Andreas is right - Icelend is not part of the EU. So if you orderf rom an EU country they shouzld take the VAT (value added tax) off for you  - your own customs will of course add the 24.5%

Alternatively - travel to an EU country, buy the cam, claim the VAT back (they will credit your bank account) and do not tell Icelandic customs that the cam is imported when you get home (NAUGHTY!)

Charles

all the best - enjoy the packing  - I am going through the same thing(but moving about 100 miles) and the wife is beginning to get a bit stressed - lol (so am I )

Charles

Like **Firesnuffer I seem to be in serious trouble as I am being told that I al one quarter this and that + that and the other!

I must be either** **indecicive, seriously schizophrenic or chronically unable to make up my mind :-))

Charles**

Thanks for your time and the great work, Gents

You lucky man Jim,. I am saving up for a Sony 70-200 (identival to the old Minolta 70-200SSM?) - not only is it more expensive than the Canon (On Nikon) but it doesn't have IS and it it isn't even available for order yet gr....

alternatively, the Minolta A200 is similar but a bit cheaper

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/konicaminoltaa200/

It is also in your price range:

http://photography.search.ebay.com/a200_Minolta_W0QQcatrefZC6QQfrisZ2QQfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsacatZ107910QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZ

Charles

ps: These Minolta cameras are currently a good deal as Minolta has left the camera business completely (so you might want to check warranty!)

I am not a Canon man but I must confirm what Danny has just said - what lenses? - unfortunately the best (prob the most expensive) you can afford. The 'L' series are Canon'^s 'pro' quality and NOT cheap!

Otherwise, there are some excellent less pricey lenses available, I use the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. It isn't too expensive but gives excellent results - it does not, however have the IS (image stabilisation) of many Canon lenses.

As for the camera istself, Canon have just anounced a new 400D you might find attractive

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06090401canoneos400drebelxtipreview.asp

Charles

If memory serves, the 9500 compensates for insufficient light by automatically increasing the ISO setting (this is to make up for not having a mechanical  'image stabilisation' or 'anti-shake' as much of the competition has).

If I am right, the grain comes from the fact that your pictures were actually taken at much higher ISO settings than you thought you were. You can check this by looking at the pictures' EXIF files and checking ISO settings.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms9000/

Charles

Many congrats Kort - this is really good news!!!!

Please accept my apologies for not getting back to you earlier, but life has been slightly hectic (and will probably get worse before it gets better).

Thanks to all, and most especially Richard, for your time and help - I will endeavour to do better next time .-))

Charles

sorry for being so ignorant, but what does a moderator actually do?

Take good care of yourself - take whatever time you need, knowing that you are not forgotten and are welcome back anytime you want.

Charles

Charles

Cheers

Charles

Given that this camera uses pretty well the same sensor as the Sony Alpha 100 and that they hit the same price point, it will be interesting to see what the reviewers find when they compare the 2

:-))