New 40D

[norn iron]

Got a new 40D today and can't set the date and time, followed the instructions on the user manual but that didn't seem to work.
Anyone else had this trouble.

Ken

[StuartR]

Got a new 40D today and can't set the date and time, followed the instructions on the user manual but that didn't seem to work.
Anyone else had this trouble.

Ken

Tell you tomorrow!

[StuartR]

I set the date and time without problem although it took a couple of minutes to work out the button sequence.

Rotate the large wheel to move between date & time elements, push the centre button to select each one as required and then rotating the wheel allows you to change the value. Press the centre button when you've dialled in the correct value to set it.

First impressions of / thoughts on the 40D (having had it for 5 hours!):

It's big compared to my 350D, not that much different to my 350D with it's grip on.
It's comfortable to hold once you've adjusted to the weight.
It's heavier than I expected (I'm using a Canon 17-85mm IS and I guess the 18-55mm will be lighter).
I'm now wondering if I actually need a grip for the 40D. Apart from the loss of the duplicated buttons on a grip when shooting in portrait mode, it's really comfortable to hold and I'm also worried about the extra weight!
Love the 3" screen - huge after the 350D's 1.8"
The menu layout is an improvement over the 350D
Like the top LCD - reminds me of my old Canon film SLRs
Like being able to see the ISO setting in the viewfinder
Jury's out on live view but I think I'll use it for macro and other tripod-mounted work
I think the controls will be easier to live with in time compared to the 350DGuess I'd better take some pics tomorrow :)

One problem I hadn't really thought about until a couple of days ago - my RAW conversion software (DxO) doesn't have the necessary "modules" for the 40D yet and they won't be drawn on an expected release date (I emailed them and got a very wishy-washy reply). I'll have to shoot RAW+JPG for the interim.

[Patrick]

I set the date and time without problem although it took a couple of minutes to work out the button sequence.

Rotate the large wheel to move between date & time elements, push the centre button to select each one as required and then rotating the wheel allows you to change the value. Press the centre button when you've dialled in the correct value to set it.

First impressions of / thoughts on the 40D (having had it for 5 hours!):

It's big compared to my 350D, not that much different to my 350D with it's grip on.
It's comfortable to hold once you've adjusted to the weight.
It's heavier than I expected (I'm using a Canon 17-85mm IS and I guess the 18-55mm will be lighter).
I'm now wondering if I actually need a grip for the 40D. Apart from the loss of the duplicated buttons on a grip when shooting in portrait mode, it's really comfortable to hold and I'm also worried about the extra weight!
Love the 3" screen - huge after the 350D's 1.8"
The menu layout is an improvement over the 350D
Like the top LCD - reminds me of my old Canon film SLRs
Like being able to see the ISO setting in the viewfinder
Jury's out on live view but I think I'll use it for macro and other tripod-mounted work
I think the controls will be easier to live with in time compared to the 350DGuess I'd better take some pics tomorrow :)

One problem I hadn't really thought about until a couple of days ago - my RAW conversion software (DxO) doesn't have the necessary "modules" for the 40D yet and they won't be drawn on an expected release date (I emailed them and got a very wishy-washy reply). I'll have to shoot RAW+JPG for the interim.

Surly Canon provide software for RAW conversion with the camera, it will be slow but do the job until DxO come up with the upgrade. Incidentally Bibble already have the necessary for the 40D.

Patrick

[Ian]

Surly Canon provide software for RAW conversion with the camera, it will be slow but do the job until DxO come up with the upgrade. Incidentally Bibble already have the necessary for the 40D.

Patrick

Patrick - have you placed your order yet? :)

Ian

[Patrick]

Patrick - have you placed your order yet? :)

Ian

Hi Ian

Not yet waiting a month, see my post Canon 40D again.

Not worried about being first, being mean I would rather wait and get best price and the 10D still does a damn good job so there is no hurry.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Still think THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200149529323&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=200147025173&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget) is a pretty tempting offer :eek:

[Ian]

Still think THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200149529323&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=200147025173&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget) is a pretty tempting offer :eek:

The Hong Kong vendor says 'No duty/VAT to the UK' which is - at the very least - suspicious.

It's not the responsibility of the vendor to pay the VAT and import duty, it's the customer. The courier company is obliged to bill the recipient for the outstanding VAT and duty.

In any case, I thought Patrick had ruled out the 5D because it was too slow? Another 5D owner I know says the same.

