85L - Buying From USA

I've been eyeing up the 85L for some time now and as a friend of mine is visiting San Fransisco in August, I was thinking of whether to get her to buy it from a Calumet store there. It would save me around £400 in comparison to UK prices - calumet sells to $2099 (c. £1280), UK prices are around (£1699).

Since I can't test the lens before purchase, are there any draw backs with doing this? I did read somewhere about US sales taxes - does this get added to the price quoted? Is there anyway of reclaiming this tax like in EU countries for foreign visitors?

If I find the lens soft wide open can I still calibrate it in the uk - I'm not sure if the warranty would apply in the UK? would that be free or chargeable with Canon?

pridash wrote in post #12514673
I've been eyeing up the 85L for some time now and as a friend of mine is visiting San Fransisco in August, I was thinking of whether to get her to buy it from a Calumet store there. It would save me around £400 in comparison to UK prices - calumet sells to $2099 (c. £1280), UK prices are around (£1699).

Since I can't test the lens before purchase, are there any draw backs with doing this? I did read somewhere about US sales taxes - does this get added to the price quoted? Is there anyway of reclaiming this tax like in EU countries for foreign visitors?

If I find the lens soft wide open can I still calibrate it in the uk - I'm not sure if the warranty would apply in the UK? would that be free or chargeable with Canon?

I'm not sure on a lot of your questions as I don't know duty's/taxes/out of US warranty/ect...

But I can tell you this - I have yet to hear of an out of the box, "bad copy" of the 85L. You can pretty much rest assured you'll get a great copy.

At least here in the US, Canon just cares about the date of purchase on the receipt. So if you're within a year of purchase, then they'll service it. I would assume most service centers around the world would be accommodating as well, as photographers do tend to travel.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12515097
I'm not sure on a lot of your questions as I don't know duty's/taxes/out of US warranty/ect...

But I can tell you this - I have yet to hear of an out of the box, "bad copy" of the 85L. You can pretty much rest assured you'll get a great copy.

TaDa wrote in post #12515133
At least here in the US, Canon just cares about the date of purchase on the receipt. So if you're within a year of purchase, then they'll service it. I would assume most service centers around the world would be accommodating as well, as photographers do tend to travel.

Thanks for info guys...and it's reassuring hearing about the reliabilty of the 85L's out of the box!

Anyone comment on US sales taxes? Here in the UK, you're generally quoted with VAT included, unless otherwise specified...is that the same in the US? And any idea of claiming it back?

pridash wrote in post #12515173
Thanks for info guys...and it's reassuring hearing about the reliabilty of the 85L's out of the box!

Anyone comment on US sales taxes? Here in the UK, you're generally quoted with VAT included, unless otherwise specified...is that the same in the US? And any idea of claiming it back?

It varies from state to state. If you buy in NY, its about 8% more then the lens, so say its $2,000 - add $160 for taxes.

Can your friend order it from a company like B&H Photo and have it shipped to him in San Fran? If so, you can avoid state sales tax all together.

In the states, we pay sales tax based on city and/or state. San Fran is 9.5% I believe, so you will pay that on top of the list price. If the item is purchased from another state, most stores will not charge sales tax unless it's a state in which they have a business. So as an example, if you live in San Fran, and order it from B&H, it will be just the price of the lens plus shipping.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12515196
It varies from state to state. If you buy in NY, its about 8% more then the lens, so say its $2,000 - add $160 for taxes.

Can your friend order it from a company like B&H Photo and have it shipped to him in San Fran? If so, you can avoid state sales tax all together.

TaDa wrote in post #12515209
In the states, we pay sales tax based on city and/or state. San Fran is 9.5% I believe, so you will pay that on top of the list price. If the item is purchased from another state, most stores will not charge sales tax unless it's a state in which they have a business. So as an example, if you live in San Fran, and order it from B&H, it will be just the price of the lens plus shipping.

Jheeze - tax in the uk is 20%!! Anyway, that's good info.

As regards shipping to SF from NY - would B&H do that to a hotel address? In my mind I would have thought that sounded dodgy, but again I did read somewhere that it was possible!

pridash wrote in post #12515266
Jheeze - tax in the uk is 20%!! Anyway, that's good info.

As regards shipping to SF from NY - would B&H do that to a hotel address? In my mind I would have thought that sounded dodgy, but again I did read somewhere that it was possible!

Maybe.... not sure... maybe. You would probably have to have that called in over the phone is my guess.

I've had gear delivered to a hotel before. Give them a call and ask.

Also, have your friend call the hotel and tell them that he will be having something shipped. I've had packages waiting for me upon check-in before as well. No problems.

Have your friend drive to Oregon and buy the lens there, they have no sales tax.

I do not know myself, but I would make sure you know about the customs declarations your friend may have to deal with when coming back to UK. Might look a little funny, if your (non camera) friend, has to explain what a box with a new $2000 lens is doing in the suitcase.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12515277
Maybe.... not sure... maybe. You would probably have to have that called in over the phone is my guess.

TaDa wrote in post #12515299
I've had gear delivered to a hotel before. Give them a call and ask.

Also, have your friend call the hotel and tell them that he will be having something shipped. I've had packages waiting for me upon check-in before as well. No problems.

Ok, will email B&H with an enquiry then...I'm still wary of where I would stand if the package doesn't turn up at the hotel though! Kinda worries me given the money involved!

rick_reno wrote in post #12515400
Have your friend drive to Oregon and buy the lens there, they have no sales tax.

Not possible...she's on her own and only in SF for a week (and it's a busy one). I'm trying to make this as easy as possible for her!

lilkngster wrote in post #12515408
I do not know myself, but I would make sure you know about the customs declarations your friend may have to deal with when coming back to UK. Might look a little funny, if your (non camera) friend, has to explain what a box with a new $2000 lens is doing in the suitcase.

Do US customs routinely check that? Of all the times I've travelled abroad, I've never been checked...especially when arriving back home! Anyway, I could always give her my old 30D body which I don't use (due to be sold) to explain the reason why though!

pridash wrote in post #12515528
Ok, will email B&H with an enquiry then...I'm still wary of where I would stand if the package doesn't turn up at the hotel though! Kinda worries me given the money involved!



Not possible...she's on her own and only in SF for a week (and it's a busy one). I'm trying to make this as easy as possible for her!



Do US customs routinely check that? Of all the times I've travelled abroad, I've never been checked...especially when arriving back home! Anyway, I could always give her my old 30D body which I don't use (due to be sold) to explain the reason why though!

US customs won't check anything.

The only issues i've had with customs was entering France, they'd spend a lot of time with my laptop. I was working on crypto systems at the time, and bringing cypto into France wasn't kosher. I had a clean laptop for travel, I was having to go there often.
Your friend shouldn't have any problems with the lens.

B&H will get the package there, they're excellent to do business with.

Yup, order it from B&H online, ship it to the hotel, you should get it from New York to San Franscico in about 4 days with the slowest shipping, quicker if you want to pay more............and you will completely avoid the sales tax, just the $2,099 plus a little shippping of $18.80. I buy all my gear from B&H, wonderful customer service, plus you can't beat tax free!

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …AA_EF_85mm_f_1_​2L_II.html

Have you tried "kerso" on eBay or talkphotography? He was doing them for £1349 at the end of last year, I don't have an up-to-date price list though.