Today, by virtues of the Internet, I’ve learned that Canon has an excellent but cheap lens. It is a standard 50mm 1.8 EF II lens, which costs around $70 USD. According to reviews and technical characteristics, it is much better than the kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55).
The hope was born inside of me. I hoped that our local Canon distributor would have this lens for a reasonable price. I wanted to use it in the upcoming shooting of the Cyprus Rally 2005. As usual, I was expecting the price to be double or even slightly more of those $70 USD.
The distributor indeed had the lens. But the price was quadruple!!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I kid you not – I was offered the lens for 130 CYP, which is a bit more than $240 USD.
Needless to say, I ran out of the shop and I’m never coming back, since this is my second experience with this place and the trend suggests that things are getting worse.
:) I know the feeling. Sometimes I feel like doing all of my purchases online.
Why when you compare stuff with other countries there is a huge difference in the price?
I wanted to buy EOS20D. But the prices here as u said unbelievable. And the problem that its not actually possible to buy electronics online. They simply do not ship here, even from EU. I really thinking to go Emirates or Dubai. It will be cheaper even if to pay for a trip :-)
I also think u put something wrong about lenses. EF-S is better than EF since it is zoom lenses and EF is only extended focus and thats it. U can’t change focus length – it stays 50mm foreva!
Igor,
You can buy Canon 20D from a number of shops online. I’ve got my Canon 300d from Digital Foto Club – http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/ . They ship to Cyprus just fine.
As to the lens, it depends on what you want. Zoom lenses are convenient to use, but they loose on quality. The 50mm lense that I mentioned produces much sharper pictures than the EF-S 18-55 lens from the kit. Also, the maximum aperture is different. EF-S 18-55 has a maximum of f/3.5 at 18mm. The 500mm is f/1.8. f/1.8 takes in a lot of more light, which means I can use it in much darker conditions without a flash. The sharpness and bigger aperture make the 50mm a much better choice for me. I am prepared to walk those few steps that a zoom gives. :)
And taxes?
I ordered several times. Sometimes I paid the tax, and sometimes – not.