going to NY, what to buy

[skyva]

Hi all, I am lucky enough to be going to Washington DC soon, and plan to go to New York for the weekend. I was wondering, given Birddogs great prices, what would you buy if you could walk into BHphoto and buy at US prices without shipping or GST? I have a d70, 50mm 1.4, 18-70mm, 28-200mm g. I have limited cash (dont we all), and think I would get most use out of a 12-24mm lens, or something like a 70-200mm.
What is the best bargain for US shoppers compared to poor Ozzy prices?
I tend towards landscapes/architectural photos, but want to get into model shooting.

[big pix]

Hi all, I am lucky enough to be going to Washington DC soon, and plan to go to New York for the weekend. I was wondering, given Birddogs great prices, what would you buy if you could walk into BHphoto and buy at US prices without shipping or GST? I have a d70, 50mm 1.4, 18-70mm, 28-200mm g. I have limited cash (dont we all), and think I would get most use out of a 12-24mm lens, or something like a 70-200mm.
What is the best bargain for US shoppers compared to poor Ozzy prices?
I tend towards landscapes/architectural photos, but want to get into model shooting.

I have been told that the BH store is the size of a football field........or bigger........... you might need more than a few days........Adorama is also about the same size...... then there are all the smaller camera stores.......lust lust lust......

[Zeeke]

first thing id buy is a bulletproof vest... then maybe a wide angle lens.. get more of the world around you and capture the touristy spots..


Tim

[ipv6ready]

Hi all, I am lucky enough to be going to Washington DC soon, and plan to go to New York for the weekend. I was wondering, given Birddogs great prices, what would you buy if you could walk into BHphoto and buy at US prices without shipping or GST? I have a d70, 50mm 1.4, 18-70mm, 28-200mm g. I have limited cash (dont we all), and think I would get most use out of a 12-24mm lens, or something like a 70-200mm.
What is the best bargain for US shoppers compared to poor Ozzy prices?
I tend towards landscapes/architectural photos, but want to get into model shooting.

If you want a bargain.. have a look at the used section!!!!! in the store some great bargains.

Not sure but take your tickey and passport and try to wiggle out of the 8.75% sales tax in NY unlikely but i got a discount at a bike store. you never know if you never try.

[Glen]

If you want the cheapest price, do your research prior and don't buy in NY state for the reasons ipv6 said above

[skyva]

thanks guys, I reckon a sb800 and 70-200mm vr afs are top of the tree, although I will probably buy a 12-24 tokina. Hope the boss gives me a bonus. I have some tickets to the first day of the Commonwealth games, and want a good lens for the action, which is why I am after telephoto rather than wide angle.
NY is pretty tame these days, as they have implemented zero tolerance for petty crime. Last time I was there it was quiet, but my 18-70 was nowhere near wide enough. It is a big city and 12mm is essential.
If you get the chance, go there.

[ipv6ready]

thanks guys, I reckon a sb800 and 70-200mm vr afs are top of the tree, although I will probably buy a 12-24 tokina. Hope the boss gives me a bonus. I have some tickets to the first day of the Commonwealth games, and want a good lens for the action, which is why I am after telephoto rather than wide angle.
NY is pretty tame these days, as they have implemented zero tolerance for petty crime. Last time I was there it was quiet, but my 18-70 was nowhere near wide enough. It is a big city and 12mm is essential.
If you get the chance, go there.

One tip. When I shop new or used overseas and get those bulky boxes, what I do (depending on how many boxes you end up getting) is to ship the boxes back by USPS (as i believe resale value is better with the box if you change your mind later) and fly in the items as checked baggage in person in a camera bag.

Not sure but i think it is very rare but you don't want to be tagged with the ridiculasly low duty free allowance!!!

Those big shiny Nikkor boxes are hard to explain hehe

[birddog114]

You can forget GST from Australia but they don't forget or waive for you local sales taxes.

Say: 70-200VR = US$1640.00 (Without rebate) + 8.375% (Sales Tax)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... lesTax.jsp

Convert to Aussie dollar it's around AU$2350.00

Unless, you order somewhere (other States) outside of where you stay (shipping address) then no local sales tax charged.

+ sending empty boxes back and other works.

Some prices over here is lot better than in the US.

[birddog114]

If you want a bargain.. have a look at the used section!!!!! in the store some great bargains.

Not sure but take your tickey and passport and try to wiggle out of the 8.75% sales tax in NY unlikely but i got a discount at a bike store. you never know if you never try.

I don't know if this applied somewhere in the US, but I don't think they look at your passport to let you go without charging you local sales tax, especially at photographic stores. You may haggle the items with them but not much game there for you to play.

And they don't care about your Aussie passport! but they may ask you:
" Do you know Cro-co-die dan dee?"
Or what the language does the Aussie spoken?????

[ipv6ready]

If you want a bargain.. have a look at the used section!!!!! in the store some great bargains.

Not sure but take your tickey and passport and try to wiggle out of the 8.75% sales tax in NY unlikely but i got a discount at a bike store. you never know if you never try.

I don't know if this applied somewhere in the US, but I don't think they look at your passport to let you go without charging you local sales tax, especially at photographic stores. You may haggle the items with them but not much game there for you to play.

And they don't care about your Aussie passport! but they may ask you:
" Do you know Cro-co-die dan dee?"
Or what the language does the Aussie spoken?????

