ZI Seller in Canada?

Andrew Sowerby

Andrew Sowerby

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Does anyone know of a Canadian store that sells ZI bodies and lenses? Via the internet, I mean. I've been thinking about getting one but I'm not keen on paying a lot of duty.

Thanks
 
Zeiss is supposed to be distributed through the Hasselblad dealer network, which would be Amplis in Canada. Zeiss would not offer service and support to Amplis - supposedly not even dealer demos! You would have to deal direct with Cossina for warranty service.
I just read recently that Zeiss is setting up their own direct sales service.
 
To the best of my knowledge, although Amplis is listed as distributor; I think you'll be hard pressed to find a retailer :( in Canada

I've looked in the Toronto area and came up empty - even though my local shop carries Voigtlanders (and has them in stock) - they do not, and said they will not, carry the ZI :(

Dave
 
my local pro shop isn't carrying the zi at all. i think they had a hard time selling the few cv products they brought in.
they have had the same leica in the display case for ages and still have a cv 90, i think.

canada is still a small population compared to our neighbor and most are buying digital.

the store here has redesigned itself with the digital up front and the film gear (& film) in the rear of the store.
 
Buy from CameraQuest. Mr. Gandy is a nice guy and he will ensure that you won't have to pay any taxes! I mean, it will cost even less than if you buy from Canada.
 
Andrew, there is no duty on 35 mm cameras coming into Canada , refer to the CCR Tariff Guide. You will pay normal resident taxes such as Provincial and General Sales Taxes, but you will pay those if you purchase in Canada. You can buy in the US, Mongolia or Easter Island all the same regarding duty on 35mm cameras for Rev Cda.

Good luck!

Andrew Sowerby said:
Does anyone know of a Canadian store that sells ZI bodies and lenses? Via the internet, I mean. I've been thinking about getting one but I'm not keen on paying a lot of duty.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Lenses could be an issue - I haven't been hit yet, but even so, most duties are under 3%. If there's a camera in there, duty is unlikely to be applied to the lenses.
 
You won't get a better price than from Cameraquest or the US sellers. In my experience, the Canadian distributors have no concept of fair or competitive pricing. You will pay GST/PST regardless of where you buy it.

Good luck
Vick
 
If you want a factory warranty (as opposed to a dealer warranty), you will have to buy from the Zeiss (NOT Hasselblad anymore) network or big vendors like B&H, unless you are in Japan.

You can also order directly online from Apr 3 at http://www.zeiss.com/photo

And you have to decide whether the factory warranty is worth paying more.
 
Vickko said:
You won't get a better price than from Cameraquest or the US sellers. In my experience, the Canadian distributors have no concept of fair or competitive pricing. You will pay GST/PST regardless of where you buy it.

Good luck
Vick
Click to expand...

That is so true, especially the no concept part.

Nikon Bob
 
Thanks for the replies -- still weighing my options. $2500+ would be by far the most I've spent on camera equipment. Decisions, decisions . . . maybe some Zeiss/CV combo and move up gradually.

Sorry, thinking out loud. Thanks again.
 
That depends on the brand. This week Canon dropped the prices of most of their L lenses - some as much as $300! Panasonic keeps the price of their pro video equipment very close to U.S prices.
I'm not arguing by any means, but I see too many Canadians automatically buying in the U.S. because they assume it will be cheaper, without doing their research.
I think in the case of the Zeiss, however, I would probably get it from CameraQuest!
 
Mazurka said:
If you want a factory warranty (as opposed to a dealer warranty), you will have to buy from the Zeiss (NOT Hasselblad anymore) network or big vendors like B&H, unless you are in Japan.

You can also order directly online from Apr 3 at http://www.zeiss.com/photo

And you have to decide whether the factory warranty is worth paying more.
Click to expand...

You can get factory warranty & an excellent price from Robert White in England (www.robertwhite.co.uk). Another alternative with factory warranty & prices comparable to Camera Quest is Dr. Joseph Yao in Hong Kong (e-mail joseph@yao.com). Excellent dealer!
 
I purchased my ZI system from Dr. Yao, and as I experinced, he is an ultimate gentleman. Very helping, responsive, and insightful a person, I must say.

I received the package I ordered in a few days - it took even several days shorter than the time for a dometstic dealer located in the same State (CA, i.e.). All transaction was flawless.

As for the ZI system, his price was comparable to a gray market price, and there was no custom tax.

Overall, it was a very nice experience and I believe it made a lasting relationship!
When I go visit Hong Kong next year (hopefully!) I might visit his store.. :cool:
 
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Huck Finn said:
You can get factory warranty & an excellent price from Robert White in England (www.robertwhite.co.uk). Another alternative with factory warranty & prices comparable to Camera Quest is Dr. Joseph Yao in Hong Kong (e-mail joseph@yao.com).
Click to expand...

IIRC from Robert White's reply to my e-mail, it's a store warranty. Unfortunately I can't find the message now. Better check with them directly.

As for Joseph Yao, he got the ZI through the Hasselblad network. See whether he is getting it from Zeiss now.
 
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Mazurka said:
IIRC from Robert White's reply to my e-mail, it's a store warranty. Unfortunately I can't find the message now. Better check with them directly.

As for Joseph Yao, he got the ZI through the Hasselblad network. See whether he is getting it from Zeiss now.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on Robert White, Mazurka. I don't know that they were selling grey market, but given their price, it makes sense.

Joseph Yao has been selling Ikons obtained through the official Zeiss distribution channels, which were Hasselblad until recently. He told me at the time that he could have offered a better price from a grey market distributor but that he wasn't interested in selling this camera as a grey market product. So, I would assume that he is still receiving his inventory through official channels, accompanied by a factory warranty. . . Unless of course, the camera & lenses are now only available directly from Zeiss & not from any retailers, which would mean the B&H, Adorama, etc. are also out of the loop. Is that your understanding?
 
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