Grey Market Camera Bodies...

[NikonUser]

... Would you do it?

I'm interested to hear your opinions about getting grey market camera bodies.

I've spent the last few weeks deciding weather to go with a D200 or a D2X. After playing with a D200 on Monday I've decided that it will be the camera for me. Sure, I'd love the D2X but at $6700 (in Aus) it's just too much for me to justify. The D200 for me looks like a great compromise...

... However just out of interest I typed in D2X on ebay... I looked for reliable sellers and came across HKSupplies (which is who Birdy deals with isn't it?). I did a quick currency conversion and the US$3790 comes to just over AU$5100 (plus possibly GST). That would allow me to get the D2X and also the Nikon 12-24 that I want.

...However that also means it will be a grey market camera. I'm unsure exactly what this means. I know it'd have to be shipped to Hong Kong for any warranty repairs. But after that initial 1 year warranty period would there be any difference?

Is this a silly idea that I should just forget right now? Could you guys give me your thoughts?

Paul

[birddog114]

Yes, do it if you're willing to take your luck!
No, if you're thinking of the unlucky which may occur in the first 12 months of ownership.

[marcotrov]

NikonUser listen to the venerable Birddog Anyhow just read the review in both Photography Monthly and Practical Photographer and they really gave the D200 great wraps, especially value for money.
I had the same decision a while ago and I opted for the D200 got the 12-24DX and the Sigma 'Block your eyes Gary' Macro 150 F/2.8 and had more to spend on a battery grip, spare battery, rechargeables and trading up on a new road bicycle. It was too good a compromise to ignore
cheers
marco

[NikonUser]

I guess it was just a dream. Too many things could go wrong.

Oh well. D200 it is (I agree that it does sound like a very good compromise and will allow the purchase of much more stuff... but a D2X is a D2X!! )

I guess I have a few months before the D200 is available... maybe the D2X will drop to $5000 locally by then :)... yeah maybe not.

Have you recieved your D200 yet marco?

[marcotrov]

Nah , still waiting expectedly but given the little hiccups initially with the D200 I'm in no hurry. I'll wait till they sort the problems out and I get the fixed series. As birddog said maybe even a D200S Though I'm sweating on my D70 with all these BGLODs happening I hope the D200 gets here before, touch wood mine decides to do its green light thingo. Mind you I have only done 3450 actuations with the camera since I got it in late 2004
cheers
marco

[Glen]

Paul, this is the exact reason I started the "has your camera been to the doctor thread". 1/3 of respondents answered yes (though that may not have been in the first 12 months). Are you feeling lucky?

[NikonUser]

Paul, this is the exact reason I started the "has your camera been to the doctor thread". 1/3 of respondents answered yes (though that may not have been in the first 12 months). Are you feeling lucky?

Add to this my ability to attract bad luck I don't think it's worth the risk.

**Throws that idea in the bin**

[byrt_001]

hi

i was thinking the same the other day, as im in the same boat.

but if anything goes wrong after that year, then who is going to service the camera? as i have heard that no one will touch the camera as it is a grey import. but...when i arrived year ago i took my nikon f5 and my 80-200 f2.8af-sw to be service to an nikon dealer and they did service it.

if it cost much less from birddog i will deal with him.

[MATT]

But if something doess go wrong you cna send back to hong kong for repair, The saving would cover this easy if there was a problem,

Then get a MACK or similat warranty for another 2 yrs after that to cover anyother problems..

or

Just get the d200...5D??


MATT

[NikonUser]

I thought that so long as you weren't claiming warrantee then Nikon would service the camera.

That's why I asked if after a year if there were any differences between grey market and normal

Paul

[MattC]

NikonUser,
Do not be put of too much by grey imports. HK is overnight freight (a couple of days at the most - the hiccup is usually customs) from the east coast and the freight is not that expensive. Even if you returned a D2X three times (highly unlikely that you would be so unlucky) you should still be well in front.
HKSupplies are as good as they get. If you have a problem then I am sure that they will look after you. Certainly much better than Maxwell.

We are living in an ever shrinking world. For me, HK is closer than Sydney or Melbourne by any measure. Melbourne or Sydney are between a week and three weeks away from TC, HK is three days.

I would reconsider buying a local D200 over an imported D2X. Local warranty is not all that it is cracked up to be, and HK really is just around the corner.

Cheers

[anubis]

Heard from a guy in digitalcity that they expect D200 supplies in 10 days (this is after talking to maxwell).

Mind you he said he expected stock end of March

[NikonUser]

I spoke to a guy in Camera House in Melbourne and they said the same thing...

... However they also have been saying that since the start

And who knows if the numbers that they get will even scratch the surface of the backorders they have.

Paul

[elffinarts]

I'd much rather deal with HKSupplies over Maxwell or CameraHouse ect ect.

I've yet to hear enough good stories about dealing with local sales/service but the feedback on HKSupplies is brilliant. You cant get that kind of user feedback unless you earn it.