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Hi all,
I was pointed to this site from another forum and after looking around here, I think it's great!
Well after a while of saving up, I finally have enough money to splash out on a new lens for my Nikon D70. As I do a lot of sports photography, my new lens will be a fast one, I had the Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED in mind. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lens in my pricerange (<$2000) that goes to 300mm, so 200 will have to do.
The best price in Perth I could get for this so far is $1789. However after looking around online I saw this lens for $1379 here http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au.
They say the lens is covered by 12 month warranty but will have to be sent back to them for it.
My question: Is this price difference too good to be true? Has anybody had experience with this Sydney online store? Any input is welcome.
Also, what is the general consensus on the lens?
Cheers.

I have bought two lenses (same time) from them. I picked up from the "store" as I am in Sydney. I have no warranty issues yet. The item i bought was prime lenses so it is less likely to need servercing. Other then what is written on the website I have no idea how long they have been in business. I bought it 2 months ago.

The only thing I can validate is -> yes the office (not a store) is real.

I bought a lense from them as well, you get legit tax invoice which I claimed GST back through TRS.

The price difference is due to the lense you buy from them are Grey Imports. (i.e no local warranty). So if anything went wrong you need to ship it back to Syd, and they will ship to the origin of the goods (US/HK) to fix and ship it back. (Thats what I think will happen)

Havn't done a warranty with them, not sure about the service.

cawdor wrote:Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lens in my pricerange (<$2000) that goes to 300mm, so 200 will have to do.

Is a Nikkor AF-S 300 f/4 out of the question? Around the same money as a 80-200 2.8, if you want the extra reach.

If you buy it for $1379 you can then get a TC which will get you to 300 and still have money left over from the $2k

If f4 is not too slow you'll find the Sigma EX 100-300 f4 quite an accomplished performer and well inside your budget.

Thanks for the responses guys, I appreciate it. I do need the speed, so anything slower than 2.8 is out of the question. I also need the zoom so a prime lens is too restrictive for my purposes.
So at this stage I'm thinking the money I save I can put aside for shipping the lens back should any warranty issues occur. Local warranties are 12 months as well aren't they? So I'm not really losing out on warranty.
I was just a little surprised at the price difference - usually I stay away if it's too good to be true. But I think these guys are reputable so I think I'll go ahead. Can't wait for my new lens
How does the Nikkor compare to the Sigma APO 70-200mm F 2.8 EX DG/HSM?

cawdor wrote:How does the Nikkor compare to the Sigma APO 70-200mm F 2.8 EX DG/HSM?

Pls. do the search, In the Equipments Review section we have had few recently thread are talking about Nikkor vs Sigma.

If price is a pressing concern, Camera Exchange in Melbourne usually has the mid-90s vintage Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8 2nd-hand for <$1000, with a 3-month warranty. I bought one there early this year. BTW, AF isn't especially quick on this lens.

--Chuan

hangdog wrote:If price is a pressing concern, Camera Exchange in Melbourne usually has the mid-90s vintage Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8 2nd-hand for <$1000, with a 3-month warranty. I bought one there early this year. BTW, AF isn't especially quick on this lens.

--Chuan

Why should people buy an used 80-200 AF for that such of money? the brand new AF-D 80-200/f2.8 is ranging from $1250.00 - $1300.00.
I have seen few of the veteran 80-200 AF, trading on this board from $600.00 - $800.00 in good or mint condition in the past.

By saying they sell for <$1000, this covers the ~$650-$850 that Camera Exchange typically charges, including a 3-month warranty. I paid just $500 for mine, as the Nikon sticker had fallen off the barrel...

--Chuan