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Recomendations on were to buy CFV
- Thread starter mr_orange
- Start date
Paul:
I think B & H would be your best bet. GST is that General Sales Tax? If so, I don't think so, but I am sure they will answer your questions.
http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?
You should also check and see if there is any import taxes where you live.
Regards:
Gilbert
I think B & H would be your best bet. GST is that General Sales Tax? If so, I don't think so, but I am sure they will answer your questions.
http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?
You should also check and see if there is any import taxes where you live.
Regards:
Gilbert
> Paul,
27 months ago I bought my H1D from Pictureline in Salt Lake City , Utah USA , online and have received excellent service. The whole kit with lenses etc saved me around NZ$13,000. I am about to upgrade to the HD3 39 and have no reason not to buy through them. Keep in mind that you will be rubbished by the NZ Distributor and their Agent who frequents this forum. If you have a warranty problem, it takes around 30 hours to reach Hassy USA - it would take the same time for the NZ Agents just to send it to Australia before they sent it on to Europe for repairs. By the way it will cost US 10k to upgrade my H1D - from memory another 3k if I bought it in NZ. If you want further info, contact me of list.
Regards, Bruce
27 months ago I bought my H1D from Pictureline in Salt Lake City , Utah USA , online and have received excellent service. The whole kit with lenses etc saved me around NZ$13,000. I am about to upgrade to the HD3 39 and have no reason not to buy through them. Keep in mind that you will be rubbished by the NZ Distributor and their Agent who frequents this forum. If you have a warranty problem, it takes around 30 hours to reach Hassy USA - it would take the same time for the NZ Agents just to send it to Australia before they sent it on to Europe for repairs. By the way it will cost US 10k to upgrade my H1D - from memory another 3k if I bought it in NZ. If you want further info, contact me of list.
Regards, Bruce
J
Jeffg53
Paul, if NZ laws are like Oz ones, you will pay GST on the back and the freight. A quick call to NZ Customs should clear that one up.
I would be very wary of buying from out of NZ for something like this. No matter how good an online store, nothing beats eyeballing your friendly local Hasselblad man.
I bought my H3D in Australia. The support that I get is great. Being able to get on the phone and ask a dumb question is priceless, IMHO.
I would be very wary of buying from out of NZ for something like this. No matter how good an online store, nothing beats eyeballing your friendly local Hasselblad man.
I bought my H3D in Australia. The support that I get is great. Being able to get on the phone and ask a dumb question is priceless, IMHO.
>
Jeff, You are right, GST will need to be paid on entry to New Zealand and is fully refundable if you are GST Registered -( just like purchasing it in NZ.) I can assure you that when you spend this amount of money you get to eyeball your dealer if you wish. As for asking dumb questions what is wrong with this forum! And it is available 24 hours a day! The more of us who own and use these new machines, the quicker our experienced responses will be.
Jeff, You are right, GST will need to be paid on entry to New Zealand and is fully refundable if you are GST Registered -( just like purchasing it in NZ.) I can assure you that when you spend this amount of money you get to eyeball your dealer if you wish. As for asking dumb questions what is wrong with this forum! And it is available 24 hours a day! The more of us who own and use these new machines, the quicker our experienced responses will be.
$10K seems right.
I started witha H2D/22, upgraded to a H2D/39 for $5,000. then to a H3D/39 for another $2,000. The H1 camera will most likely be upgraded ... which means the H1 grip batteries may be obsolete if you have extra ones.
Also, ask your tech people about your lenses, if they are the older ones they may also have to be upgraded with new data bus chips depending on when you got the H1D.
I know that in the US (maybe everywhere), they have a loyality program that may apply to your purchase: 10% off.
It cant' hurt to ask.
I started witha H2D/22, upgraded to a H2D/39 for $5,000. then to a H3D/39 for another $2,000. The H1 camera will most likely be upgraded ... which means the H1 grip batteries may be obsolete if you have extra ones.
Also, ask your tech people about your lenses, if they are the older ones they may also have to be upgraded with new data bus chips depending on when you got the H1D.
I know that in the US (maybe everywhere), they have a loyality program that may apply to your purchase: 10% off.
It cant' hurt to ask.
curtishight
New Member
Paul,
Following Bruce's comments: I walked into a new photography store in Salt Lake in the mid to late 1980s and was greeted by a friendly young Dane named Jens; the store was Pictureline and since then I've watched it, from afar, grow, move locations twice, vastly expand its product offerings, offer rentals, go on-line, and be filled with knowledgeable and committed employees. My last major purchase from them was for a Broncolor Grafit A4 system and I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to work with them.
