SLR Hut

[red997]

Hi guys
looking to purchase a 5Dmk3 +24-105 L lens

their pricing does look rather good...almost too good.

Anyone on here have recent first hand purchase information from these guys ?

I've only purchased camera gear from conventional shops previously so somewhat nervous ... they do have a bit of a reputation...

thanks
David

[creampuff]

IMHO, buying a camera off a grey market importer in Hong Kong is the cheapest place in the entire world to buy a camera, a good margin cheaper than even the US ex-sales tax price.

I bought a D7100 off a grey market importer in HK last week and I note SLR Hut's price is a bit over 20% more than what I paid in Hong Kong, 20% being the rate of UK VAT. I suspect they get their stuff from Hong Kong and ship it over to the UK every week or so.

Personally, I'd try them out although I probably never will as I go to HK often enough that it is pointless for me buying anywhere else except from there. I can't see the problem, just use a AmEx or similar credit card with a backcharging policy which favours the cardholder.

[rottie102]

creampuff said:

IMHO, buying a camera off a grey market importer in Hong Kong is the cheapest place in the entire world to buy a camera, a good margin cheaper than even the US ex-sales tax price.

Not always, 1Dx example here:


My favorite Digitalrev
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-eos-1d-x-d...
£3990

My favourite NYC store
http://www.42photo.com/pd-productid-106533-k-canon...
£2984

and for comparison
Popular UK store
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-eos-1d-x-...
£ 4845

[toppstuff]

Panamoz are very good. Established and well regarded. Look em up.

[creampuff]

rottie102 said:

Not always, 1Dx example here:


My favorite Digitalrev
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-eos-1d-x-d...
£3990

My favourite NYC store
http://www.42photo.com/pd-productid-106533-k-canon...
£2984

By that I meant a grey market importer in HK, while you yourself are also in HK, ie you do not pay UK VAT on the price. If you do that then I've found it is either the same as the US price or cheaper than the US price (usually I get stuff from Mongkok Computer Centre in HK). If you buy off a HK grey market vendor with organised UK shipping, then you would need to add 20% VAT. Due to HK's cheapness, I don't think I've ever bought any photographic gear outside of HK except for a 70-200 f/2.8 lens when the Australian dollar collapsed about 5 years ago and Australia briefly became the cheapest place in the world to buy gear with GBP or USD, which makes a nice change in the land of the $35 restaurant main course! I got that lens for A$2200, or with the exchange rate at the time about £650. They cost £1500 now!

Anyway I digress. OP if I wasn't planning a trip to either HK or the US, then I'd try out one of these importers.

[red997]

interesting... so no one on here actually used SLR hut then ?

[IvanSTi]

Seen good and bad reviews on them. If they're doing what Creampuff said, then it negates the risk of "losing" the item in the post.

[Camera man]

I've sen a lot of bad reports.

I wouldn't

[Hunky Dory]

Interesting thread (and sorry in advance for the hijack, OP).
I have been saving for a 24-70 f2.8L for some time now, anticipating a bill of circa £1,750 from WEX. Now, looking at the above mentioned Panamoz and Digitalrev, I can see the same lens for £1,201 and £1,449 respectively, so obviously am extremely tempted to save myself around £500 and buy from Panamoz!

I've been around long enough to know, life isn't that kind, so where's the catch? Am I buying a grey imported lens (not fussed if so), or is there some other risky element I'm not aware of?

Links below for info :

WEX
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-ef-24-70m...
Digitalrev
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-24-70mm...
Panamox
http://panamoz.com/index.php/lens/canon/canon-ef-2...

[creampuff]

Hunky Dory said:

I've been around long enough to know, life isn't that kind, so where's the catch? Am I buying a grey imported lens (not fussed if so), or is there some other risky element I'm not aware of?

It is a grey import. Thus you may have no Nikon UK warranty. I don't see the problem though as you buy using your credit card so if it does not work out of the box you chargeback through your credit card even if you were to encounter a vendor who refused to give you a refund. Lenses are quite reliable and if it works out of the box it should continue to work.

As I said in earlier posts, I never buy gear off UK high street shops or even authorised importer internet shops in the United Kingdom as it is too expensive. I go to HK a lot, so I buy off grey importers (ie they are not official authorised HK products either) in Hong Kong, as it is cheaper. You would be buying the same thing of one of these internet grey market retailers in your case, except you yourself are physically in the UK and thus the price charged incorporates the 20% VAT which I don't pay when I go to HK and buy gear there in person.

So far, I have never had a problem. If the worst happened and what I bought turned out to be totally 100% useless and for what ever reason I could not get it fixed or get a refund, with the amount of grey market gear I have bought over the years, I would still be ahead. I guess in my case buying grey market in person, I always test the gear before handing over the cash. Buying off the internet you do not get to do that.

The 24-70 f/2.8 is an outstanding lens BTW. These pics were taken with the 24-70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32390746@N06/sets/72...

[Hunky Dory]

creampuff said:

It is a grey import. Thus you may have no Nikon UK warranty. I don't see the problem though as you buy using your credit card so if it does not work out of the box you chargeback through your credit card even if you were to encounter a vendor who refused to give you a refund. Lenses are quite reliable and if it works out of the box it should continue to work.

The 24-70 f/2.8 is an outstanding lens BTW. These pics were taken with the 24-70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32390746@N06/sets/72...

If that's the case and Panamoz are selling imported lenses, then I'm really tempted to go for it. Like you say, risks are small and savings massive, although I'm talking Canon rather than Nikon, but I assume your statement about lack of UK warranty is still just as true.

Has anyone used Panamoz before / heard of them by reputation, either good or bad?

Nice shots by the way!

[Thunderace]

Hunky Dory said:

Has anyone used Panamoz before / heard of them by reputation, either good or bad?

I bought a Canon 400mm F5.6 L from them earlier this year. Cost was about £815 delivered (from Hong Kong), Warehouse Express would've been about £300 extra. Arrived 2-3 days after ordering, has 3 year warranty. Can't really fault them and would use again.

[baz7175]

Slightly off on a tangent, but regarding the US prices, if you know someone who lives in Oregon state then you can always make use of the fact that there is no sales tax there

[red997]

pulled the trigger on the camera / lens
not with SLR hut though...
I would have done if they oculd get it for me in time, but were quoting 2 weeks delivery.
Very good customer service;
I placed the order on their website, selected express delivery, then got a phone call from them to say that they couldn't absolutely guarantee it being there within two weeks; should be but they couldn't guarantee, so suggested they cancel the order giving me time to get it form elsewhere.
All very pleasant

So, I ordered it from Panamoz; £20 more with guaranteed 5 day delivery
again good comms with them so far...
lets see when / if it turns up !

[red997]

well, the camera / lens has turned up today
V fast service from Panamoz - great comms too, both direct and automated on delivery.
so, lets see what this 5D3 thingy is actually like then

(been round the houses with cameras over the past few years - 5D, 1DsMk3, 7D etc)

[Geordie MGmike]

red997 said:

pulled the trigger on the camera / lens
not with SLR hut though...

Did the same yesterday but with HDEW
V.excited, Expect it to arrive early next week...

Enjoy exploring the new "toy" I know I will