Buying a Nikon D90 from the states?

[hammock monkey]

I'm a the verge of buying my first DSLR, and the D90 is the one I want. Its pretty light weekend use, 99% wildlife.
There are sellers on the 'bay that have d90's with huge (and half decent looking) "5 lens + " kits, and the prices are incredible. Too good to be true? I'm willing to take the chance as they seem totally legit, but before I do, has anyone got any experience with them?
The problems I envisage could be:
1) Invalidating the warranty.
2) Possible battery charger issues, 110V > 230V.
3) Other incompatability issues with UK software etc.

I'm sure there must be a very good reason why its not a good idea to buy from the US, I just dont know it yet...can anyone enlighten me?

cheers

[pressld2]

Just had a quick browse and they're stating that it's a USA warranty so you'd probably need to return it to Nikon US if you had a problem.

You'll be fine with the charger as they work on any input between 100 and 240 volts but it will have an American plug on it. Just cut that off and wire up to a UK three pin plug and you'll be fine.

Not much spec on the lenses but from looking at the pictures they are the cheapest ones that Nikon make. (E.g. the 70-300 is not the current VR lens that Warehouse Express are selling at £423.99, rather it is the old, non-VR, G type lens which I bought brand new in the UK for £89.99). There is also more than one 50mm lens in Nikon's line up and I strongly suspect you'll be getting the cheapest version.

Having said all that, it still looks a very good price for what you're getting.

Dave P.

[charlieb]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Just cut that off and wire up to a UK three pin plug and you'll be fine.

Unless you do it wrong....

[kiff]

first of if you get hit with import tax your end up paying well over a thousand pound for it

you only get 1 years warranty that's only valid in American where as Nikon UK offer you 2 years if you fill in the card or register on-line,

2 of the lenses are just cheap add-ons the wide angle you would never use as the 18 to 55 lens covers all your wide angle needs, the 2x tele-converter you really would not won't to use it with the 70-300mm your most likely lose to much quality

the inbuilt flash on the D90 is probably better then the other one they give you

have a look at Argos for about £730 you can get the d90 with 18 to 105 VR lens and 2 years UK warranty and no nasty surprise from the postman asking you to pay extra import tax

[hammock monkey]

good points there - thanks

its a toss up between a biggish U.S kit that has everything and upgrade the lenses over time or a more modest UK kit that has a couple of decent lenses that I'll hopefully use for years.

warehouse express has a decent looking kit for 1039, getting the UK warranty has to be a good thing...and I'd prefer to spend in the UK anyhow.


thanks for your help!

cheers

[s1moran]

Not really worth the bother buying from the usa at the moment,when you add the import duty plus vat and carriage ,oh and post office handling charge,and the risk you take ie may get damaged in in transit,in my opinion not worth it to save a few ponds, (have done it)

[hammock monkey]

I'm coming to that same conclusion, the deal from WE for d90 with a couple of sigma lenses looks pretty good.
Its a tricky thing to know what to buy, I'm a 1st timer & I dont know anyone who really knows their stuff, so I think its a case of 'hit it and hope'!

cheers for the help everyone!

[Maccattack1]

Look to the long term , you are buying a "proper" camera ,there are more scams in the usa than here so i'd be wary and buy from somewhere thats going to be around for a while. Some of the nikon specialist shops have good deals ,but mostly in January...

Malcolm