I'm eager to support local businesses, in your case in New Zealand, but if you're going to order on-line I heartily recommend Pictureline.
www.pictureline.com
Curtis
Anchorage, Alaska
Following Bruce's comments: I walked into a new photography store in Salt Lake in the mid to late 1980s and was greeted by a friendly young Dane named Jens; the store was Pictureline and since then I've watched it, from afar, grow, move locations twice, vastly expand its product offerings, offer rentals, go on-line, and be filled with knowledgeable and committed employees. My last major purchase from them was for a Broncolor Grafit A4 system and I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to work with them.
I'm eager to support local businesses, in your case in New Zealand, but if you're going to order on-line I heartily recommend Pictureline.
www.pictureline.com
Curtis
Anchorage, Alaska
vandevantersh
Member
Paul..As best I can determine, all the online sites quote the same price of ~$9,995 US for the CFV. A lot of sites have long waiting times before the item is shipped. I just ordered a CFV for BH photo in New York. They are out of stock but said I should receive it in 7-10 days. They charge sales tax only for NY and NJ residents. BH is considered to be very reliable and I have purchased quite a few items from them on-line without problems. For international orders, they have a disclaimer that they cannot offer advice on custom fees or local importation taxes, etc.
There is also a no return policy on digital backs, (no free home trials), you buy it-you own it.
Hope this helps. (Also batteries and charger are not included)
Steve
There is also a no return policy on digital backs, (no free home trials), you buy it-you own it.
Hope this helps. (Also batteries and charger are not included)
Steve
The big issue is still, for me, the warranty.
Bruce, is it the case that an online purchase through the internet from USA means that you can post the camera to Hasselblad USA and they will do warranty stuff and post it back??
That is something. Although, if something goes wrong, then good luck, as there is nothing like fronting up to the office to get some clarity on an issue.
It is a bane of us living down here that prices are so much higher for stuff like that (not for everything, mind, and...well we are living in Australia or NZ, which is enough said!).
I know there are far fewer people (Aust has 1/14 of the population of the USA in about the same area as the main US bit), but for items like this it seems a bit unnecessary. It would take all of a day and not much money to air freight big ticket things from Japan/Sweden on demand.
Perhaps distributors have to haggle on volume? Or is it solely retailers cutting their mark up (it would be interesting to know wholesale prices!)
Or maybe there really a supply limitation and big markets/vendors get preference and little ones are set high prices for those really keen?
Perhaps the supply limitation is partly marketing to keep prices high (no, they would never do that!).
Nick
Bruce, is it the case that an online purchase through the internet from USA means that you can post the camera to Hasselblad USA and they will do warranty stuff and post it back??
That is something. Although, if something goes wrong, then good luck, as there is nothing like fronting up to the office to get some clarity on an issue.
It is a bane of us living down here that prices are so much higher for stuff like that (not for everything, mind, and...well we are living in Australia or NZ, which is enough said!).
I know there are far fewer people (Aust has 1/14 of the population of the USA in about the same area as the main US bit), but for items like this it seems a bit unnecessary. It would take all of a day and not much money to air freight big ticket things from Japan/Sweden on demand.
Perhaps distributors have to haggle on volume? Or is it solely retailers cutting their mark up (it would be interesting to know wholesale prices!)
Or maybe there really a supply limitation and big markets/vendors get preference and little ones are set high prices for those really keen?
Perhaps the supply limitation is partly marketing to keep prices high (no, they would never do that!).
Nick
Nick, If you buy from a genuine Hasselblad dealer in USA you have a genuine USA Hasselblad. This entitles you to send the camera back to that dealer for warranty repairs - just the same if you lived 4 blocks from that store. The only downside is the extra cost to ship over and back. The upside is that it gets to the repair facility much faster and if you ever want to sell it, by doing so to the USA market means that it will not be gray to them. I too would have rather bought locally - but neither the economics or proposed service stacked up within cooey of the USA deal.
I've said this before and it may be worth repeating.
These backs aren't repaired locally. Nor are the H cameras for the most part.
What really counts is the tech support that the dealer provides, or the path to the Hasselblad
tech support. I personally would never buy this sort of item from a mass retailer, even B&H as good as they usually are.
My first Imacon was from Calumet in California, and when I had issues, they were clueless.
