Best place to buy a Nikon 80-200 AF-D lens new?

[dws21]

Hi, I'm looking for recommendations on where to buy the above lens from online. Googling shows not too encouraging reports of Simply Electronis and CameraBox (who appear to have stock) so would like to avoid those. Good quality second hand would be fine too but I'm not at all familar with decent online second hand retailers. Would like to get it today for delivery by Thursday too if at all possible.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

ps. I cannot afford the very nice 70-200 VR before you suggest I get that instead.

[Scphoto]

Have you checked out www.camerapricebuster.co.uk ?

However with recent price increases it may not be as cheap as you want it.

/edit Just looked and it doesn't list, however the site still lists an number or retailers to check out.

[dws21]

One Stop Digital have it for £779.99 about the best I could find so far, a friend recommended them so they should be ok. I'm tempted to bide my time and see what appears on Ebay now.

[Scphoto]

Digital Rev are another HK based importer (as One Stop are) which might be worth a look. They add import costs on at source so you won't get stung. One Stop appear (or give that impression) to avoid Vat/duty, however a lot of people use them and they are happy.

[GeoffR]

How about you tell us a bit more about this lens?

Nikon UK don't currently list an 80-200 AF-D. The only lens with these focal lengths I can recall was the 80-200 f2.8 AF-D If this is the lens you are talking about buying one new may be a touch difficult because it appears to have been "replaced" by the 70-200 f2.8 AF-S VR in 2003. At least as far as Nikon UK seem to be concerned. That said Nikon.com do list an 80-200 f2.8 zoom and Grays of Westminster have it at £999.

It may be easier to pick up a used one, have a look at the adverts in AP for some ideas of where you might find one.

[dws21]

I can't see it on the UK Nikon website, but here it is on the USA one: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/im..._28d/index.htm so I guess still in production but not sold in UK?

So it's going to have to be an import or used. Grays at £999 is extracting the Michael.

Can buy it in Canada too for $1269 (£716) http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...mp;itemID=37410

USA for $1,099 (£729) http://www.adorama.com/NK80200AFNU.html

So yup still in production, just not available here.

[GeoffR]

I can't see it on the UK Nikon website, but here it is on the USA one: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/im..._28d/index.htm so I guess still in production but not sold in UK?

So it's going to have to be an import or used. Grays at £999 is extracting the Michael.

Can buy it in Canada too for $1269 (£716) http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...mp;itemID=37410

USA for $1,099 (£729) http://www.adorama.com/NK80200AFNU.html

So yup still in production, just not available here.

Don't forget that you also have to pay VAT and any import duty plus handling charge. VAT is chargeable on the shipping costs too. So Adorama's £729 becomes nearer £840 with the VAT and you still have to ship it. Unfortunately though your exchange rate is optimistic too so expect to pay nearer £900 for the lens with VAT so if shipping and handling, (handling by the Post Office to collect the VAT, not Adorama) comes any where near £99 your gain is nil.

[Benchista]

...and you forgot the duty payable on lenses...

[dws21]

Ah yes there is the VAT and duty and shipping to consider that is true. Makes the HK import look rather good as they reimbuse in full should you get charged VAT and duty. Looking at past E-Bay sales good used examples go for around £500, so I think I'll keep an eye on that for a few weeks before deciding on buying new from HK.

Thanks for the replies.

[TimF]

ffordes have an AF-S version listed at £799 if that's of interest. Certainly a very fine lens, which I used to own myself.

[dws21]

Well spotted, however after testing a mate's Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM for a few days I've decided that will do much of what I want, so buying that off him now instead and then spend the savings on a 1.4 TC.