UK: good London camera shops
 

Hello all,

Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
North London?

Thanks.

--
Illegitimi non carborundum

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

Joe Kotroczo <kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>Hello all,
>Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
>North London?


Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
North London and some are truly excellent.

Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

On 29/03/2012 15:48, Bruce wrote:
> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
>> North London?
>
>
> Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
> North London and some are truly excellent.
>
> Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
> what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
> collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?

New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)

I do own some ancient analogue (Canon A1) which now and then gets an
airing, but I need the digital for work and I'm keen to upgrade from my G11.

--
Illegitimi non carborundum

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

Joe Kotroczo <kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>On 29/03/2012 15:48, Bruce wrote:
>> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>>> Hello all,
>>> Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
>>> North London?
>>
>>
>> Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
>> North London and some are truly excellent.
>>
>> Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
>> what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
>> collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?
>
>New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
>mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)
>
>I do own some ancient analogue (Canon A1) which now and then gets an
>airing, but I need the digital for work and I'm keen to upgrade from my G11.


I don't know where you are from, but if you are from North America you
are likely to get much better deals at home. Even buying tax-free in
London you will still pay typically 20-30% more than you would pay at
B&H or Adorama. There is also the issue of whether a warranty on
equipment sold in London would be valid in your home country. You
should research this before making any decisions.

Jessops is the largest UK chain of photo stores with over 200
locations. However they tend to be expensive.

I would recommend visiting Cameraworld (no connection with the US
company) at Wells Street, London W1 (just off Oxford Street which is
the main shopping street) and Jacobs at New Oxford Street. Both
stores are well served by Tube (Subway) and bus services, and both
stores are experienced at dealing with VAT (sales tax) refunds.

Both sell used equipment but they have other branches so it would be
best to give them a call about anything you see on their web site.
Both stores will arrange viewing of used items at their London stores
if given a few days' notice:


Cameraworld
14 Wells Street
London
W1T 3PB

Tel: 020 7636 5005
Email: sales@cameraworld.co.uk
http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/

Jacobs
74 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1EU

Tel: 020 7436 5544
Email: london@jacobs-photo.co.uk
http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/


I have no connection with either company but have bought equipment
from both of them and been entirely satisfied.

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

On 29/03/2012 18:47, Bruce wrote:
> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>> On 29/03/2012 15:48, Bruce wrote:
>>> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>>>> Hello all,
>>>> Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
>>>> North London?
>>>
>>>
>>> Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
>>> North London and some are truly excellent.
>>>
>>> Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
>>> what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
>>> collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?
>>
>> New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
>> mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)
>>
>> I do own some ancient analogue (Canon A1) which now and then gets an
>> airing, but I need the digital for work and I'm keen to upgrade from my G11.
>
>
> I don't know where you are from, but if you are from North America you
> are likely to get much better deals at home.

Erm, I'm from London? Well, not originally, but I've been here for
nearly 4 years now. Never been to the US of A, and I intend to keep it
that way.

(...)
> Jessops is the largest UK chain of photo stores with over 200
> locations. However they tend to be expensive.
>
> I would recommend visiting Cameraworld (no connection with the US
> company) at Wells Street, London W1 (just off Oxford Street which is
> the main shopping street) and Jacobs at New Oxford Street.

Thanks! Cameraworld has some interesting used gear, I shall get in touch
with them.

--
Illegitimi non carborundum

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

Joe Kotroczo <kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>On 29/03/2012 18:47, Bruce wrote:
>> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>>> On 29/03/2012 15:48, Bruce wrote:
>>>> Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>> Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
>>>>> North London?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
>>>> North London and some are truly excellent.
>>>>
>>>> Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
>>>> what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
>>>> collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?
>>>
>>> New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
>>> mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)
>>>
>>> I do own some ancient analogue (Canon A1) which now and then gets an
>>> airing, but I need the digital for work and I'm keen to upgrade from my G11.
>>
>>
>> I don't know where you are from, but if you are from North America you
>> are likely to get much better deals at home.
>
>Erm, I'm from London? Well, not originally, but I've been here for
>nearly 4 years now. Never been to the US of A, and I intend to keep it
>that way.


