Buying canon 55-250 from either camerabox or buyacamera

rupert-hd · 07-08-2009, 10:19 PM

Finally decided that I'm going to get the Canon 55-250mm IS lens for my 450d.
It's 164.99 from both camerabox and buyacamera.
Both companies offer a 2 year warranty and both say uk stock, looking at reviews some people say they maybe grey imports thou.
Would any one have any reservations about or recommendations about buying from either?

jonnypb · 08-08-2009, 5:27 PM

i got my 55-250 from camerabox a while ago and it wasn't a grey import

Strobe · 09-08-2009, 8:27 PM

I've bought two cameras from buyacamera, both no problem, next day delivery. Neither camera a grey import.

elton-77 · 15-08-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert-hd

Finally decided that I'm going to get the Canon 55-250mm IS lens for my 450d.
It's 164.99 from both camerabox and buyacamera.
Both companies offer a 2 year warranty and both say uk stock, looking at reviews some people say they maybe grey imports thou.
Would any one have any reservations about or recommendations about buying from either?

Did you buy after all and were you pleased?

I am currently thinking of doing the same or buying the USM version. But there is something that I do not understand. Within the specification of the IS lens it states 88-400mm equivalent focal length. I don't get it; where does the equivalent bit come into it.

Any ideas guys.

rupert-hd · 15-08-2009, 6:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elton-77

Did you buy after all and were you pleased?

I am currently thinking of doing the same or buying the USM version. But there is something that I do not understand. Within the specification of the IS lens it states 88-400mm equivalent focal length. I don't get it; where does the equivalent bit come into it.

Any ideas guys.

Haven't bought it yet, a macro lens came up secondhand on one of the forums that I wanted so I have spent my money on that at the mo!
Have decided I will be getting one as soon as I get some more cash together and I think I will get it from buyacamera. Doesn't come with a 2 year warranty like the other company, but buyacamera seems to have better reviews and from what I gather is the web side of a set of retail stores.

If you are using a dslr camera that has a smaller sensor (aps sized sensor eg canon 450d) rather than a full frame camera (eg canon 5d) then when using a lens it has the effect of 1.6 X the focal length so a 55 X 1.6 = 88 so actually even thou the lens is a 55mm it is equivalent to 88mm on dslr cameras with smaller (cropped) sensors.
I hope that makes sense, I'm sure someone will be able to explain it better than me or type into wikipedia crop factor and have a look there!!

elton-77 · 15-08-2009, 6:34 PM

Thanks for the explanation Rupert. I think I get it but am not 100% sure. Your description is more precise than what else I'd read on a wider search. I can see the camera body being the deciding factor (I've the 400D) but my confusion comes from the fact that only some lenses have 'an equivalent factor'. For instance the 100-300mm Canon does not. Doh.

Anyway, I'm glad you managed to get the macro lens you wanted.

**Iccz** · 15-08-2009, 7:20 PM

Sorry to be another one jumping in on this thread but I just did a search for camerabox to see how reputable they are etc.
Anyone bought from these and how was their service and speed of delivery?

Their website isn't the most attractice or professional looking so it just put some doubt in my mind, thanks

rupert-hd · 16-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elton-77

Thanks for the explanation Rupert. I think I get it but am not 100% sure. Your description is more precise than what else I'd read on a wider search. I can see the camera body being the deciding factor (I've the 400D) but my confusion comes from the fact that only some lenses have 'an equivalent factor'. For instance the 100-300mm Canon does not. Doh.

Anyway, I'm glad you managed to get the macro lens you wanted.

If you are using the 400d then every lens you put on it will be effected and have an equivalent length even the canon 100-300mm.
Have a look here Crop Factor Explained, it's quite good at explaining it.
The main thing is with your camera body is ANY lens you see just X1.6 the focal length to give you the equivalent range.

elton-77 · 16-08-2009, 12:02 PM

Rupert - by jove I think I've got it .......... finally.

It was the inconsistant descriptions on many of the lenses that added to my confusion. Stating an 'equivalent to' on some lenses and not others got to me.

So, many thanks and happy shooting.

rupert-hd · 16-08-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elton-77

Rupert - by jove I think I've got it .......... finally.

It was the inconsistant descriptions on many of the lenses that added to my confusion. Stating an 'equivalent to' on some lenses and not others got to me.

So, many thanks and happy shooting.

Great

I know it's not easy, I only got my first dslr a few weeks ago so I'm certainly no expert,but I guess us newbies have to stick together!!

Zurt · 17-08-2009, 1:42 PM

I bought a Panasonic TZ7 from Camerabox who assured me it was a genuine UK import. It arrived the next day

but turned out to be a US version which Panasonic say they will NOT guarantee

. Its going back!

JagoPlasma · 17-08-2009, 9:22 PM

I have the 55-250 on my 450D, the lense is REALLY good, for portraits i have a 1.4 50mm canon which is much better, but I do switch back to the varifocal for anything that isnt close

as for camera box, seen a fair few bad reviews, i ordered the Hoya pro digital twin pack which came next day no problems. its my only order with them tho, for my lense i went for calumet which also delivered next day and were also kind enough to call me after order was placed to make sure i really did place the order

rupert-hd · 17-08-2009, 9:54 PM

looks like it's buyacamera then!! Reviews seem ok!
I guess for lenses its not so bad if they were an import as I presume they are less likely to have problems as opposed to a camera. Maybe I'm wrong?

JagoPlasma · 17-08-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert-hd

looks like it's buyacamera then!! Reviews seem ok!
I guess for lenses its not so bad if they were an import as I presume they are less likely to have problems as opposed to a camera. Maybe I'm wrong?

grey imports will probably not have a warranty, unless its an EU version in which case i think they have to honour it

rupert-hd · 17-08-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JagoPlasma

grey imports will probably not have a warranty, unless its an EU version in which case i think they have to honour it

Yeah I guess that would be the case, but what I meant was lenses I'm thinking are probably more reliable than cameras so less likely to need the warranty, maybe I'm wrong and lenses have there fair share of problems to? Just checked the buyacamera website and it states the 55-250mm canon lens comes with a full UK guarantee so I'm guessing it should be ok, but I don't know for sure!!