Canon EOS 300D/Digital Rebel

I am visiting Florida in November for a few weeks and am looking at the
possibility of buying a Canon Digital Rebel as the US cost is about 35% -
40% less than UK.

My question is will I have any problems using the US (110v) battery charger
in the UK (240v)?

Any help much appreciated and any comments on the features/performance of
the camera.

Thanks
Mouse

 

I'm not sure about this one in particular, but I know many chargers do work
at both voltages. I had no trouble with most of my stuff when I was in
Europe a few years ago. I did check the manuals first though. Maybe you
can look in the online PDF manuals at Canon's website.

 

The charger accepts an input of 100v to 240v. It does only come with the
US-style plug. The cord is detachable from the charger, which would lead me
to believe that a European-style cord could easily replace the US version.

Even if you had to buy a charger, you'd still come out way ahead on the
price difference you had mentioned.

 

Thanks for that. I'll definitely get one ordered for delivery when I get to
Florida.

I wish someone (maybe even someone at Canon) could explain why there is such
a huge differential in price. The UK price of this camera is approx GBP 850
mail order inc lens while US mail order is about USD 900.

 

Taxes..

I'm Canadian and we face the same thing.. Our governments provide a lot more
social services than the US goverment does. Those services aren't free. We
pay for them in taxes.. (Duty.. VAT etc).

Businesses that sell goods pay more tax on their profits as well.. The cost of
the tax on business is reflected in the higher price on the shelf.. Canon of
Britain pays more taxes and so does the wholesaler and eventually the
retailer.

Consider fuel tax.. Once a 300D arrives on the shore of a country, it winds up
being conveyed by truck at least once. The truck needs fuel. The fuel cost
is incorporated into the shipping cost. In the US, a trucker's fuel cost is
about 1.10 GBP per Imperial gallon for petrol (I converted it).. What is it
in Britain ?

Speaking of taxes.. I'd contact your local customs branch to see what they're
going to charge you for importing the camera..

Oh yes.. I'd check on warranty as well.. I'm pretty sure cameras sold in
North America only have a North American warranty. You may find you have to
send the camera to a US warranty depot if you run into troubles..

 

How much is the duty going to cost to get it home? Sometimes, the price can
go pretty high for products such as this.

 

Since it uses the same battery as my D60 I assume that it uses the same or a
similar battery charger. The charger will handle voltages from 100 V to
240V, but the North American plug will not fit into UK sockets. You can buy
a really cheap adapter plug that converts the plug, just plug the charger
cord into the adapter and the adapter into the UK wall socket. I used a
similar adapter on my trip to South Africa last year. You do not need or
want a much more expensive voltage converter.

For long term use you could either cut off the American plug and install a
UK one or just try to find a replacement cord in the UK.

Scott Elliot
http://www3.telus.net/selliot/

 

Yes I agree we pay higher taxes in the UK - it's a moot point whether we
receive better public services. Since our present government was elected our
taxes have increased by about 60% while health, education, transport etc
have gone down the pan. But that's another story.

I think I'll live life on the edge and carry it through in my camera bag
with other stuff. After all I'll be returning from vacation. I know this
makes me a outlaw and smuggler but hey, what the hell.

I'll to check out the warranty situation with Canon.

Cheers.

 

I've seen on the forums at dpreview that the US 300Ds come with a
worldwide warranty.

 

Bear in mind that you'll run this risk every time you take it out of the
country. Many years ago my wife took her Nikon with her on a business
trip to NZ. On the way back she had to wait while customs checked the
serial numbers to confirm it had been properly imported into the UK.
This despite the obvious signs of use/wear & tear.

T.

 

Hi, I have returend from Florida this morning after a weeks holiday.

I bought a Digi Rebel whilst out there from Ritz Cameras in the Beltz Oulet
off I drive. They were only delivered last Thursday and I got mine on the
Friday.

I paid $999 for the kit inc lens and am very pleased. My only advice for you
is check out the 'reputable' shops only. There is a lot of shops selling
over priced crap - often with misleading shop names that make you feel like
they are proper camer shops! Every one I went into and asked about the
digital rebel replied - "there is not one" or it will be about "2000 bucks
if it ever arrives!"

First thoughts on the rebel (its replacing my D30) excellent focusing, quick
start up, lens is a bargain for the extra $100, only 3 things are bugging me
so far - no jog dial on the back, flash pops up a lot in P mode and finaly
eats up space on my CF flash card (LOL!!)

Good luck with your purchase

Stu

 

Sorry forgot to add, the battery charger is dual voltage, it is powered by a
2 pin (cassette recorder type lead) that pugs into the power pack. Totally
universal. You can set the camera to display date in UKor US format, and you
can set language to English, and finally you can change the video display
output to PAL.

There is also an international warranty card included.

Any more questions please ask.

Stu