In contrast, I purchased subsequent backs from City Lights Digital in Madison Heights, Michigan, and Jim Arnosky knows a ton about these backs because he is a photographer... and has a tight relationship with Hasselblad. Training was through, trouble shooting a phone call away, and access to tech support was handled by him.
Just a thought to consider.
These backs aren't repaired locally. Nor are the H cameras for the most part.
What really counts is the tech support that the dealer provides, or the path to the Hasselblad
tech support. I personally would never buy this sort of item from a mass retailer, even B&H as good as they usually are.
My first Imacon was from Calumet in California, and when I had issues, they were clueless.
In contrast, I purchased subsequent backs from City Lights Digital in Madison Heights, Michigan, and Jim Arnosky knows a ton about these backs because he is a photographer... and has a tight relationship with Hasselblad. Training was through, trouble shooting a phone call away, and access to tech support was handled by him.
Just a thought to consider.
Hasselblad. Training was through, trouble shooting a phone call away, and access to tech support was handled by him.>
It is nice that he worked through your problems for you.
I have called Hasselblad service many times and usually have received immediate attention and or a very prompt return call.
And the techs have been smart enough to leave the answer to my question on my machine when I haven't been able to take the call, no phone tag. Also, I have never felt rushed by any person or tech when discussing a problem or question.
As for B & H they too have always been helpful, and more importantly to me they have refunded my money every time I have asked for it, and when they were unable to fill my order. Once I ordered a special order item and a week later I noticed I had provided the wrong stock number to them, they immediately corrected the order and had the correct item shipped to me. More than one store here only offer store credit and not refunds, so for me that is a big plus. Also, I am sure B & H has an excellent relationship with Hasselblad and provide the kind of service to their local customers that you receive. They also offer live help via email.
Stephen:
The following is the actual notice from the B & H site for the CFV
"Important Notice!
This item cannot be returned or exchanged unless defective"
want to pay through the nose for someone else to ship it to USA/ Europe for you? .>
If you are going to be able to save a great deal of money to me it would be worth the risk it as most likely you will not have any problems and the savings will pay for any required shipping. AS for questions, the world is at your fingertips, now the answers may require a bit of salt, but on this forum, most give the best answer possible and take the time to do so. Also, as someone else stated as more and more use these new backs the more we will know about them.
I would also suggest that you download the manual first and read it before you buy it. That way you will have a better idea of what you are getting into and if you buy it you will be a leg up, as they say.
Regards:
Gilbert
It is nice that he worked through your problems for you.
I have called Hasselblad service many times and usually have received immediate attention and or a very prompt return call.
And the techs have been smart enough to leave the answer to my question on my machine when I haven't been able to take the call, no phone tag. Also, I have never felt rushed by any person or tech when discussing a problem or question.
As for B & H they too have always been helpful, and more importantly to me they have refunded my money every time I have asked for it, and when they were unable to fill my order. Once I ordered a special order item and a week later I noticed I had provided the wrong stock number to them, they immediately corrected the order and had the correct item shipped to me. More than one store here only offer store credit and not refunds, so for me that is a big plus. Also, I am sure B & H has an excellent relationship with Hasselblad and provide the kind of service to their local customers that you receive. They also offer live help via email.
Stephen:
The following is the actual notice from the B & H site for the CFV
"Important Notice!
This item cannot be returned or exchanged unless defective"
want to pay through the nose for someone else to ship it to USA/ Europe for you? .>
If you are going to be able to save a great deal of money to me it would be worth the risk it as most likely you will not have any problems and the savings will pay for any required shipping. AS for questions, the world is at your fingertips, now the answers may require a bit of salt, but on this forum, most give the best answer possible and take the time to do so. Also, as someone else stated as more and more use these new backs the more we will know about them.
I would also suggest that you download the manual first and read it before you buy it. That way you will have a better idea of what you are getting into and if you buy it you will be a leg up, as they say.
Regards:
Gilbert
Try reaching Hasselblad service techs on the weekend while shooting a location job with 5 models on the clock : -)
I've done it with my re-seller... who walked me through trouble shooting that wasn't in any published manual. I've also had Flexcolor questions that he helped me with while processing a job in the evening for a job due in the AM.
Don't get me wrong, B&H is a fine retailer. And I also have returned defective items for refund. But they are not deep into these backs the way some of these independent re-sellers are ... especially ones who actually shoot with them. IMHO, Hasselblad was wise to grant these kind of re-sellers the title Authorized USA Hasselblad Dealer. No difference in price, big difference in after-sales relationship.
