No more MK-II's in the UK until late fall.

I can see that coming, KennyG. But the fact that i'm paying so much more just because i'm in UK really doesn't make me happy. With the quality of Canon cam, what's the odds it'll break down? If it does break, i'm sure the money i saved up on buying the cam will cover the cost of repair; if it's my fault or somehow damage the cam, i'm sure that's where insurance comes in handy. Either way, i'd buy my camera NOT from UK. Besides, i don't need to pay import tax/duty, so it saves even more for me on any purchase i make.

I also heard that 60% of UK pro cameras are purchased from the States, simply for the saving on cost, and their stock levels. And of course, it could be just a rumour, but a very believable one.

I know very few pros that source their cameras from the US, lenses yes. You have to rely heavily on CPS or the N***n equivalent when you shoot for money to make sure you have access to support when you need it and, as I said, they more than just frown on imports.

As far as problems with the pro end of cameras is concerned, virtually all the early 1D models had to go back. Some MK-II's have had problems out of the box with the orientation sensor and at least a couple I am aware of have what looks like a faulty Digic chip. These are UK and US sourced by the way. So, there is no such thing as guaranteed perfection, even at that end of the spectrum. If you use your camera purely for pleasure then the few weeks turn round to the US may not bother you, but if it has to pay its way, trust me it is a problem.

I thought we all had to pay duty/tax and then claim it back, or is there a Canon smuggling ring I don't know about?

supply for this camera in Austrlia is just as bad. My dealer got 2 bodies in may, and 1 in june and thats all. Luckily I was number 3 onthe list and I got mine. I hate to think how long before the others on the waiting list will get their camera.

Perry

KennyG wrote:
I thought we all had to pay duty/tax and then claim it back, or is there a Canon smuggling ring I don't know about?

It's just my personal ground allows me not to pay any duty, nothing dodgy, it's all legit. And after 5 imports from B&H, i got to know the people at custome pretty well, they r all very friendly and trying to help.

If you wanna save money on another L lens to ur huge L family, hit me up 8)

I posted this question a couple of weeks ago and received not a single reply, so I will try again here…

Could anyone who has a MkII in the UK tell me when and who they got it from, and when they placed their order.

I just want to reassure myself that what my supplier (Park Cameras) is telling me is true, and also to get some ammunition to beat them up with


N

Just to share some more pain, I'm now told by Canon Sweden that I'm not likely to see a camera before September-October, even though some of the cameras I'm on a waiting list for were ordered in January.

I'm investigating importing from the US, it will be slightly more expensive, and there may be an issue of having to buy an international warranty, but I'm not happy having to wait until fall and fading light to get the camera.

The delivery situation re lenses and other accessories is just as bad, *everything* seems back-ordered and with no delivery date. I've now bought three lenses, and some smaller things like filters and hoods, from B&H and even with shipping and our extreme Swedish sales tax I've saved a minimum of 25% on each item.

I feel sorry for the local retailers, when more people wake up to the possibilities of buying abroad they will have a hard time - I do try to support local stores, but not at any cost.

Maybe things will break lose after the Summer Olympics is over. I'm sure a lot of Canon equipment is being sucked up by that. And since it's in Europe this year, it makes sense that there is a lot of demand for camera equipment over there, taxing your supply.

There will probably be a lot of "Demo's" show up after the Olympics as well as agencies that bought extra equipment no longer need it.

Mike

Well, it can very well be true that Euro 2004 and Olympics sucked all the 1D MK II away, but i doubt u'll see many demos on the shelf for sale or agencies wanna get rid of them after the events. Instead, we should expect loads of second-hand 1D floating about. Why keep the old one when u have a much better cam in hand? I reckon a lot of pro snappers will keep MK II and their old 1D, unless they have more than one MK II body, then definitely u'll see a lot of 1D bodies for photographers like us to snap them up.