Canon 7D - get from ebay?

Okay, so I'm taking the plunge and upgrading my gear, I'm due to graduate in June and need a professional body to feel comfortable going professional.

I'm opting for the 7D, while its not full frame I can afford lenses for it. It may be a stop gap for now, but I've read great things about the body.

I've been shopping around, and even popped into my local Calumet suppliers the best price they can do for:

Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR & EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Kit is £1,404.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/321-799B/

The lens isn't really great for portraiture, but it would expand my current basic arsenal.

I've found an ebay shop, that seems coshure who currently have the same bundle on offer for £1,199, they do however charge £25 courier.

http://www.ukelectronic.co.uk/canon-...-lens-kit.html

I have spoken to a gentleman on the phone from ukelectronic asking questions such as warranty from canon, is it an import etc, and he seemed to know what he was talking about.

His ebay feedback also checks out:

http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayIS...val=0&items=50

the dilemma is £200 is a lot to me, I could put that £200 towards a battery grip or another prime lens.

Question is, what are your thoughts?

This place has it for £1355 http://www.castlecameras.co.uk/canon...35mm-f35-56-is

I guess you have to weigh up whether you will be comfortable/happy with an import. Personally I'd want a UK version, but know lots of people with imports and they are happy.

Do you really want that lens? If not I'd get the body and put the money towards lens you will actually use.

He told me its a uk version and mentioned the 'Rebel' version is an import?

You could always ask him for the camera serial number and then check with Canon to see if it's an import.

Ah right sorry Dan, thought you were asking whether to get import or not - do you want me to change the title to 'Canon 7D - get from ebay?' (Your previous title 'thoughts?' was too generic).

yeah if you would Azz, the link I posted for ebay and for ukelectronic are apparently the same retailer, I told be about the website whilst on the phone. Because I originally contacted him through ebay to query price of postage as he usually operates 'collect only'

Yeah, I see what you're saying. I often get asked to do live music photography for a friend but I really struggle with light and my 50mm f1.8 prime (80mm) on a 1.6 crop really gives me trouble getting the image I want.

Is a 28mm f.2.8 a worth while purchase.

I would look at a camera that performs really well at high ISO if you're going to be working in low-light conditions - I don't know that much about the 7D, but does it do well at high ISO? Might be worth asking a few of our 7D owners to post some high ISO shots for you (Maybe ask some Nikon D700 owners to do the same... just to compare.)

I've done well at 4500 ISO with the D7000.

Lol glad you posted that cos I don't know why I said d700 lol (7d isn't full frame).