have I spent my cash wisely

hey everyone.

I live in aus and tomorrow will be purchasing a new body and some lenses. Heres where my money is going

Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Body
FREE Extra Battery for Canon EOS 5D
FREE Camera and Optics Cleaning Kit
FREE Ultra Clear LCD Screen Protector
FREE Camera Bag CT300
FREE 3 Year International Warranty

$3100

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]​[FONT=Verdana]Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
FREE 3 Year International Warranty

$2385

They are going to be ordered from an AUS store.

I have $1700 remaining. Thinking about the 17-40 L aswell, but I will purchase it from bhphoto. Its alot cheaper and I wont be hit for import taxes since its below $1000.
Do you think those prices are fair?

I have the 17-40 and the 16-35, I like the 16-35 a bit better...but probably not 2x as much as that's sort of how they price out in the US. Have you looked at the 16-35 f/2.8L by chance?

*Concerned*

This looks like a grey import to me (not necessarily a bad thing, but cause for caution); it may be from an Australian store, but if it was from a Canon agency, they wouldn't specify (or even offer) an "international" warranty.
So, before even considering price, I'd take a careful look at that warranty, and be *sure* that you can take it to an authorised Canon service centre. Check this with Canon, not with the vendor.

As for the extras, most of them are worth what you pay for them: nothing.
Somewhere in there, you'll need a fast CF card too.

Sorry to sound negative, but it's better to delay your purchase, or even pay more somewhere else, if you can avoid getting stung.

Are there any *independent* ratings available for the vendor?

xarqi wrote in post #4097621
*Concerned*

This looks like a grey import to me (not necessarily a bad thing, but cause for caution); it may be from an Australian store, but if it was from a Canon agency, they wouldn't specify (or even offer) an "international" warranty.
So, before even considering price, I'd take a careful look at that warranty, and be *sure* that you can take it to an authorised Canon service centre. Check this with Canon, not with the vendor.

As for the extras, most of them are worth what you pay for them: nothing.
Somewhere in there, you'll need a fast CF card too.

Sorry to sound negative, but it's better to delay your purchase, or even pay more somewhere else, if you can avoid getting stung.

Are there any *independent* ratings available for the vendor?

thanks for the reply guys. Well they arent just an online store. They also have a shop where you can walk in an pick up your gear directly from them so I know they are not going to take my money.
I also know alot of people who have purchased through them and have been very happy.
Yes I agree the extras. I will probably not use. The second battery is however handy. They claim $350 worth of extras I doubt that, but still.

They also come with a 1 year aus warranty ontop of the 3 year international warranty

Chris Stewart wrote in post #4098246
thanks for the reply guys. Well they arent just an online store. They also have a shop where you can walk in an pick up your gear directly from them so I know they are not going to take my money.
I also know alot of people who have purchased through them and have been very happy.
Yes I agree the extras. I will probably not use. The second battery is however handy. They claim $350 worth of extras I doubt that, but still.

They also come with a 1 year aus warranty ontop of the 3 year international warranty

Phew - they don't sound too shonky then - better safe than sorry though. Just for a laugh, tell them they can keep the extras and just give you $350 off the price - then you'll find out what they are really worth. Agree about the battery. May not be a Canon brand one though.

I think youve chosen wisely
you will be happy
now the only problem is what is going to be on your list next
it never ends i tell ya
those prices look really good for aus
I bought my first kit in nz and got ripped,since then have only use bh or keh
nice buy

Prices seem a little high to me or are the prices in AUS that much more then here in the states?
I thought the 5d was around $2200.00 now.
And the 70-200 2.8 IS was around $1700.00.
Seems like those little "free" things are not so free after all.

Chris Stewart wrote in post #4097520
hey everyone.

I live in aus and tomorrow will be purchasing a new body and some lenses. Heres where my money is going

Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Body
FREE Extra Battery for Canon EOS 5D
FREE Camera and Optics Cleaning Kit
FREE Ultra Clear LCD Screen Protector
FREE Camera Bag CT300
FREE 3 Year International Warranty

$3100

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]​[FONT=Verdana]Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
FREE 3 Year International Warranty

$2385

They are going to be ordered from an AUS store.

I have $1700 remaining. Thinking about the 17-40 L aswell, but I will purchase it from bhphoto. Its alot cheaper and I wont be hit for import taxes since its below $1000.
Do you think those prices are fair?

These seem to be very good prices for an Australian store

Do you mind if I ask where you are getting them?

fade 2
you obviously dont understand the southern hemi
prices down there are generally jacked to hell and back
plus the dollar is weaker than the us
trust me,hes onto a good price
if he imported from bh and paid tax ,with $ conversion it would be more than that or at least equal

yeah mate thats a good price, Im buying a 5d with battery grip and 3 extra batteries for 3900.

I have the 70-200 2.8L IS, great lens and weatherproof. If you can live without the weather proofing and faster aperture it seems from reading reviews the EF70-200mm f4.0L IS may have the edge on image quality for much less money and less weight.

I would second racketman.

Before buying the f4 IS for my 30D, I tried my son's f2.8 IS. The latter was really heavy for my age and lack of exercise, and the depth of field at 2.8 is quite thin. Not to mention that the f4 IS is the sharpest of the four Canon 70-200 lenses.

If you do need the extra f-stop, then there is no dilemma, of course.

Edit:: forgot to add the one stop more effective IS on f4.

agedbriar wrote in post #4099240
I would second racketman.

Before buying the f4 IS for my 30D, I tried my son's f2.8 IS. The latter was really heavy for my age and lack of exercise, and the depth of field at 2.8 is quite thin. Not to mention that the f4 IS is the sharpest of the four Canon 70-200 lenses.

If you do need the extra f-stop, then there is no dilemma, of course.

Edit:: forgot to add the one stop more effective IS on f4.

well I shoot alot of urban and city scape shots?
Far out im not really sure whether I need the extra stop or not?

Chris Stewart wrote in post #4101866
well I shoot alot of urban and city scape shots?
Far out im not really sure whether I need the extra stop or not?

I'm using the 70-200 f4 IS mostly for chidren candids outside, keeping the aperture between f4 and f5.6 where the sweet spot of the lens is. For me that is a good compromise between depth of field and background separation. Many praise the great bokeh of prime lenses wide open, but I find I need at least SOME depth of field.

For static or slowly moving subjects in daylight f4 should be plenty and that's where the IS shines. For the the price difference you can probably buy a reasonably fast prime for those low light shots that may come along (speaking of spending wisely...).

I have seen several debates on this same subject on this forum. The genre that most often tips the scales towards the 70-200 f2.8 (IS or not) is inside sports. You may want to do a search here and hear the arguments firsthand.

Seem like great prices! I assume these are prices from D-D-Photographics in Sydney? If so he is reputble, I have purchased from them before, and so have others here. Im pretty sure they will look after an warranty issues for you.