Very True. I think the sales person just gave me a 8% discount. In fact I kept my mouth shut as i don't like asking in a large store, but my auntie asked.Anyway I asked all the time after that...it was surprising it was like one in three shops that just discounted.

Before ebay (12 years ago), it was almost worth taking a cheap holiday to US buy the mountain bike and fly it in then buy in Australia. the original Rox Shox was $900 in australia and US$250 in the us. Thats only the front forks!!!! Shimano XTR gear set was $2500 Australian and I think I got it for $875 US.

[DionM]

IMHO I'd get stuff you can't get easily and cheaply from Au or Asia.

Eg Arca-swiss stuff, Spyder, etc. Postage is a killer on the A-S stuff. PS: Buy me a Wimberley macro flash bracket

[Onyx]

Just go to B&H and absorb everything around you! It's an experience every photographer, audiophile and/or gadget freak should experience. Adorama is much less exciting, but my favoured shopping spot - as they're smaller with less people and have more time for 1 on 1 with knowledgeable counter staff.

Don't forget the 8.625% sales tax in NY state, and the annoying mail-in rebates that basically penalises non-US residents to an even higher purchase price for items on special.

I don't know why you're only spending only a weekend in NYC and the rest of the time in DC - IMHO you should do it the other way around. Washington DC is a hellhole even worse than Canberra.
Aside from the presidental memorials it's just ghetto and slum.

[owen]

Make sure you take plenty of memory cards or a portable storage device!

[gstark]

I don't know why you're only spending only a weekend in NYC and the rest of the time in DC - IMHO you should do it the other way around. Washington DC is a hellhole even worse than Canberra.
Aside from the presidental memorials it's just ghetto and slum.

Except also for the Smithsonian, for which one needs at least a week.

And the Holcaust Museum.

And Georgetown.

[ozimax]

I don't know why you're only spending only a weekend in NYC and the rest of the time in DC - IMHO you should do it the other way around. Washington DC is a hellhole even worse than Canberra.
Aside from the presidental memorials it's just ghetto and slum.

Except also for the Smithsonian, for which one needs at least a week.

And the Holcaust Museum.

And Georgetown.

Robyn and I were talking about DC just today. We did all of DC in 7hrs in March of 2000 - caught the train in from Virginia, then ran for 7 hours straight, Smithsonian, museums x squillion, monuments. We only needed another week or two to do it justice.

Regarding purchases, Birdie is your man. If you can, check out Circuit City, Best Buy or CompUSA. They are pretty big and on every corner in every town in US of A. Sometimes they have good specials which are worth snapping up, but forget haggling on price.

Enjoy your trip.

[xerubus]

I just bought a manfrotto 3021bpro and manfrotto 488rc2 head from them while they are on special. might be worth buying if you haven't already invested in a good tripod.

[skyva]

Thanks for the tips. I go to Washington DC for work, so over there I only get weekends off unless I use up holidays. I don't mind doing that but accomodation is expensive in NY.
I find Washington DC to be a pretty impressive city. I always stay walking distance from the Whitehouse asit is close to where I work. While there are some pretty dodgy areas, there are also lots of cops, and some very nice areas. The government buildings are pretty impressive and the museums are world class. One thing I am going to do (after checking the weather over there maybe not this trip) is a night tour of the monuments. They have a bus and it is very impressive.
I think I am going to go for a 12-24mm. Last time I was in NY with my 18-70mm kit lens it was just not wide enough.
I will try out the used section though.

[ipv6ready]

You must goto the Arlington Cemetary. A Powerful Place. The Smithsonian is a must too.

But for my money...you will never forget the field of crosses, the somber mood, the quite.

While I was there some officer was being buried. The full military one, the guns and all. I just watches mesmerised from a distance, out of respect I did not take any photos. the the scene is etched into my brain anyway.

[birddog114]

skyva,
Enjoy and have a safe trip! Don't talk to Bush while you're there:lol:

[skyva]

I haven't been to Arlington, but it is something I am thinking about.
For Birddog, I walked past "The George Bush Centre for Intellegence". No kidding. I should have taken photo, but I was worried about my health, as I cracked up laughing.

Anyway I am there on Sunday, so I will send some photos in when I come badk. It is an impressive place. A little snow would be nice, as it would put a different persective on things.

[ipv6ready]

Arlington covered in snow. now that would be some shot

[Glen]

Skyva, just reading that you only get weekends off to go to NY, worth noting that B&H is a jewish owned establishment so closes Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, but opens again on Sunday. Don't want you to be disappointed.

[birddog114]

Skyva, just reading that you only get weekends off to go to NY, worth noting that B&H is a jewish owned establishment so closes Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, but opens again on Sunday. Don't want you to be disappointed.

Glen,
You married to a Jewish girl?

[Glen]

[cameraguy21773]

Email or PM me when you are ready to come up. I'll give you my cell number and you can call me when you get in and I'll try to hook you up with some of the local places to see and a few camera stores. Are you planning to rent a car?

You might consider ordering over the net from B&H and having the stuff 2-dayed to your room. Saves tax even with shipping unless you make a really major (heavy) purchase.

[Matt. K]

ipv6ready
Why do some folk think it is disrespectful to take photographs?
It could well be seen as paying respect by recording the moment for history. Just different points of view I guess?

[ipv6ready]

ipv6ready
Why do some folk think it is disrespectful to take photographs?
It could well be seen as paying respect by recording the moment for history. Just different points of view I guess?

I felt a bit funny. If it was wedding or some celebration I wouldn't of felt that way. I guess it is a personnal thing.