Hello everybody! It's not my intention to promote any C vs N war, just comment something regarding Nikon's policy in my country. Yesterday I did two things related to this issue: 1- Complained to the importer because it doesn't seem logical to me paying three times B&H prices: it's cheaper for me to order from USA, pay all the taxes, plus shipping, than taking a bus and buying in my city. His answer was that they pay 50% duties, plus 23.5% in taxes. 2- Went downtown to do dome researching on the subject. What I saw: 1- The Nikon F50 I payed u$s400 in London retails here u$s850 (!!!). But the Canon EOS500 that went for more or less the same in London, you can get it here for u$s550. I saw the F5 body going for u$s3600... 2- Sigma lenses are in average 50% more expensive than in USA, but it's still cheaper (or almost the same) than buying mail order from B&H. The same holds true for Tokina and Tamron. My conclusions: 1- Being the taxes equal to any importer, the only thing that comes to my mind is that Nikon is not doing a good job at promoting their stuff, at least the "consumer grade" stuff. Or.. 2- Both the importer *and* Nikon think that all us Nikon users are snobs that will pay whatever they charge as long as we see Nikon written somewhere.. 3- I always wanted to buy a Nikon, and I did. But should I have to buy *here*, I should have to go Canon, no matter what I like. Is this equal in other "peripheric" countries? Good bye, and thanks for all the info you share every digest! Patricio Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ 19416686
