[chiyiuwing]

Dear all "High Hand" (sorry I cannot type Chinese here),

I have read a lot discussion here and found that Minolta F200 should meet my needs particular the use AA NiMH which is easy to get anywhere. Since I will stay in Hong Kong for only 3 days, can any "High Hand" advise me of the following:-

1). Since I will use F200 in oversea, any difference between "Water" & "Hong" goods? Do I get world wide gurantee with "Hong" good?
2). "Water" goods will come with English manual or not?
3). What is the price for "Water" and "Hong" goods?
4). Usually what accessories come with "Water" and "Hong" goods?
5). Where/ which shops I can get getter service, particular I want to check the notorious problems of "Hang" when low battery power, blind sport of CCD and LCD.

Sorry to ask so many questions!

The bottom line is I will pay for a little more price for good service, as I will stay in Hong Kong too short to change the camera if any defect were found after leaving the shop.

Thanks for any comment/advice in advance.

Chi

[Frankie_B]

In Hong Kong,
"Water" goods means world wide gurantee by Japan.
"Hong" goods means gurantee by Hong Kong.
If U use this oversea, "Water" goods will be a better choice.

"Water" goods only come with a Japanese manual,but U can ask for a Chinese or English copy if in need. Usually thirty dollars charge.

"Water" goods list price between $24XX ~ $27XX.
"Hong" goods list price $29XX.

2AA, World wide charger, manual, usb line, 16Mb SD card,CD-Rom will be provided, but U will get a IR remote control, if U buy "Water" goods.

If U ask me ,I will choose 華仁會 in Mongkok. Sevice is better.
Here is the link.
http://www.chineseclubnet.com.hk

Hope U have a best experience.

[johntien]

IMPORTANT!! First thing first, make sure the serial number of the F200 that you are about to buy is not 33xxxxx coz they are the ones with the hang "gay" problem!!

Answering your questions:
1). Since I will use F200 in oversea, any difference between "Water" & "Hong" goods? Do I get world wide gurantee with "Hong" good?

If you but "Hong" goods, you will get 1st year international gurantee, so that's something good to go for... (Coz I am a UK user, so I find this very important!!) "Water" goods might have more colour/ package choice (I am not sure if this is right), but without the gurantee, I wouldn't risk it!!

2). "Water" goods will come with English manual or not?
I am not sure about that, but there are PDF versions avaliable for download in lots of different places on the internet, so don't worry about that.

3). What is the price for "Water" and "Hong" goods?
You better ask people (like Frankie_B) who knows the HK market well

4). Usually what accessories come with "Water" and "Hong" goods?
For my "Hong" goods, it came with F200 camera, straps, 16mb SD, Quick reference manual, PDF manual (in CD), USB cable, Sanyo CR-V3 lithium batteries, Photo Software. It never come with as much stuff as "Water" goods, but in my case, the gurantee takes priority.

5). Where/ which shops I can get getter service, particular I want to check the notorious problems of "Hang" when low battery power, blind sport of CCD and LCD.

Anysshop that sells "Hong" goods will do... To ensure better service for someone living/ travelling abroad in a hurry (3 days~) I would suggest shops like Broadway... as they are famous for good after sale service. The price of the camera might be therefore more expensive, but it does worth it when ur camera does comes with lots of little problems.

I hope all these helps, and enjoy your stay in Hong Kong!!

John (F100/ F200 user)

[Frankie_B]

If U want to buy "Hong" goods, I agree with johntien. Since Broadway is a good choice in "Hong " goods. By the way, I'm not insist U to buy "Water" goods. Just up to U.

One more thing, it is easy to find the problem about blind spot of CCD and LCD yourself.
U may prepare two files first in SD card, one is fully black the other is fully white. Then just preview the files one by one with the camera, zoom it as large as possible and then check corner to corner.
U can easy to find some abnormal spot, if some problems here.
Try it. : )

[chiyiuwing]

Thanks John & Frankie for your advice.

But just another post about the "camera hang" problem. It seems that the problem is very common, do you have the same problem like the other?

Thanks

[chiyiuwing]

Thanks John & Frankie for your advice.

But just another post about the "camera hang" problem. It seems that the problem is very common, do you have the same problem like the other?

Thanks

[chiyiuwing]

Thanks John & Frankie for your advice.

But just another post about the "camera hang" problem. It seems that the problem is very common, do you have the same problem like the other?

Thanks

[Frankie_B]

For more than three month, no serious problem and hang at all. : )

But I need to compain about the "battery hunter".

It's a High battery drain (better using more than 2000mAh rechargable batteries).
The LCD will turn black for a moment, if saving file when the battery is coming low.
Slow zoom speed, but the image quality is good. Thanks for GT lens.
Anyway, I like it.

On the other hand,
who knows the 3000mAh rechargable battery is coming soon.RIGHT???

[johntien]

I am not sure (I don't think so anyway) that the new batch of F200 on the market has the hang "gay" problem as they have been fixed by the factory before sending out to the market.

The hang "gay" problem did happened to me, so I brought it to Minolta in HK to fix for free!! The power of "Hong" goods!!

John

[johntien]

To: Frankie_B

I have talked to the people in Minolta when they were dealing with my hang gay problem. They said that they do not recommand any users to use batteries which is more than 2000mAh as it doesn't suits the F200...

I use GP 1800mAh batteries myself and it works fine!! They usually manage to fill up the whole 128mb card with LCD on and lots of photos using flashes!! Try the 1800mAh batteries, and you might find the camera performs better than u think!!

John