Ian

[Patrick]

Still think THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200149529323&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=200147025173&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget) is a pretty tempting offer :eek:

Very Interesting, but I think I will stick to a 40D after fitting a power grip on a 5D I will be out of budget particularly as I would also like a 9G (don't tell the wife:eek: )

I seem to have lost a posting, must have clicked the wrong button and failed to post.

This is what I was saying:-
It strikes me Canon have produced really big numbers of 40d for the launch. In the past there always seem to be a shortage of cameras for some weeks but not so this time.
Are Canon worried about Nikon challenging them for the world number one position and aiming at getting as many of the new camera into peoples hands as quickly as possible. Ian may have some insider knowledge on Canon policy.

A discount war is hotting up already. Warehouse express are £799 with a 2CF free. Digitalrev £595 but thats from Hong Kong and VAT will be added on import, that still only makes it £704 plus carriage.

I'm going to wait a month and see what happens to prices.

Patrick

[Patrick]

The Hong Kong vendor says 'No duty/VAT to the UK' which is - at the very least - suspicious.

It's not the responsibility of the vendor to pay the VAT and import duty, it's the customer. The courier company is obliged to bill the recipient for the outstanding VAT and duty.

In any case, I thought Patrick had ruled out the 5D because it was too slow? Another 5D owner I know says the same.

Ian


A friend of mine bought a 20D from DigitalRev in Hong Kong which said the same thing about Duty/VAT, he received a bill from Customs for £40.
He emailed the seller with a scan of the bill and the VAT charge was credited from DigitalRev to his Paypal account within two days.

Patrick

[Stephen]

I have only had to pay an import duty on a lens bought from HK, but I was still quids in on what I would have paid in the UK. Have also used this particular supplier and paid nothing extra. TBH though it can be a bit of a lottery as to having to pay anything extra

[Ian]

A friend of mine bought a 20D from DigitalRev in Hong Kong which said the same thing about Duty/VAT, he received a bill from Customs for £40.
He emailed the seller with a scan of the bill and the VAT charge was credited from DigitalRev to his Paypal account within two days.

Patrick

Fair enough, though in general one needs to be careful (goes without saying really).

Canon UK probably won't honour a warranty claim either.

Ian

[Patrick]

Fair enough, though in general one needs to be careful (goes without saying really).

Canon UK probably won't honour a warranty claim either.

Ian

I confess to worrying about buying from HK, but on ebay DigitalRev and a couple of others have very high satisfaction rating with almost 20,000 positive posts (98.8%) thats a lot of satisfied customers.
Apparently they offer for an extra charge of £10 a international guarantee, worth it I would think.
Stephen did well my friend and some of his other friends have done well, so what can you say.
If you are dealing with a reputable company these worries shouldn't be a problem just a case of trying I suppose.

Patrick

[Patrick]

I confess to worrying about buying from HK, but on ebay DigitalRev and a couple of others have very high satisfaction rating with almost 20,000 positive posts (98.8%) thats a lot of satisfied customers.
Apparently they offer for an extra charge of £10 a international guarantee, worth it I would think.
Stephen did well my friend and some of his other friends have done well, so what can you say.
If you are dealing with a reputable company these worries shouldn't be a problem just a case of trying I suppose.

Patrick

I have just checked the delivery charge made by DigitalRev for the 40D and its £55, so if VAT @ 17.5% is collected by customs based on the camera price of £589.99 = £103.25 and then add £10 for the international guarantee the total is £703.24 then add £55 carriage the total bill is £758.24

Warehouse express are charging £799 plus a free 2gig Scanisk extreme III worth £28.99 including delivery, that makes the camera £770.1 this includes delivery.
There is a saving but is this small amount worth all the trouble of buying from HK? If however customs don't bill for VAT which apperantly can happen, then its a different story.
In my case I'm VAT registered and use my camera regularly for by business photographing products so I can claim it back anyway.

A UK purchase I think.:D

Patrick

[Ian]

I have just checked the delivery charge made by DigitalRev for the 40D and its £55, so if VAT @ 17.5% is collected by customs based on the camera price of £589.99 = £103.25 and then add £10 for the international guarantee the total is £703.24 then add £55 carriage the total bill is £758.24

Warehouse express are charging £799 plus a free 2gig Scanisk extreme III worth £28.99 including delivery, that makes the camera £770.1 this includes delivery.
There is a saving but is this small amount worth all the trouble of buying from HK? If however customs don't bill for VAT which apperantly can happen, then its a different story.
In my case I'm VAT registered and use my camera regularly for by business photographing products so I can claim it back anyway.

