)
Last year I've bought my Digital Rebel there. You can check prices at www.compusa.com.

Jerry
__20D__17-85 IS USM__420ex

[pierrot]

While you're here don't forget to try some delicious Freedom Fries! :) Adam
I was thinking those childish jokes were over? :mrgreen:

[Pef]

Thank you for all your answers !

French fries or freedom fries, whatever do you call them, I think it's more from Belgium than France...;-)

In Texas, do I have to pay taxes ?

And another question...What to look for in Austin ?

[ddelallata]

The sales tax in Texas varies by city and county but it averages about 8.25%. If you like drinking with college students you can go to 6th Street. THere you will find plenty of bars/pubs to suit all of your drinking needs :). There's really not much to do in Austin. San Antonio is a 50 minute drive from Austin and has many toursit attractions in the downtown area. There you will find plenty of good shopping and dining opportunities all year-round. San Antonio also has a good theme park with plenty of roller coasters called Six Flags Fiesta Texas. That is a great place to visit in the summer months, but it does get pretty hot in San Antonio.

[Adam Hicks]

There may not be much to do in Austin, but if you REALLY don't want anything to do, you should try Brownsville. :) Actually I'm going to be in Edinburg, TX for 3 weeks.. what a beating.

Austin has some great roads, some fantastic Texas BBQ (I just did an article for the magazine on Texas BBQ, covered Kreuz, Saltlick, Smittys, Coopers, etc.) And there's often good music playing in and around 6th st. depending on your tastes.

Just try not to make anyone angry. Us Texans carry lots of guns and we're not afraid to execute. Or so the rumors have it.

Adam

[BigBlueDodge]

If you are coming to Austin, it might be cheapest for you to buy from www.butterflyphoto.com ($1349 WITH kit lens) or www.buydig.com and then have them over night it to your hotel so you get it next day. That will be cheaper than buying from any of the mentioned places in Texas because of the high sales tax. Most of the 20D with kit lens I see in chain stores are running $1499, when you add in sales tax that will be $1622. I bought my 20D with kit lens from Butter Fly Photo, and had them over night it to me, and it only came to $1380 something before rebate. By going the online route, I saved nearly $250 from buying locally.

Going in late July, all I can say is be ready for some HEAT. It will probably be high 90's, low 100's at that time of year. Those not accustomed to it can easily overheat and endanger themselves. Austin is the state capital of Texas as well as being the home of The University of Texas at Austin (50,000+ students). Austin is known for its music scene, and yes for 6th street. San Antonio is a short drive away and is more tourist friendly. There is a major them park, as well as the River Walk (fantastic picture opportunities for your new 20D). And last but not least, there is the Alamo, the storied church that lives in so many Texans hearts. This is a must see, and another great photo opportunity.

And the comment about Texans carrying guns, well its true. Just stay out of the streets around high noon, and no one gets hurt from the shoot outs :)

[ddelallata]

Adam Hicks is right about Brownsville, there's nothing to do in Brownsville. But South Padre Island is about 20 miles away and is great in the summer months. You can take plenty of good pics of the Gulf of Mexico and there's even an old light house at Port Isabell. You can also walk across one of three bridges to go to Mexico for some cheap curios and dining. But you definetely have to visit San Antonio's River Walk if you are going to visit Austin.

[12345Michael54321]

Probably 95% of the questions of the form "I'm going to be visiting <insert US city HERE> in the near future. Can someone recommend a good camera store there?" can be (and usually are) properly answered in the form of:

"I know of only <insert tiny number HERE> halfway decent camera shops in <CITY>. They are <NAMES and ADDRESSES>. But you'd probably be much better off with mail order from B&H."

No, it's not always true. But it's almost always true.

Have your neighbor arrange with B&H to have the DSLR delivered to him in Austin. (Yes, this is possible.)

And while there will be a small shipping charge involved, there will be no sales tax. The savings on sales tax will far outweigh the cost of shipping. (If you buy from a store in Texas, you will have to pay sales tax. And no, it won't be refunded because you're an international visitor.)

B&H is extremely reputable, with a huge inventory in stock for immediate shipment, and highly competitive prices. You can deal with them with confidence.

Heck, you could probably order from B&H and have the camera shipped to you in France, at a lower final cost than if you were to purchase the camera in France. Although in that case I suppose France might impose duties, fees, etc., which you'd prefer to avoid, and which you believe can be avoided by making the purchase while you're here in the US. (I will refrain from any further speculation with regard to a possible desire on your part to keep as much of your money as possible in your pocket, and out of the tax man's pocket, just as I will refrain from musing upon the legal and/or ethical considerations, thereof.)

[12345Michael54321]

Going in late July, all I can say is be ready for some HEAT. It will probably be high 90's, low 100's at that time of year.
On the off chance our French visitor isn't completely familiar with the Fahrenheit scale, normal human body temperature is 98.6 degrees. Kinda puts it in perspective, eh?

Of course, most places will be air conditioned. Generally, to uncomfortably cool levels. (It's sort of how winter in Moscow tends to be very cold, so everyplace is overheated to uncomfortable levels.)

On the bright side, I'm glad to learn someone from Europe is going to be visiting Austin, TX. All too many foreign visitors to the US limit themselves to Manhattan, Washington DC, Disney World, or southern California. Four of the places least representative of what the United States is really like.

[cfcRebel]

Hi PeF,
July in Austin is quite hot. So you might want to check out Barton Spring near downtown Austin. Town Lake(also near downtown) is a good place to kayak, canoe, or just hang out. If u like live music, pub, beer, then 6th Street is the place at night. If you are a bird watcher or you like bird photography, then you will like Hornsby Bend near Austin Berstrom International Airport.
If you like hiking/waterfall and you can drive about 30 more miles west of Austin, then you should check out Hamilton Pool. I just went there this past weekend. Check out this thread. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=76610

To check out some hiking place near Austin, go to http://www.texashiking.com/ and search by Region:Hill country.

Hope you have a stay in Austin! ;)