Someone doesn't want me to shoot macro
I've always been interested in macro photography. This kind of photo is good inspiration, even though I know with any reasonably priced equipment (for a hobby) I wouldn't be able to replicate it. So since I got my Nikon D80 I've been interested in getting a 1:1 reproduction (ie. macro) lens.
I didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money (eg. on the Nikkor 105mm Macro - about $1,200), so I settled on a third party lens I want - the Tokina AT-X 100 Pro D f/2.8. It gets good reviews and is reasonably priced (around AU$700-$800 retail).
And so the saga begins..
I found one on eBay. It was "new", in the box with all accessories, unused. The auction was already up to $350 but with a day to go the seller cancelled a bunch of international bids and it dropped back to $150. So I put in my bid at the last minute for $500 and managed to win it for $305! Woo! It was not to be. eBay canceled the auction due to some issues with those cancelled bids, so the seller is forced to relist it - which they're not doing for another few weeks. Boo. I got my money back from the seller straight away, so no loss (except for a bargain on the lens).
My next port of call was a Hong Kong seller that charges a fortune for shipping, but takes the import duty into account and in theory doesn't run into problems. The lens itself was AU$399, but with shipping, taxes and a filter it became AU$500. Still not bad! It was in stock, "ships within 24 hours", so I ordered. Two days later, this morning, I get an email saying they're not in stock and I can go on a wait list or get my money back. Chances are it won't arrive before I leave for Europe on 27 July.
In the meantime I got a friend to get me a "staff quote" through a supplier that I used when I was at my previous employer. It's AU$650 with a UV filter and shipping, but this is an actual real store in Australia with good service. I got both my Powershot and my D80 there and have been extremely pleased with the service both times - even for the hard to get Nikon 18-200 VR lens it was only a 2 week wait.
I think I'm going to throw in the towel and pay the $650. I'll get 10% off at the airport since I'm going overseas in less than 30 days, so it'll be just under $600 all up. Double the price of the intial "eBay Bargain", but still $150-$200 under what I could get it anywhere else that's a proper retailer, with an Australian warranty.
Next purchase, the Nikon R1 Close-Up Wireless Flash system.. ;)
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