I've been pondering getting a 17mm f2.8 lens to use as a permanent lens on my E-P1, which is currently languishing from lack of use, and making it a kind of knockabout camera. Local prices for this lens are slightly insane, approx US$450+, but finding something outside of Oz isn't looking good. I found this one, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f2.8 Lens WhiteBox+5Gif AU - eBay (item 400120145602 end time Jun-05-10 01:22:16 PDT), but I'm not feeling confident when it says new, but doesn't come in the original box and the fine print reads as follows: I can't buy from Amazon, as they won't sell lenses for Oz and I'm not going to try and go through the B&H/Adorama credit card dance. For a lens that doesn't seem to be all that liked, it sure is hard to find. Cheers Ray
You should post on some of the Australian froums like AusPhotography, Whirlpool.net.au, Overclockers and get feedback on CitiWide. They have been around for a while and I know have been discussed on Whirlpool. The price is good and I would expect that is it an unbundled lens. That's how I got (from Taiwan) my Panasonic 45-200mm for less than half the price it was being sold locally.
I'm facing about the same situation here in France ; the 'new' price is insane for a see-through body cap, and there is virtually no 2nd hand market for this item. US prices are much more in line with reality, but shipping is such an expensive hassle it destroys the advantages.
I picked up a 17mm with the optical finder for A$350 plus shipping on the 'bay, used but in mint condition. You'll just need to be patient. Gordon
I've bought previously from Adorama, years ago now, and had no issues. But then there was a policy change and I was required to fax copies of my credit card, both sides, before any credit purchases would be accepted. This put me in breach of the terms and conditions of my bank's credit card rules. Giving a credit card number and expiry date is one thing, but revealing full signature etc was basically leaving things open to credit card fraud should the copies fall into the wrong hands. B&H requires the same. Oddly enough, I've purchaed numerous items from other photo retailers in the US and only had to provide what I'd be required to provide in Australia for any credit card purchase. If things have changed, then I will reconsider, but if these policies still apply, I simply can't purchase via credit card. As much as you want to protect your sales from fraud, I have to also protect my credit card from fraudulent use (I stand to lose much more and with no come back). Cheers Ray
adorama is a wonderful camera store where i live in in nyc , i got my ep1 last june the day they hit ny thanks to a salesman who knew how badly i wanted it, and called me personally and held it while i left work to get it also got my ricoh gx 200 and cx1 there as well , and fairly priced ive beem shopping at adorama for 30 years
Ray I buy a lot of stuff from the US but have a US address with Borderlinx. They then ship to me here in Oz. With (often) free shipping in the US and reasonable rates from Borderlinx it gets over the credit card and 'no sales outside US' problems. It also gives a UK address and lets me buy on eBay as a 'local'.
Now that's a very neat little tool, I'll have to invetigate further. I've wanted to buy some items from the US, but the seller will only deliver to the US. Cheers Ray
