IST D'S'
Posted 20/09/2004 - 15:59
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And also, does anyone know whether the lenses from my curent MZ30 will fit and function properly with this camera?
Dan
Dan
Posted 21/09/2004 - 01:16
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There is presently a question mark over whether and how K or M lenses will work with the DS, but any lens marked A, F, FA, FAJ and DA should work fine with all cameras after the K and M series.
Posted 21/09/2004 - 01:26
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As for pitfalls, it does seem that the DS has a few improvements over the D (histogram, larger LCD, etc) but it is designed more as a point and shoot camera, and it may be more difficult (but not necessarily impossible) to exercise full control.
If you mainly want to let the camera decide matters like what exposure to use, then it would seem to be excellent value. It's a MUCH better camera than the Canon Rebel/300D.
There are two downsides to importing. First, if anything goes wrong, you may find Pentax UK doesn't want to honour your guarantee, and it will be a major hassle to send the camera back. I was happy to take my chances on this.
Second is the small matter of VAT and duty. I happily paid the VAT when I imported my D from Canada because I prefer to be legal, and I didn't want any hassles when I go in and out of the country. If you try to smuggle it, and get caught, it could be "goodbye camera". Even with the VAT, you'll probably save a bundle.
Good luck
George
If you mainly want to let the camera decide matters like what exposure to use, then it would seem to be excellent value. It's a MUCH better camera than the Canon Rebel/300D.
There are two downsides to importing. First, if anything goes wrong, you may find Pentax UK doesn't want to honour your guarantee, and it will be a major hassle to send the camera back. I was happy to take my chances on this.
Second is the small matter of VAT and duty. I happily paid the VAT when I imported my D from Canada because I prefer to be legal, and I didn't want any hassles when I go in and out of the country. If you try to smuggle it, and get caught, it could be "goodbye camera". Even with the VAT, you'll probably save a bundle.
Good luck
George
Posted 24/09/2004 - 12:55
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I too have been looking at the ist DS as I am currently using and ME Super, it would be a shame to sell all the old equipment for pennies and go with a make I have not developed a small emotional attachment to.
Does anyone have an idea as to the expected supply date in the UK?
Does anyone have an idea as to the expected supply date in the UK?
Posted 27/09/2004 - 23:22
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Quote:
There are two downsides to importing. First, if anything goes wrong, you may find Pentax UK doesn't want to honour your guarantee, and it will be a major hassle to send the camera back. I was happy to take my chances on this.
Second is the small matter of VAT and duty. I happily paid the VAT when I imported my D from Canada because I prefer to be legal, and I didn't want any hassles when I go in and out of the country. If you try to smuggle it, and get caught, it could be "goodbye camera". Even with the VAT, you'll probably save a bundle.
I think you're trying to scare people. There are two downsides to importing. First, if anything goes wrong, you may find Pentax UK doesn't want to honour your guarantee, and it will be a major hassle to send the camera back. I was happy to take my chances on this.
Second is the small matter of VAT and duty. I happily paid the VAT when I imported my D from Canada because I prefer to be legal, and I didn't want any hassles when I go in and out of the country. If you try to smuggle it, and get caught, it could be "goodbye camera". Even with the VAT, you'll probably save a bundle.
1/ Pentax WILL honour the guarantee. Confirmed. You register it here in the UK.
2/ "goodbye camera"? More like, hello tax bill. Unlikely you'd get caught, people take cameras on their hols and bring them back too!
Do you work for Pentax?
Posted 28/09/2004 - 11:49
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Simon
Pentax UK are under no obligation to ratify a guarantee on a camera bought elsewhere, if you try to register it here they are perfectly within their rights to decline - Pentax USA is a seperately registered company to Pentax UK (they're both subsidiaries of Pentax Japan, if I remember correctly). They might honour the guarantee, for customer relations reasons, but they're not obliged. I tried to register a Singapore-bought camera in the UK, no joy.
You're quite right that many people get away with buying stuff abroad and bringing it back, however the standard claim is that you bought it in the UK - if you admit to buying it abroad you are liable for tax, unless you can convince customs it's a gift for a trivial amount (unlikely if you're holding a DSLR!) Unless you're prepared to chuck the box (makes shipping it back to the USA hard if Pentax UK refuse the warranty and it goes wrong, and also screws the resale price!) it's quite hard to argue that you had bought it in the UK. I had to chuck the box for my MZ-50 I bought in Singapore for those reasons.