Then you will already know to avoid Jessops. ;-)


>> I would recommend visiting Cameraworld (no connection with the US
>> company) at Wells Street, London W1 (just off Oxford Street which is
>> the main shopping street) and Jacobs at New Oxford Street.
>
>Thanks! Cameraworld has some interesting used gear, I shall get in touch
>with them.


As you live in London and presumably have no problems finding your way
around, there are some other Canon dealers you might like to visit:

York Cameras Ltd
18 Bury Place (close to main entrance of British Museum)
London
WC1A 2JL
Tel: 020 7242 7182
Email: sales@yorkcameras.co.uk
http://www.yorkcameras.co.uk/

Fixation (also do Canon authorised repairs - *excellent* service)
250 Kennington Lane
London
SE11 5RD
Tel: 020 7582 3294
Email: info@fixationuk.com
http://www.fixationuk.com

Calumet
93-103 Drummond St
London
NW1 2HU
Tel: 020 7380 1144
Fax: 020 7387 3354
Email: see contact form on web site
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk


A little further afield:


SRS Microsystems Ltd
94 The Parade
High Street
Watford
WD17 1AW
Email: sale@srsmicrosystems.co.uk
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk


All the above give excellent support for Canon users.

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

In article <9tjcbmFl62U1@mid.individual.net>, kotroczo@mac.com says...
>
> On 29/03/2012 15:48, Bruce wrote:
> > Joe Kotroczo<kotroczo@mac.com> wrote:
> >> Hello all,
> >> Quick question: can anyone recommend a good camera shop in Central or
> >> North London?
> >
> >
> > Quick answer: There are a great many good camera shops in Central and
> > North London and some are truly excellent.
> >
> > Recommending one (or several) would be made much easier if one knew
> > what sort of equipment you were intending to buy. New, used,
> > collectable, digital, film, what format, what brand(s)?
>
> New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
> mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)

If you're shopping for an SLR don't look at the camera, look at the
system. Canon and Nikon both have very complete systems with a lot of
third-party support. Other manufacturers not so much. And if you're
not going to be using any other parts of the system then think very
carefully about why you're looking at an SLR in the first place.

> I do own some ancient analogue (Canon A1) which now and then gets an
> airing, but I need the digital for work and I'm keen to upgrade from my G11.

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

On 30/03/2012 00:58, Bruce wrote:

(...)
>>> I don't know where you are from, but if you are from North America you
>>> are likely to get much better deals at home.
>>
>> Erm, I'm from London? Well, not originally, but I've been here for
>> nearly 4 years now. Never been to the US of A, and I intend to keep it
>> that way.
>
> Then you will already know to avoid Jessops. ;-)

Actually I didn't. Thanks for that.

Thanks for the info!


--
Illegitimi non carborundum

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

"Joe Kotroczo" <kotroczo@mac.com> wrote in message
news:9tlupsFuofU1@mid.individual.net...
> On 30/03/2012 00:58, Bruce wrote:
[]
>> Then you will already know to avoid Jessops. ;-)
>
> Actually I didn't. Thanks for that.
>
> Thanks for the info!

I've actually found Jessops to be quite helpful, and they used to match
Internet prices. I don't think they still do that, though. We have a
Jacobs almost next door to the Jessops, and they seem to have a better
range in stock.

Cheers,
David

Re: UK: good London camera shops
 

On 30/03/2012 14:04, J. Clarke wrote:
(...)
>>
>> New digital, probably an EOS 60D with an 15-85mm. (Although someone
>> mentioned I should also look at the Sony A77 with the 16-50mm. Hmm...)
>
> If you're shopping for an SLR don't look at the camera, look at the
> system. Canon and Nikon both have very complete systems with a lot of
> third-party support. Other manufacturers not so much. And if you're
> not going to be using any other parts of the system then think very
> carefully about why you're looking at an SLR in the first place.

Believe me, I've thought long and hard about this. Photography is an
important part of my job after all, even if not many people will ever
get to see the photos.

The only thing that annoys me about Canon is lack of GPS. But I can work
around that. The thing that intrigues me about the Sony is the EVF. The
thing that worries me about the Sony is low light performance.

Do you really think that the Sony/Minolta system is lacking in
completeness to the extent that you would discourage people from buying it?

--
Illegitimi non carborundum