Jump to content

Buying photography gear in Singapore


bmm

Recommended Posts

Hi all

 

Work is sending me to Singapore and then Paris for a bunch of meetings and I

wanted to enquire with you guys about how camera shops are in Singapore.

 

Obviously this work trip is well timed, being just prior to a big holiday for which I

will need to get some last minute items, plus maybe want to pick up a wide-angle

lens.

 

I'm expecting that Singapore prices are better than those here in Sydney, but how

do they compare to the major online US stores such as B&H?

 

And are there any shops that you would particularly recommend, or on the other

hand particularly avoid?

 

Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Place to go in Singapore is Cathay Photo in ground floor of Peninsula Plaza. Very reliable and well established. They will serve you well and no pushy sales guys. Prices generally about 20% higher than B&H but when you work out the GST refund vs's USA sales tax and shipping it works quite close.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try the following places

John 3:16 @ Funan Centre (Sam or Leslie)

TK Foto @ Shaw Towers (James) Beach Road or

Cathay Photo (Sam) @ their Marina Square branch

 

very friendly & knowledgeable chaps....John 3:16 / TK Foto tend to be cheaper. will

charge maybe 2% if using credit card...but even with 2%, still generally cheaper.

 

ed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check nikon.com.sg When i went there last year it had a list of authorised dealers and the RRP so you can at least establish a starting point. You can also get your GST back at the airport which i think was put up to about 10% last year.

 

I noticed compared to New Zealand, accessories were considerably cheaper (batteries, remotes, filters) and I also made a 30% saving on a lens.

 

Happy shopping. I'd love to go back as prices in Europe are insane.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rene - you make me laugh. And yes I travel a lot. I only speak on here about my leisure travel as that is the type on which I have time and capacity to take my photographic equipment. But from time to time it does also come on the work trips that I do. Especially one like this upcoming one which includes a couple of days in a city where I'm likely to do some good gear shopping, followed by a summer weekend in Paris prior to getting to the work that I'm there for!!

 

With my NAS as bad as it is, I think the main threat to my wallet in Singapore will be if I see a good price on the Tokina 11-16mm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bernard.... I love that lens. I am learning so much with it. You have to approach things in a different way.

I think you really need to go to NY to B&H. If you go, before you go into the store make sure you already have your return ticket. In Singapore things are expensive. Costumers from SG. when they come they take back a lot of things, not only camera goods. Rene'

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

<p>There are a few popular and trusted local shops like <a href="http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg">Cathay Photo</a>, <a href="http://www.mscolor.com.sg">MS Color</a>, John 3:16, etc<br>

Note though:<br />- its much cheaper paying with a wad of hard cash as there's additional charges for using credit cards<br />- try to bargain as a <a href="http://www.clubsnap.com">'local'/</a>'resident expat' so that they don't charge you 'tourist' prices<br />- can <a href="http://www.singaporephotography.com/singaporephotographerscontact.htm">contact </a>me up if you need any help/advise</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...