A UK purchase I think.:D

Patrick

If, as has been suggested, you can show that you have been charged VAT and get that refunded from the vendor, what's to stop you from claiming the VAT back anyway?

Personally, if the saving is £20-£30 or so, I'd rather buy from one of our hard-pressed dealers here at home. Also, I always get caught when I rarely 'chance' anything :(

Ian

[Stephen]

As I see it, the price from Digital Rev inc the warranty and delivery is £655, if you buy from Warehouse Express it will be £829. So thats a saving of £174.

Now there is no way as I see it that VAT will be charged, only potential import duty, which will be around £40 if my experience is anything to go by. If DRev refund that so much the better

So yer pays yer money and takes yer choice. :D

[Ian]

As I see it, the price from Digital Rev inc the warranty and delivery is £655, if you buy from Warehouse Express it will be £829. So thats a saving of £174.

Now there is no way as I see it that VAT will be charged, only potential import duty, which will be around £40 if my experience is anything to go by. If DRev refund that so much the better

So yer pays yer money and takes yer choice. :D

Why shouldn't you be charged VAT? Did you declare your VAT status with the exporter? That could be why, perhaps? I'm pretty sure I have been charged both VAT and duty on items for review that have been shipped from abroad - these are items that I didn't even pay for in the first place.

I'm VAT registered too, so it doesn't bother me that much, but for others it could be a rude surprise.

Ian

[Stephen]

Why shouldn't you be charged VAT? Did you declare your VAT status with the exporter? That could be why, perhaps? I'm pretty sure I have been charged both VAT and duty on items for review that have been shipped from abroad - these are items that I didn't even pay for in the first place.

I'm VAT registered too, so it doesn't bother me that much, but for others it could be a rude surprise.

Ian

I'm not 100% sure of the laws regarding these things. However as I see it if you buy something from a foreign country you pay their taxes. Its why the booze cruise brigade do so well out of going to the Calais hypermarkets. You don't get charged VAT on alchohol when you come back because you have paid the local tax already So, if this is the case on a lens/camera from HK the only possibility that remains is import duty, which is different to VAT. The UPS man that knocked on my door only wanted the Duty not VAT.

I do however agree that sometimes it can be cheaper in this country if you are VAT registered and is one reason I don't buy much from 7DS and other Channel Isle VAT free zones.

[Ian]

I'm not 100% sure of the laws regarding these things. However as I see it if you buy something from a foreign country you pay their taxes. Its why the booze cruise brigade do so well out of going to the Calais hypermarkets. You don't get charged VAT on alchohol when you come back because you have paid the local tax already So, if this is the case on a lens/camera from HK the only possibility that remains is import duty, which is different to VAT. The UPS man that knocked on my door only wanted the Duty not VAT.

I do however agree that sometimes it can be cheaper in this country if you are VAT registered and is one reason I don't buy much from 7DS and other Channel Isle VAT free zones.

If you pay the local VAT in a country within the EU, there is no further VAT to be paid in importation of the goods to the UK. I don't think customs duty is applicable in intra EU trade either.

But importing from outside the EU is different, see:

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100092022

Both import duty and VAT are liable. You may even be charged a handling fee by the post office or shipping company, which is not reclaimable.

I wouldn't be surprised if - assuming you declare the purchase against income or corporate tax - one's accountant could expect paperwork to account for these tax charges.

Ian

Ian

[StuartR]

Surly Canon provide software for RAW conversion with the camera, it will be slow but do the job until DxO come up with the upgrade. Incidentally Bibble already have the necessary for the 40D.

Patrick

You're right, they do and that's what I'm now using for the interim. It seems pretty basic compared to DxO and it obviously doesn't do the auto distortion / geometry correction that DxO does (and my 17-85mm needs!). Hopefully DxO will have it sorted soon.

[himmelblau]

Still think THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200149529323&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=200147025173&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget) is a pretty tempting offer :eek:

Kea Photo on eBay is owned by two Canadians living in HK; I have bought quite a few items from them and have never had a problem with customs.

Nikon UK will honour the warranty on lenses as they come with international warranties but not a camera body as it is classed as electrical and comes with an HK warranty and therefore has to be sent back to HK for any repairs that have to be carried out during the warranty period.

Items shipped via Fedex usually arrive within three days.

Brian