www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I'm kicking myself big time! Ive been saving for the Sigma 150mm Macro lens and had the money after xmas - but life got in the way and when I came to order it the other day it had jumped from just under £400 to between £560 and £600 in just 1 month. So dissapointed - will we see the prices come down again soon - I hope so, but not before I want to go out snapping. Holding out till May in case things improve a bit - but unlikely. This always happens to me - and I begrudge paying anyone such an enormous difference!

£469.99 from One Stop Digital.

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/ ... cts_id=116

(I've just looked at what I paid in Feb last year. £333.99 What a huge difference )

Cheapest I can find is, £469.99 over seas, or £525.99 UK. I'm told it will all go up again soon, so no point waiting.



Gruditch

Hey Mark,
Similar price, but nearer to home.... Campkin's in Rose Crescent, Cambridge are doing them for £470 I think. You can do that in your lunchbreak . Unfortunately, I don't think they will be going down in price again too soon (cursed exchange rate )

Trev

Campkins eh? Cheers Trev - Ill go take a look - I think it's about time I took a lunch break - All Ive done is tour labs recently - Time for some 'me time' - in the name of science of course!

Typical - I guess someone heard you Trev - took time out to go to the Campkins and indeed you were right - they had the lens at £460 but it was sold just before I got there. The next lot to come in will be at £599! Hunting for 'old' stock in shops now!

D'oh! - Sorry Mark, maybe I should have used your work e-mail... I was browsing through the forum last night when I saw the request and popped it on this forum while I remembered. It was probably coincidence, but you never know. I will keep my eyes open again.

Trev

http://tradecamerasonline.com/index.php ... cts_id=955

Price in UK for this was £484.99 Inc VAT today...
N

Thanks Trev/Nick.

Trev u sure you didnt buy yourself a second one - you were seen outside Campkins today

Damn that Google StreetView

Actually, I did go down at lunchtime to see if you were there and noticed that the lens had disappeared from the window... I assumed you had got it

Hi - Was going to order from tradecamerasonline but they dont publish any contact details - all done via email. Has anyone used them on here before i handover £500!

bugmadmark wrote:Hi - Was going to order from tradecamerasonline but they dont publish any contact details - all done via email. Has anyone used them on here before i handover £500!

Hi Mark,

Gruditch and I have used One Stop Digital without any problems. £469.99 from them.

Denise

Hi - Thanks for this. I was tempted with this as their prices is for UK stock which means you get the full 3 yrs warranty. If their price suddenly goes up too then grey import it will have to be for me. Just been sat in garden with the kids talking about buterfly photography with my son and had 2 Brimstones flying around the garden in the sun - they really are so welcoming - yet Ive never seen one settle. I really need this lens soon!

Mark,
I've sent you a PM...

Trev

bugmadmark wrote:Hi - Thanks for this. I was tempted with this as their prices is for UK stock which means you get the full 3 yrs warranty. If their price suddenly goes up too then grey import it will have to be for me. Just been sat in garden with the kids talking about buterfly photography with my son and had 2 Brimstones flying around the garden in the sun - they really are so welcoming - yet Ive never seen one settle. I really need this lens soon!

One Stop Digital doesn't look like UK stock but anyone know if Trade Cameras Online is ?

Bill

Yes they are, and judging by some of the prices, they still have some old stock.

Gruditch

Tradecamerasonline emailed me the following when I asked if their lens is a grey import...

"We can confirm we do source some products from outside uk , and all our items are backed by uk insurance company for 2 years however as equally we do stock uk also so bit of a mix and match , due to the current stock issues now it is forcing most companies to source from suppliers outside uk , The postage on our items in uk is free, Thank You, TCO"

and in their FAQ it states...

"Can you guarantee the quality of your equipment?
We only sell genuine top brand products and accessories: our reputation relies on this. We do not sell inferior “grey” imports or reconditioned equipment. All our stock is brand new and the same quality that you would expect from a high street retailer."

I'm seeking to clarify this - but it does show how you have to be careful when buying equipt - because more an more companies are having to import their own stocks in from overseas. Fine if you don't want the Sigma additional 2 yr warranty - but if I am spending nearly £500 I want everything I can get!

and the latest . ..
My abridged email to TCO:

Hi,

..I need to clarify something before I can order. I am a little confused as your FAQ states "We do not sell inferior “grey” imports or reconditioned equipment. All our stock is brand new and the same quality that you would expect from a high street retailer."

If I order this lens from you will Sigma UK offer the additional 2 year warranty for genuine UK stock as your email suggest the lens may or may not be imported.

and their response today...
Hi

Thats precisely right !! it may be or it may not be becouse it depends on the stock scenerio!!! if stock is limited in uk or shall i say that suppliers favour company to company been polite !!! we have to seek stock elsewere but we have many suppliers overseas who we visit regularly to maintain good relationship and they are your authorised nikon and canon sigma etc dealers no you want to now that if it was an import were will you stand for warranty will should you wish to persue the warranty in uk and sigma do not honour this then we are able to provide the warranty as we are backed by an insurance company for all products for this and work with repair centres here in the uk which are authorised to carry out the repairs ,

Thank You, TCO


Based on this - I guess this means there stock is grey import even though they don't directly say. Hmmmm. Looks like ill be paying high street prices after all.

Mark
I have four Sigma lenses.
All now well over 5 years old.
All bought as "grey" imports.
None have given me the slightest trouble, despite being fairly roughly treated.
One got a bit of a service last year as the front to rear barrel joint was a bit loose.
I can't remember the exact cost, but it was only about £30.00, and included a full clean and service.
I have, however, saved well over £1,500 on UK prices (in fact, I saved over £1,000 on one lens alone!!).
My advice, for what it is worth, is to buy "grey".
YMMV of course.
Roger

... Alternatively, pay less and get a Tamron 90mm!
...tho' whether that will be a grey import, who can say!

BTW - I agree with Rogerdodge - unless you are planning to abuse it and throw it down the stairs, you should never need a warranty - and think of the extras you could buy saving a lot money on the lens.. (teleconverter, extension tubes, filters..... Sorry - a weekend away with the wife, new soft furnishings.....)
N