Well, actually there is even a difference in price once you buy from some of these re-sellers. Not only do I get the 10% Hassleblad loyalty discount, I also have received an additional discount from the re-seller on subsequent purchases.
If you get an Imacon/Hasselblad back, there are pro level blogs that have users from all over the world discussing gear related questions that far outstrip anything we can do here ... at least for now. NIck, who sometimes posts here, is a moderator on one of these I follow.
Almost none of what I've learned there is published in the manual. In fact, that site recently offered a PDF of accumulated knowledge I've downloaded for reference.
It isn't just trouble shooting, it's ways to get more out of these digital backs than one could possibly imagine.
I've done it with my re-seller... who walked me through trouble shooting that wasn't in any published manual. I've also had Flexcolor questions that he helped me with while processing a job in the evening for a job due in the AM.
Don't get me wrong, B&H is a fine retailer. And I also have returned defective items for refund. But they are not deep into these backs the way some of these independent re-sellers are ... especially ones who actually shoot with them. IMHO, Hasselblad was wise to grant these kind of re-sellers the title Authorized USA Hasselblad Dealer. No difference in price, big difference in after-sales relationship.
Well, actually there is even a difference in price once you buy from some of these re-sellers. Not only do I get the 10% Hassleblad loyalty discount, I also have received an additional discount from the re-seller on subsequent purchases.
If you get an Imacon/Hasselblad back, there are pro level blogs that have users from all over the world discussing gear related questions that far outstrip anything we can do here ... at least for now. NIck, who sometimes posts here, is a moderator on one of these I follow.
Almost none of what I've learned there is published in the manual. In fact, that site recently offered a PDF of accumulated knowledge I've downloaded for reference.
It isn't just trouble shooting, it's ways to get more out of these digital backs than one could possibly imagine.
curtishight
New Member
Mark,
Please provide links for the blogs you reference.
Curtis
Please provide links for the blogs you reference.
Curtis
You have to be invited to the Hasselblad/Imacon one I follow ... and Nick does the inviting.
I understand that it may not be avantagious to open up such a site to the general public, since the participants are all very busy professional photographers who are working through usage and tech questions on an immediate basis.
However, I think it would be nice if Nick opened that site up to non-participants. Sort of a
peanut gallery observing without clogging up the works. I cannot tell you how much I've learned just silently reading exchanges between these working professional protographers.
Seeing some of their work is an eye opener also.
Nick, you out there? What's the possibility? Your thoughts?
I understand that it may not be avantagious to open up such a site to the general public, since the participants are all very busy professional photographers who are working through usage and tech questions on an immediate basis.
However, I think it would be nice if Nick opened that site up to non-participants. Sort of a
peanut gallery observing without clogging up the works. I cannot tell you how much I've learned just silently reading exchanges between these working professional protographers.
Seeing some of their work is an eye opener also.
Nick, you out there? What's the possibility? Your thoughts?
Don't get me wrong, B&H is a fine retailer. And I also have returned defective items for refund. But they are not deep into these backs the way some of these independent re-sellers are ... especially ones who actually shoot with them. IMHO, Hasselblad was wise to grant these kind of re-sellers the title Authorized USA Hasselblad Dealer. No difference in price, big difference in after-sales relationship. >
Marc:
And, they too are an Authorized Hasselblad Dealer.
Congratulations, I understand Hasselblad has published your photograph of the Harley Davidson you made with your CFV.
Regards:
Gilbert
Marc:
And, they too are an Authorized Hasselblad Dealer.
Congratulations, I understand Hasselblad has published your photograph of the Harley Davidson you made with your CFV.
Regards:
Gilbert
Thanks for the Congrats Gilbert ... it was just a grab shot while walking around.
To clarify, I never said B&H wasn't an Authorized Dealer. I bought some of my HC lenses from them. My reseller doesn't do as well on lens price, and lenses aren't of the same operating complexity to need that much support.
My point was that highly knowledgable re-sellers out there offer "value-added" intense support with the gear at no extra cost.
Where people go to buy their is their business. Just trying to share lessons learned the hard way.
To clarify, I never said B&H wasn't an Authorized Dealer. I bought some of my HC lenses from them. My reseller doesn't do as well on lens price, and lenses aren't of the same operating complexity to need that much support.
My point was that highly knowledgable re-sellers out there offer "value-added" intense support with the gear at no extra cost.
Where people go to buy their is their business. Just trying to share lessons learned the hard way.