You can, of course, simply declare and pay the approriate fees - there is customs tax/import duty (not that much) and VAT, and quite confusingly import duty has different levels depending upon classification - I think Dan might be lucky, there's no import duty upon digital camaras at present! If you do the calcualtions, it might be quite a bit cheaper to do this than buy one in the UK - as George states, he saved money doing this.
As for customs impounding your camera, I'm not sure about that either (although I wouldn't put it past them!), but I thought a deliberate customs evasion was dealt with quite harshly? I've heard of customs impounding booze brought back from Europe on the cheap, hence it would follow that they'd do the same in the case of a camera, although I concede that in the case of the booze cruises customs are attempting to make a point. If caught, you'll certainly have to stump up for the charges, not sure how much further (if at all) it would go.
I would do the calculations first, it might be worth just stumping up the cash to do it by the book. If you choose to just bring it back anyway I don't think you're likely to be busted at customs (when was the last time you got stopped?) but be aware there is always a risk.
Matt
Pentax UK are under no obligation to ratify a guarantee on a camera bought elsewhere, if you try to register it here they are perfectly within their rights to decline - Pentax USA is a seperately registered company to Pentax UK (they're both subsidiaries of Pentax Japan, if I remember correctly). They might honour the guarantee, for customer relations reasons, but they're not obliged. I tried to register a Singapore-bought camera in the UK, no joy.
You're quite right that many people get away with buying stuff abroad and bringing it back, however the standard claim is that you bought it in the UK - if you admit to buying it abroad you are liable for tax, unless you can convince customs it's a gift for a trivial amount (unlikely if you're holding a DSLR!) Unless you're prepared to chuck the box (makes shipping it back to the USA hard if Pentax UK refuse the warranty and it goes wrong, and also screws the resale price!) it's quite hard to argue that you had bought it in the UK. I had to chuck the box for my MZ-50 I bought in Singapore for those reasons.
You can, of course, simply declare and pay the approriate fees - there is customs tax/import duty (not that much) and VAT, and quite confusingly import duty has different levels depending upon classification - I think Dan might be lucky, there's no import duty upon digital camaras at present! If you do the calcualtions, it might be quite a bit cheaper to do this than buy one in the UK - as George states, he saved money doing this.
As for customs impounding your camera, I'm not sure about that either (although I wouldn't put it past them!), but I thought a deliberate customs evasion was dealt with quite harshly? I've heard of customs impounding booze brought back from Europe on the cheap, hence it would follow that they'd do the same in the case of a camera, although I concede that in the case of the booze cruises customs are attempting to make a point. If caught, you'll certainly have to stump up for the charges, not sure how much further (if at all) it would go.
I would do the calculations first, it might be worth just stumping up the cash to do it by the book. If you choose to just bring it back anyway I don't think you're likely to be busted at customs (when was the last time you got stopped?) but be aware there is always a risk.
Matt
Posted 28/09/2004 - 12:58
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Pentax have a thing called the "International Warranty Card" which you apply for in the UK.
I'm sure there were a few posts on it here a while back.
just trying to help!
I'm sure there were a few posts on it here a while back.
just trying to help!
Posted 28/09/2004 - 14:36
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Hi Simon
I tried all avenues, they wouldn't let me register my MZ-50 in the UK - I heard rumblings about two different factories churning them out for seperate markets, might have got mine from 'other market' and hence non-supportable outside of Asia? I didn't declare my camera when returning to the UK, although I don't recall that ever being a problem/issue in terms of registration. This was in late 2000, is this international warranty a new thing, or was my experience mainly due to poor after-sales support?
I see Pentax UK now have a section allowing for Pentax products to be registered online, has anyone used it? I have since sold the MZ-50 (crippled mount too much to bear) and so I can't try, but is it possible to register non-UK purchased items this way? If so, will they send warranty cards out based on this information? Would be a bonus if you're shipping things in. It's the first I've heard of this international warrranty, haven't noticed it on the UK Pentax website but it's clearly discussed on the Pentax USA one. Does it definitely apply to the UK arm? I can't remember any references to it on this forum, and a quick search doesn't show anything. I don't have any new Pentax gear (all bought with care on the used market) but it would be useful knowledge for the future.
Matt
I tried all avenues, they wouldn't let me register my MZ-50 in the UK - I heard rumblings about two different factories churning them out for seperate markets, might have got mine from 'other market' and hence non-supportable outside of Asia? I didn't declare my camera when returning to the UK, although I don't recall that ever being a problem/issue in terms of registration. This was in late 2000, is this international warranty a new thing, or was my experience mainly due to poor after-sales support?
