Buyers guide to London

<p>Hello, everybody. After quite some time following the forums at ph.n I have decided to start a new thread.<br>

I plan on going for a 2-week trip to Great-Britain in mid-June. I have more or less covered up the planning and what-to-see section. What I would like opinions on is where in London to make a good buy. What I'm looking for is a Wide-Zoom, like 14-24mm/2.8 or something very similar - not nessessarily Nikon, but top quality.<br>

The question is: wich are the top-spots for buying lenses for Nikon, in London?<br>

Thanks in forehand for your answers.</p>

<p>Grays of Westminster, the Nikon mecca in London. My wife and I were in London in the fall of 2008 and I meant to go there, but didn't make it. I won't miss it next trip! Be sure to give us the full report if you do make it there!<br>

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/</p>

<p>Aperture photographic near the British Museum specialise in second-hand Nikon. This shop plus Grays are the best places to go. You can look at their catalogue on the web and both shops would be happy to reserve equipment for a couple of days. Both shops can have a high turnover of second hand gear, so its worth phoning before making the visit if your after something you've seen on the web. If your after a Hasselblad 160CB lens I have a nice one for sale at Aperture!</p>

<p>Why on earth would you buy a lens in GB? Is it really less than here? I always heard it was more? Check this out before you do that.</p>

<p>The UK levies a 17% or so tax on most sales. Depending on where you live, you can probably find a better deal outside the UK.</p>

<p>I'm almost sure that there is a system whereby 'foreigner's' can get a tax-exemption voucher to redeem any VAT paid, prior to departure for paid on purchases. Worth checking out!</p>

<p>The UK is referred to as "Treasure Island" by the multinationals for a reason.<br>

We pay more for just about everything than just about anyone.<br>

We don't like to complain though...</p>

<p>Living in Holland, I would never buy a lens in the UK, prices are generally (much) higher than over here.</p>

<p>First of all, check this site for UK prices:<br>

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat11.html<br>

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod602.html<br>

Most of the shops listed are outside London, but generally have fast mail order services. You'll find other prices from various dealers if you pick up a copy of the weekly Amateur Photographer (AP) magazine when you arrive:<br>

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/magazine/<br>

Some of the bigger London dealers will be prepared to negotiate if you show them a cheaper (UK) price elsewhere, so it can be helpful to have a copy of AP and some web printouts handy.<br>

See also:<br>

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/<br>

http://www.ffordes.co.uk</p>

<p>A couple of the major chain dealers have large branches on New Oxford Street, near the Tottenham Court Road tube station:<br>

http://www.jessops.com/<br>

http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/<br>

Another chain of smaller shops has a nice branch on the Strand, and usually a good secondhand selection:<br>

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/</p>

<p>For other small independent dealers check out:<br>

http://apertureuk.com/<br>

http://www.kingsleyphoto.co.uk/<br>

http://www.westendcameras.co.uk/<br>

http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/contactus.asp<br>

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/<br>

Grays will probably have the best range of new Nikon gear of any London shop, but prices are on the expensive side. Kingsley usually isn't cheap either, but has very good friendly service. I think all except Cameraworld still do secondhand. Aperture is definitely worth a look - a tiny shop that combines a camera shop and cafe, with one of the best secondhand Nikon selections in London.</p>

Grays of Westminster are way overpriced. Aperture photographic are excellent and their staff very knowledgeable, they would be first on my list.

 

The OP doesn't say where he is from but with the current euro and doller exchange rate, prices here in the UK can be lower for foreigners.

<p>Thank you all, for your resposes!<br>

I live in Portugal, SW Europe. From here it's not worth buying locally (very expensive) - normally the best choice is buying through Luxemburg tele-stores (www.digital-total.com). I have done most of my photo deals there, and have been satisfied, both with regard to prices and shipping quality.<br>

I'll go through Richard's list (thak you for your troubble) and compare, to see if it's worth waiting and buy in the UK, after arriving or better to buy before from Luxemburg, as usual.</p>

 

<p>Grays is a business like any other. I'd at least go there (it's in Pimlico) and take a look. They have a big selection of used equipment and expensive collector stuff as well. Close to Victoria Station.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Living in Holland, I would never buy a lens in the UK, prices are generally (much) higher than over here.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hmm, interesting: I noticed with my most recent lens purchase (bought locally in the UK) that it was originally Netherlands stock. Not that this was a problem - European warranty etc. (1 miserable year - but I digress!) but at the time I assumed there must be a local shortage. Now I understand differently.</p>

 

<p>I'm with Mark L. Grays is nice--they've got tons of Nikon stuff, certainly--but the folks at Aperture (it's on Museum Street just south of the British Museum, the sign outside says Camera Cafe) carry a pretty good selection of Nikon gear, they will describe its condition honestly and accurately, and they are willing to negotiate their already-reasonable prices. Plus, they do tasty coffee and some wicked chow mein!</p>

<p>Definitely worth a look in, on the Web before you come and in person when you reach London. They're not too far from York Cameras (who carry a small amount of Nikon stock) and Kingsley Photographic, which generally also has a few nice items available and is also worth checking out. And Jacobs, just around the corner on New Oxford Street, has new and used Nikon gear, although a lot of it normally looks like heavily-used former pro kit.</p>

<p>All in all, I'd try Aperture first, without hesitation.</p>

<p>Siggi,</p>

<p>By what I have seen on the digi-total website I suggest you take a look at <a href="http://www.kamera-express.nl/index.php?page=subtypes&type=2061">http://www.kamera-express.nl/index.php?page=subtypes&type=2061</a>) just to compare prices to the Luxemburg vendor. <a href="http://www.camera.nl">www.camera.nl</a> will be a good comparison for kamera express. Both in the greater Rotterdam area, both pro shops with plenty of stock and knowledgeable staff to help you.</p>

<p>I suggest you take an easyjet or ryanair flight to Holland, buy whatever you want, and spend a day or so in our country to shoot our landscape and people.</p>

<p>Peter H.,<br />The pound to euro exchange rate is a good reason for UK shops to buy stock overhere. The UK are higher, and there is margin to be made on currency conversion.</p>