Check out www.pricescan.com (category digital cameras, keyword 1ds) then check out which of the vendors are in NY and have a physical shop (most do). If travelling MAKE SURE THEY HAVE STOCK! Notice that the search will offer you Cannon US-distributors and NON US-distributors selling the product. When I lived in the US that was important if you wanted the US warranty. Maybe the non US-distributors boxes (i.e. grey imports) have an international warranty (?) (or maybe only in Japan or somewhere - I don't know). US$7,150 was the cheapest I saw, tax is a personal issue..........
I bought my D1X from a NY dealer (Broadway Photo) by mail order when I lived in the US, so didn't pay the NY taxes. I did however buy an international extended warranty/insurance that in theory protects me for 3 years parts and labour. Given that I knew I would be back in the UK a year later (nicely exempting me from paying vat/duty) this seemed like a good idea. It remains to be seen if it was worthwhile. A word of warning, a lot of camera stores in NY will advertise great prices, but then start to introduce hidden extra's when you try to buy. In store (or on the phone) you often feel like you are dealing with a market trader (they talk fast and mix up prices and bundles to confuse the actual price for the one item you set off for), so know your mind, target price etc. If you go to NY I recommend a visit to B&H (www.bhphotovideo.com for directions) their shop (superstore) is excellent, as is the knowledge of staff. Prices are not as low as can be found (US$7,995 for the 1ds), but better than the UK most times, and a good second hand department. Good luck & happy shopping :-) Phil -------------------------------------------------------------- The warranty for a 1Ds bought in N.Y is NOT international. U.S. Only (accorring to Canon u.k). I don't know if a CPS membership helps. The price out there is $7700 or (or �4800). However if you're buying it inside New York state you'll have to pay state tax (10%). I don't know if you can claim this back. If not the price goes up to around �5280. The U.K price is now �5400 + VAT (�6345). As I understand it you pay VAT on imports (which you can of course claim back if you're VAT registered). Either way you could be paying a similar price for a camera without a U.K warranty - unless you don't declare it, and I wonder if you can claim to the taxman as business expense stuff bought abroad without duty paid - maybe they're not bothered. Does anyone have experience of this? On the plus side, you can at least BUY a 1Ds in New York (unlike London), and you'll no doubt have a great trip. Regards Richard Lewisohn P.S. Used a 1Ds for the first time today (sadly not mine) and the detail is awesome. Not so good is the amount of time to write to the microdrive. There was a considerable delay just waiting to see the shot on the LCD, which threw me somewhat. Around 75 shots on a 1GB micro (shooting RAW and high quality jpeg). I.e. somewhat ironically the same amount on a 512MB card as a roll of old style film! So I'll be waiting for a cheap, fast 4GB microdrive for Xmas this year. If anyone can pick one up for me cheap when they're in New York... =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