I see Pentax UK now have a section allowing for Pentax products to be registered online, has anyone used it? I have since sold the MZ-50 (crippled mount too much to bear) and so I can't try, but is it possible to register non-UK purchased items this way? If so, will they send warranty cards out based on this information? Would be a bonus if you're shipping things in. It's the first I've heard of this international warrranty, haven't noticed it on the UK Pentax website but it's clearly discussed on the Pentax USA one. Does it definitely apply to the UK arm? I can't remember any references to it on this forum, and a quick search doesn't show anything. I don't have any new Pentax gear (all bought with care on the used market) but it would be useful knowledge for the future.
Matt
Posted 28/09/2004 - 15:37
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I think it is a relatively new thing, yes, which would explain that.
It's definitely applicable to the UK, and no, I can't see any mention of it on the UK web site. But then they don't even mention the *istDS on there yet! Talk about slow!
It's definitely applicable to the UK, and no, I can't see any mention of it on the UK web site. But then they don't even mention the *istDS on there yet! Talk about slow!
Posted 29/09/2004 - 15:25
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Simon S
When you buy from abroad you cannot be certain how these things will work. The seller may have misled you about the warranty. Pentax may change their policy at any time. These are uncertainties.
If you have the camera sent in, as opposed to bringing it in on your person, then you are highly likely to have to pay duty and VAT.
If you have to send it out again, then you will need to register the fact that you are doing so, so that you don't get caught for VAT on the way back. You can't register it if you haven't paid the VAT.
If you get caught evading VAT when bringing it in, and Customs decide to make an example of you, then you will have a criminal record. Perhaps you have one already, and aren't bothered, but I don't, and have no intention of getting one.
Why did you ask if I work for Pentax? It is not germane to the argument, and demonstrates a lack of clear thought on your part, which doesn't say much for the quality of your decision-making.
George
When you buy from abroad you cannot be certain how these things will work. The seller may have misled you about the warranty. Pentax may change their policy at any time. These are uncertainties.
If you have the camera sent in, as opposed to bringing it in on your person, then you are highly likely to have to pay duty and VAT.
If you have to send it out again, then you will need to register the fact that you are doing so, so that you don't get caught for VAT on the way back. You can't register it if you haven't paid the VAT.
If you get caught evading VAT when bringing it in, and Customs decide to make an example of you, then you will have a criminal record. Perhaps you have one already, and aren't bothered, but I don't, and have no intention of getting one.
Why did you ask if I work for Pentax? It is not germane to the argument, and demonstrates a lack of clear thought on your part, which doesn't say much for the quality of your decision-making.
George
Posted 01/10/2004 - 21:15
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Yeah ok. Avoiding VAT is illegal, yes (although it's import duty we're talking about I think? but same principle). We weigh up the risks, each and every one of us. If I end up in Dartmoor then at least I'll get some good shots from my cell window.
Pentax confirmed the warranty thing.
Pentax confirmed the warranty thing.
Posted 02/10/2004 - 14:39
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Hi all
You'll have to pay both import duty and VAT if you import a camera from abroad, VAT at the standard 17.5% and import duty dependant upon what you're bringing in (the import duty is, to the best of my knowledge, zero for digital cameras). I think you can reclaim taxes paid on the camera in the host nation you bought it in, offsetting some of the cost of declaring, but that again varies between countries.
Matt
You'll have to pay both import duty and VAT if you import a camera from abroad, VAT at the standard 17.5% and import duty dependant upon what you're bringing in (the import duty is, to the best of my knowledge, zero for digital cameras). I think you can reclaim taxes paid on the camera in the host nation you bought it in, offsetting some of the cost of declaring, but that again varies between countries.
Matt
Posted 11/10/2004 - 13:38
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I wasn't trying to start arguments when adding this post, between legalities and peoples morals etc, i merely wanted to know the pitfalls, if any of buying from abroad.
As i see it from these posts i will have to look at import duty and tax (17.5%), so if i purchased the camera @ an estimated $700 which is circa £400, I would have to pay another £70 in tax, totaling £470, with no import duty due to there not being any on digital cameras?...right? Complicated.......but Cheaper
Does anyone have a definitive guide/site address to confim what needs to be paid
Cheers
Dan
As i see it from these posts i will have to look at import duty and tax (17.5%), so if i purchased the camera @ an estimated $700 which is circa £400, I would have to pay another £70 in tax, totaling £470, with no import duty due to there not being any on digital cameras?...right? Complicated.......but Cheaper
Does anyone have a definitive guide/site address to confim what needs to be paid
Cheers
Dan
Posted 21/10/2004 - 20:07
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Every lens back to K mount will works on the *ist DS. You are going to have a 1.5x cropping factor because of the less than full frame sensor - making your 28mm into a virtual 42mm, 50mm into virtual 75mm, ect.
mm.... 300mm into 450mm... but I digress.
