SmellyTofu wrote:
To those thinking of buying in HK... the USD/AUD rates are quite good so maybe it's better and cheaper to buy off websites like adorama.com etc.
What's the go with GST and customs etc? I'm looking at a very sizeable (easy to crack the >A$1k). Anyone done that before?
I've done that...yes got to pay GST and customs duty to UPS Aust before they will despatch. They are charged by customs. I don't know the exact amount of the customs duty but I always add 15% onto Adorama's price and shipping cost
The Tribeca is already public knowledge.. just not released in Australia but u can buy that in the US.
Hmm.. then not worth it.. might as well fly to HK and buy it in that case with my big purchase... end up cheaper anyway. Just have to hide the receipts when coming back. No GST! :-)
On B&H it seems you get more savings from tamron and sigma lenses compared to canon lenses if you are planning on shipping to Australia.
On a different topic I went along to the Epson RAW and printing workshop and I found it worthwhile. The Gallery downstairs had some stunning photos, worth a visit to the Rocks just for that, especially if you work in the CBD.
Yes, going to HK and bringing it back with you is the cheapest method. If you go to the US you'll have the honour of paying GST to the americans, and then possibly paying GST when you come back here. Hooray.
In terms of mail, I think it's probably easier to use Fedex or UPS, since they will handle the customs fees for you, even though the threshold is lower ($250 vs $1k). There's no pre-GST threshold or anything so you'll always pay GST on the full amount anyway.
On the other hand, if it's mailed and the item gets flagged by customs, you have to go to the international mail gateway (Granville) to pick it up, and you still have to pay GST. It's a real PITA.
Either way, it's still going to be cheaper than buying locally. It's a shame, but that's the way it is.
I have to replace my monitor soon. It's severely clipping in the darker areas. eg, I can't see the ceiling in the original. Anyway, here's the b&w no-ceiling conversion.
I love your Windows gallery. I also have been photographing windows for the past 2 years. I went to Europe 2 years ago and took about 3-400 portraits of windows. I am just too lazy to dig out the negatives and scan each of them, otherwise I will also put them on my pbase.
I also like your B&W pic of the reflection on the wood. Very strong composition and good photo eye too:
Thanks Zane. I had a hell of a time getting that shot. I was basically flat on my back shooting upwards. I just hope the film crew didn't catch that. (yes, we were being filmed).
I didn't really like the shot at the time; I think it's still not that great, but it's not as bad as I thought it was.
Ed, i also think the b&w version looks better, i like a brownish tint to b&w, also i'm lazy on photoshop, try this link for a good b&w action (which u might have seen), it actually does do a very good default job. I tried it on your pic and it looks alright. imho.
I need to de-stress, might go to watson's bay for an evening shot tonight!
Careful if this is your company's trade scret