Just a quick one for our northern hemisphere old world friends. I am going to be travelling to Europe shortly and would like to know if there is any chance of saving some money on lenses if i buy over there. In Australia I can get the 2.8 70-200 IS USM II for about 2500A$ (if you don't know the exchange rate, just say it's pretty much equal to the Swiss franc right now, or about .81EUR - say I would lose something int he exchange rate plus fees) - approximately 2025 EUR, the T/S 24 lens for about 2500A$, and the 24-105 L lens for about 1200A$. This is in retail shops, not internet - which is mostly ex HK - so would like to keep these out of comparison if possible.
I will travel around central and northern Europe (including UK, Denmark - Sweden) and have quite a fair bit of flexibility with my route so I can hit Germany or as far south as Switzerland/Austria if you have prices from these countries.
I understand I can get some of the GST (tax) back when leaving Europe, from experience not all of 18% (as it is in Germany) but most of it. Don't know how much it is elsewhere.
And one last question. If I fly out of Europe from Switzerland do I get the tax back when I enter (prior to departure) Switzerland, or when I leave it (given that it is not EU)?
Thank you for your input.