I spent a lot of time on this over the past few days - tracking down a 1Ds body, chasing rumours, contacting Canon ... Thanks to all on this list who offered opinions and advice as to source and/or info on lenses and so on.
The results of my searches might be of help, Edward. Note, though, this is only what I tracked down and some of this may (and certainly will) fall into the rumour-but-sounds-reasonable category. First, although one source said that the 1Ds was already discontinued and that was why it was in short supply, Canon categorically told me that it was not. Also, another dealer I know phoned them and got the same answer. He said it is purely that demand for the camera is greater than supply ... No confirmation on the much rumoured 1Ds mk II either, but that's to be expected. There is afair bit of concencus as to what it might offer by way of improvements, which probably means it is the same rumour being copied elsewhere. General feeling is that nothing would be announced before Sept at Photokina, and nothing available in your hand before year end or well into 2005. This left my decision making in a quandry, but I decided to take the leap and spend the money now. My reasoning is that I'll eventually need two bodies (if I am away, it is for extended periods and I wouldn't dare have one body only), so my purchase now might become my backup body. So, yesterday I made a purchase. No, there aren't many around. I tracked one down in London via the Nicholas Camera Co, but they wanted more than what appeared to be the going rate (�4,900). General internet prices are �4,750 to �4,800 inc VAT plus carriage (say a tenner). But, of course, that doesn't mean they have a body to sell. A tipoff from this list led me to an internet site, Cameramarts, which advertises for �4,720 on the web. I phoned them, but they didn't have a body - but said they could supply fairly quickly. I had already been in contact with my local Jessop. They report several 1Ds bodies in the country (six I think somewhere in the company - one is in Cardiff - mine, brought in from another branch; another is in Carmarthen). Jessop will match prices with other dealers with a body in stock, so I basically talked nicely and pointed out that very few places would keep this on the shelf - they would bring it in to order, but do so quickly. They agreed to sell for the internet price plus a tenner for carriage so I paid �4,730 (but I'm also buying some other stuff, so that may have helped sway the deal). Edward - try Jessop and see what deal they'll swing for you. (I have no connection with that or any other company mentioned here, other than I give them lots of pennies now and then.) You've got a best price that I could swing, for a UK source (there were a few cheaper by buying for Portugal or elsewhere, but not worth the risk or carriage or wait, for me). Chris Howes > Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 09:11:58 +0100 > From: edward bowman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [PRODIG] canon camera > > I am trying to locate a new canon 1DS body. There do not seem to be > available at any of the pro shops that I have tried. Could anyone > advise? Also, what would be a reasonable price? > Could it also be that canon are bringing out a new version and that > might be why it has disappeared off the shelves? =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
