Basically, I've been wanting to get some different lenses but as I've mentioned before, camera equipment is scarce in Cyprus. I bought my 500D at an electronics store that had very few cameras to begin with and only one or two lenses for sale (Nikon and Pentax) - these kinds of places are mostly for TV sets and the like.
So I've looked around online, but have always been skeptical of buying from anywhere other than eBay. The problem with relying solely on such a site is that too many of the big sellers don't ship such things here.
Then whenever I do a Google search, I get results from Simply Electronics and Pixmania, but my question is, does anyone here (I trust you more than strangers I'd encounter on other forums) have experience with either of these? I've looked up the reviews and problems with both and while Pixmania has a fair amount of complaints regarding various things, it seems Simply Electronics is nothing but bad reviews, varying from no delivery whatsoever to no communication post-payment. Help? :(
* if you know of any other (reliable) online retailers, I'd appreciate it!
In that case I've heard good things about Sigma lenses as those "starter" lenses before taking the plunge into the more expensive canon (or nikon) lenses. I'm glad you like it. I think my friend has a rebel and she let me hold and goof with that for a few minutes... which was fun. I could see you doing some incredible things with a macro. :)
@crappysailor Good to know! Their prices are better than the Wolf and Ritz lines out here... but wasn't sure if I would be happy not having a person to complain to if something were seriously wrong.
@hellcat - yeah, i lived right by it, so i used to go and just check out all the stuff. They have some off hours due to religious reasons, so sometimes ordering can be hectic, but they are super reputable.
I have used Pixmania several times in the past (when in UK) and found the service very good and when there was a problem once they were very quick to fix it.
Their delivery times were good and pricing was very competative.
I probably wouldn't do business with pixmania, and simply electronics is a bit iffy.
@hellcat - I've owned many sigma lenses and I really like them, but I would not buy a lens from them that wasn't in the 'EX' line. Their low end lenses aren't very good.
@sudweeks Good to know. I'm hoping to purchase a 70-200 prime and it's rather pricey. We were hoping that Sigma would be good alternative to the Nikkor. :) Thank you!
@hellcat - For the money, the Sigma is a pretty good alternative to the Nikkor. The Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD is sharper than the Sigma when shooting wide open (F2.8) but when you stop it down, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM becomes quite a bit sharper than the Tamron.
@sudweeks Ha ha! Thanks for those links. I've been concerned because I tend to need a high aperture. I heard the VRII was incredible...but *ouch* the price!
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@craigdtull See, Google failed me. I've never heard of that site. Thanks, deary :)
I hear they are good, but don't know if they deliver to Cyprus... Can't be out staged by @craigdtull . :p to you too. :)
@craigdtull Turns out digitalrev sell through eBay too so I'm off to find them and read the reviews :D thanks a bunch
I'm not entirely sure. I'm not gonna buy something uber expensive, but I'm thinking a few of the cheaper ones (incl. a macro) to get a feel for them
They ship abroad :D omg
I have had excellent service from Pixmania three times in the last few months delivering the right product in 24 hours.
Simply Elec. I have no experience.
Their delivery times were good and pricing was very competative.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Pixmania http://www.resellerratings.com/store/SimplyElectronics
I probably wouldn't do business with pixmania, and simply electronics is a bit iffy.
@hellcat - I've owned many sigma lenses and I really like them, but I would not buy a lens from them that wasn't in the 'EX' line. Their low end lenses aren't very good.
And the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII blows both of them away hands down. (although on a cropped sensor, the older VR version is sharper than the new VRII)
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma_70-200_2p8_os_c16 http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_70-200_2p8_c16/ http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_70-200_2p8_vrii_n15/ http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_70-200_2p8_vr_n15/
Yeah - I've been looking at lens reviews a bit much... I've been thinking about selling my Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR and picking up the VRII version.