New gadgets whilst in Singapore (D70?)

Hi Simon

I got a D70 and 18-70mm DX zoom lens as a kit and paid £899 here in the UK

Remember that you'll need to multiply the focal lengths by 1.5 in order to get the 35mm comparative focal length.

The zoom I have is a nice lens and regarded as a good 'un.

Have a look at www.nikon.co.uk and check the specs for compatibility.

Enjoy your honeymoon !!!

Simon

There are lots of easy to find camera places along orchard road.

As a rule of thumb
1) figure out what you want to buy (ie make and model or minimum functionality) Check the UK price.
2) check out some big retailers like Harvey Norman, Courts or Best Denki in Sgp and get some prices
3) Check out some of the smaller places and get some prices. Only start bargaining if you intend to buy from that shop.
4) If there is no difference you may as well go to the big shop.

Make sure:
- The price includes GST (you can claim this back at the airport)
- one for one exchange for the first few days.
- international warranties
- what extras are included eg size of memory cards, chargers, batteries etc.
- Check that you know how much the extras are worth, usually bargaining involves lots of extras.
- try and get the right plug on any mains adaptors, UK and euro plugs are commonly mixed up.

The prices at the computer shops in Sim Lim Square are very competitive. (ie only a few bucks difference between the shops)
The electronics/camera shops at the bottom of SLS have hugely varying prices. The same walk man might cost $160 at most shops but $240 at some others. Be careful and do your homework.

Finally, resist temptation and don't waste the money you save on gadgets you don't need or want.

Most hifi shops are in the Adelphi shopping venter opposite Funan). Abs Sounds the Naim retailer is in the Sgp Shopping Center, next to park mall, opposite Plaza Singapura.

Other good bargains are food at Lau Pa Sat (much cheaper than Newton), Sea Food at East Coast (famous for chilli and pepper crabs).

Booze can be very expensive (sgd12+ at most night clubs) You can bring your own duty frees or have a few drinks at the food courts.


Happy Shopping,
Gus

I think it is a relatively high risk project to buy a camera to use on a high impact holiday while travelling to the location

You really need to have spent some time with the camera and a computer to understand how best to use the camera and how to compensate for its unique properties.

You also need to have understood your data storage and battery charging processes so that you do not run out of storage or power.

So I would suggest you buy now in the UK, learn how to use the camera and then bring back some good pictures,

If you are starting from scratch ie you do not have any Nikon lenses, take a look at the Olympus E1, you can go from the 35mm equivalent of 28mm to 400mm with only two lenses.

If you you do buy a camera in the UK, you could still use the opportunity to buy an additional lens or accessory for the camera once you are in Singapore.

Derek

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For photographic equipment in Singapore I'd recommend Cathay Photo in Peninsula Plaza. It's where the local pros shop and prices are very competitive without having to haggle. The service is very reliable and range is excellent.

Happy shopping!

Tze

Remember, If you buy in Singapore you will have to pay import duty when returning to the UK, unless you don't declare it and don't get caught

Make sure you hit the hawker stalls for bites of some good grub! And don't leave w/o getting a proper Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel (though it won't be cheap).

Greeny

Do you know what the limits are, and what rate applies to cameras for import duties, is there a way I can find out?

Simon

Capitalist Democracy at its Finest²

HM Customs and Excise web site

will explain your import tax liabilities

However at the moment the web site is broken - yet another example of the efficiency of our government

In another forum there was reports of being charged 4.2% duty then VAT on top of the whole lot (incluting postage) for importing from the US. Also reports that digital cameras do not attract duty but lens on their own do attract duty.

Derek

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[This message was edited by Derek Wright on Sat 11 September 2004 at 12:32.]

Despite the sterling's relative strength, the UK is quite competitive these days...

My father-in-law is an airline pilot (EU, US, UK and HK) and a shopaholic so he knows what to buy where. However, increasingly he's been asking me to find prices of electronic things on the UK internet which, even with 17.5% tax is quite getting quite competitive.

I did a quick calculation based on the C&E website, and it seem I would have to pay VAT and duty. Duty for digital stills cameras is only 1.4%. VAT is charged on the value of the item including import duty so the 17.5% is charged on 101.4% of the value of the item.

If I can get the D70 for about £650 (which I think I can), the total cost if I declare it is £774.

I think the Camera can be purchased over here for about £800 with the 18-70mm nikon lens. For the small saving it seems it would be worth paying the extra to get it here, and learn how to use it in time for the holiday, as well as not worrying about adapter plugs, and UK warantee problems.

Next question - Where to buy a D70 in the UK?

Simon

Nikon are well known for only accepting warranty work in the country in which a camera is sold. They do take note of the serial numbers, so you would be wise to buy it here.

The D70 shortage seems to be over, apart from body-only. Jessops have plenty now.

[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Wed 15 September 2004 at 16:55.]

The D70 shortage is not quite over yet! No-one has spare stock, and orders take about 4-6 weeks to arrive (spoke to Nikon yesterday who confirmed this).
Also, watch for the lens included in the kit. The "official" bundle includes the 18-70 DX lens, specifically designed for digital SLR's. Some kits now seem to include instead the 28-80 G lens which is vastly inferior quality wise. Also the minimum focal length would become 42mm when attached to the D70, thereby losing any useful wide angle facility.

Steve D

Being left alone near Tottenham Court Road is a dangerous experience.....for my wallet.

On Saturday the other half was going to drive in to the West End to go Bridesmaid dress shopping with her Bridesmaid.

As I had nothing planned, I said "I'll come in to town as well"

I started looking in a couple of the electronics shops on TCR and asked if any had a D70 so that I could have a play with one.

Everywhere was sold out, I was kind of relieved as I did not have to decide if I should buy one or not.

I was then due to meet up with the other half, but she was still looking at dresses so I had a bit longer on my own. I saw a D70 in the window of Micro Anvika, so I popped in and asked if I could have a look.

They thought they were out of stock, but a quick check on the computer showed two in stock plus the display model.

Out of the cupboard behind the counter came a new unopened box with the D70 kit including 18-70 MM lens.

At this point, my credit card fell out of my wallet and accidentally slid through their swipe machine. Whoops... I bought a new camera.

No discount was had due to rarity so £999 was paid.

I do like it. I have not really used an AF slr very much before, but I did a fair amount of photography at school with a totally manual zenith body.

This is an excellent new toy, and I have been practising with every spare moment. This camera is very intuitive to use, I hardly trouble any of the modes other than Aperture Priority. The ability to switch ISO with the flick of the command dial is most useful.

I will write more on the camera as I progress, but I am glad I have it in time to learn how to get the best out of it before I go on holiday in November.


Simon