(The *ist D's crop factor was 1.5x and I'm assuming that is the crop factor on the *ist DS is the same, even with the switch from the CCD to the CMOS sensor. Nominal difference, whether there is 0.0x or 0.1x change.)
Oh, and with the same adapter used for the *ist D, you can even use M42s. Something oddly romantic about a Honeywell era lense on a digicam, but I digress again. Same goes for the 645 lenses.
Offically, it is compatible with: PENTAX KAF mount compatible with PENTAX KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses
Word is that, unlike the Nikons and Canons that have very limited function with older lenses, the *ist D and *istDS will at least meter through just about anything. Wow, Pentax is actually listening for a change. Guess they learned some humility with the ZX-10. I know I did.
The release date in the US (according to Amazon.com) is November 20th. I would imagine it is in that neighborhood for the UK.
From what I can tell, the *ist DS seems to be an upgrade in every way, except for one. No mirror lockup. Nobody else seems to care, but for me that is a huge deal because you can get away with so much more when you don't have that mirror slapping around.
*shrugs* Guess I'll just have to pick up an LX to compensate. After I finish paying off the Best Buy card from the *ist DS purchase that is.
Dpreview.com has a decent preview and good side by side spec comparison:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/pentaxistds/
Also, as for importing one - I'm not sure if this is a consideration, but any camera shop in New York quoting at $700 is selling something that has already been imported from, say, Indonesia. Camera companies generally consider the UK, US, Canada, ect. the same market (the one where things sell for the most and consumers expect the most support). However, the stuff in NYC will really be from a country designated as greymarket. So while Pentax says you'll receive support in the UK for a US camera (same thing in their eyes), I don't know if they would feel the same way about a greymarket camera that was purchased in the US.
I know that Nikon will not even accept for repair greymarket goods, though they will accept US/UK/ect. stuff for repair even if out of warrenty for a repair fee. Pentax doesn't have the heavy handed reputation, but I'd be careful.
mm.... 300mm into 450mm... but I digress.
(The *ist D's crop factor was 1.5x and I'm assuming that is the crop factor on the *ist DS is the same, even with the switch from the CCD to the CMOS sensor. Nominal difference, whether there is 0.0x or 0.1x change.)
Oh, and with the same adapter used for the *ist D, you can even use M42s. Something oddly romantic about a Honeywell era lense on a digicam, but I digress again. Same goes for the 645 lenses.
Offically, it is compatible with: PENTAX KAF mount compatible with PENTAX KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses
Word is that, unlike the Nikons and Canons that have very limited function with older lenses, the *ist D and *istDS will at least meter through just about anything. Wow, Pentax is actually listening for a change. Guess they learned some humility with the ZX-10. I know I did.
The release date in the US (according to Amazon.com) is November 20th. I would imagine it is in that neighborhood for the UK.
From what I can tell, the *ist DS seems to be an upgrade in every way, except for one. No mirror lockup. Nobody else seems to care, but for me that is a huge deal because you can get away with so much more when you don't have that mirror slapping around.
*shrugs* Guess I'll just have to pick up an LX to compensate. After I finish paying off the Best Buy card from the *ist DS purchase that is.
Dpreview.com has a decent preview and good side by side spec comparison:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/pentaxistds/
Also, as for importing one - I'm not sure if this is a consideration, but any camera shop in New York quoting at $700 is selling something that has already been imported from, say, Indonesia. Camera companies generally consider the UK, US, Canada, ect. the same market (the one where things sell for the most and consumers expect the most support). However, the stuff in NYC will really be from a country designated as greymarket. So while Pentax says you'll receive support in the UK for a US camera (same thing in their eyes), I don't know if they would feel the same way about a greymarket camera that was purchased in the US.
I know that Nikon will not even accept for repair greymarket goods, though they will accept US/UK/ect. stuff for repair even if out of warrenty for a repair fee. Pentax doesn't have the heavy handed reputation, but I'd be careful.
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2277 posts
24 years
I want a decent digital, and considered the ist d due to my experience with my traditional pentax, but If the isd's' have as many features etc, this may be a more economical choice for my use
I am also going to the new york at christmas and may consider purchasing it then (as i have seen quotes of circa $700), does anyone know of any pitfalls/problems in doing this?
Any help appreciated
Dan