Samsung flash on order

Well, I couldn't resist any longer - I've placed an order for the Samsung SEF-54PZF at Amazon.

£181.44 including delivery seems an amazing price - the only other place I've seen it for sale is at Park Cameras, for very nearly as much as the Pentax one.

The only drawback is that it's currently not in stock. They say "normally despatched in 4-6 weeks", so who knows what that might mean.

Has anyone any experience of ordering anything from Amazon with as long a lead time as this?

At least I can cancel the order at any time before it's despatched, so if anything better comes to light in the meantime, I'm not committed.

My experience with Amazon is that they keep you updated with revised delivery expectations and eventually the goods turn up.

If they're in stock they trun up straight away of course, but I tend to order obscure CDs and books so it's my own fault....

I had one item that I wanted (a CD by Beth Hirsch) that said something similar. They kept me updated... but in the end they couldn't get it
But it took, I think, about 3 months to get to that stage.
Matt

No experience with anything but books and CD's but they kept to the estimated delivery time for those - and even sent one earlier than expected.
Amazon don't deliver electronics etc outside the UK, and Amazon Germany also stick to Germany and Austria, which is very frustrating as the are often the cheapest.

Yes, I bought my Pentax AF-360 FGZ through Amazon, and it too took a while (4 weeks) to arrive. I don't think Amazon themselves hold stocks of electronic equipment, they are acting as intermediaries with a third party, and so are reliant on how well that third party manages/reports stock levels.

Depends what it is, a lot of stuff they don't hold stock but can get it for you. Other things are held by a 3rd party and sold via Amazon Marketplace (like e-bay but with more real companies).

Amazon also have a decent price for the Hot Shoe Fg and 1m or 5m cables to match, got mine delivered in 2 days

Hmm, they're showing out of stock for the Fg, and marketplace traders for the other bits. I think I'd prefer Chris@SRS unless he's way over on the price, which I'd doubt. Thanks though.

Update on my Amazon order for the SEF-54PZF...

Delivery estimate just gone from 20th Aug to 25th September

Just get the Metz 58 AF-1 P-TTL from SRS Microsystems, you know you want to.

I want one

I'm considering it, believe me. It's another 70 quid, though, and then I start thinking, well from there it's only another 70 quid to the Pentax 540.

Of course, I could always get both...

Apparently (counting no chickens, especially given the postal strike), my Samsung SEF-54PZF at Amazon is in "being prepared for delivery" state, and will be despatched soon.

Possibly more of interest to others, however, is that it's currently showing 2 in stock at Amazon, at the same £181 and free delivery at which I ordered it back in July.

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OURPXG/026-7232163-0823628

I just visited amazon and there is no price on the54PZF and just a note to ask you to sign up to be notified when it might be available. I have one on order but they seem to be like rocky horse droppings. Very hard to get. I also have a Sigma 18-50 f2.8 on order but apparently Sigma can't make them fast enough for demand. I suppose I and others like ChrisA wil just have to be patient and keep on waiting. Vic

It was like that for a couple of weeks before it suddenly showed the 2 in stock that I mentioned. They did say "more soon", so if you want one, keep an eye on it.

Mine just arrived this morning (after 3 months), so I can confirm that they do exist.

Edit: and it seems to work!! I've tried it on the hot shoe and also as slave with the built-in flash on the K10D and so far it seems to be doing its thing.

That might be my Christmas present sorted if any more show up in stock . I presume that since the internals are identical to the Pentax unit it shouldn't have any of the compatibility worries of the 3rd party flashes...

Robin