Where do you Canadians buy camera gear?

mwgrice

I've been buying most of my gear from one of "the religious stores"* in Manhattan. However, I'm moving to Toronto shortly, so that's going to be a bit more complicated.

(Ignore the fact that I'm going to be broke for a while after the move, too.:D)

* An Israeli I talked to in Potsdam called B&H "the religious store," which I thought was funny.

ribbon_cable

mwgrice wrote:

I've been buying most of my gear from one of "the religious stores"* in Manhattan. However, I'm moving to Toronto shortly, so that's going to be a bit more complicated.

(Ignore the fact that I'm going to be broke for a while after the move, too.:D)

* An Israeli I talked to in Potsdam called B&H "the religious store," which I thought was funny.

Not so funny when you are from out of town, have only a Saturday to spend in the city taking pictures and your 10d shutter dies and you NEED a new body... Thankfully there was J and R.

ifocus

Henrys is a fair camera chain and has good choices. There is also Vistek however I never experienced their service. The bad news; be prepared to pay more money despite prices are getting better re: cnd $ adjustments. Henrys' prices advertise a little higher but you can negociate them down as they will match the best price in town most of the time. I hope this help. Welcome to Canada --JY

Ann McRae

I actually buy from the dgrin flea market!
In Alberta we have a few choices:
McBain - local and good
Don's - can be good
Vistek - I had good service here
The Camera Store - in Calgary, haven't tried them

If you buy via the web(all of the above have on line stores) from a different province, you can avoid gst.

And, be prepared for the bizarre world of Canadian electronics pricing.

ann

mackidbrendan

Ann McRae wrote:

And, be prepared for the bizarre world of Canadian electronics pricing.

ann

ya, prepared to be ripped off and paying an arm and a leg, sometimes even a knee cap

salazar

Check out this price comparison site. There is some good information there for Canadian buyers. Sometimes it is still cheaper to buy from B&H.

http://www.photoprice.ca/

john l

In Toronto also check out Aden Camera. They normally are cheaper and Henry's will meet their prices.

nightspidy

Where I buy
I have been buying from B & H since the summer of 2006, however, even though I've only ordered from them 3 times, I think they are the best. I find their prices beat out others (from a Canadian perspective), fast shipping (love, love, love UPS by the way-will not use any other shipping company) and very helpful over the phone when I have had to call. Plus, with the echange being so good right now, it sweetens it even more.

Prices, for example on a recent order I placed a few days ago:

canon 50mm 1.8 lens B&H vs 2 local large shops - $50.00 difference
canon battery B&H vs 2 local large shops - $60.00 difference
monfrotto tripod bag B&H vs 2 local large shops - $30.00 difference

Even with the cost of shipping and other fees, it is still considerably cheaper for me to order from B & H.

ifocus

salazar wrote:

Check out this price comparison site. There is some good information there for Canadian buyers. Sometimes it is still cheaper to but from B&H.

http://www.photoprice.ca/

This is he most usefull site ever, thanks so much!!!clap:ivar

mackidbrendan

if you order from B&H and you r worried about the shipping costs you should get a NAPP membership
its 100$ or so and you get all this stuff plus free shipping from B&H

mwgrice

Thanks everyone!

LTT

A really good site is www.cameracanada.com I saved $500 at Henrys on my D80 w/ 18-200mm lens with price matching between this vendor and Vistek.

Henrys is almost always more expensive than other Canadian retailers. However, they will price match. BestBuy will price match at 110% so this is a great source for memory.

I've used B&H Photo for some items. The dollar right now is about par and with shipping I still saved money.

kelsow

Good advice from above.

Regarding shipping, NEVER have you stuff shipped from the States to Canada via UPS.
The brokerage charges are outrageous.
USPS is the way to go.

Robinivich

ifocus wrote:

This is he most usefull site ever, thanks so much!!!clap:ivar

Known about this one for a little while, huge help in making purchases, HUGE!!

Bottom line for the OP, and it's explained nicely here, the Loonie (canadian dollar for the uninitiated) is strong enough that the two stores in question are often still the cheapest, but sometimes not by a ton, depends on the gear (40D comparatively cheap in canada ), so check this site out!!!

mwgrice

kelsow wrote:

Good advice from above.

Regarding shipping, NEVER have you stuff shipped from the States to Canada via UPS.
The brokerage charges are outrageous.
USPS is the way to go.

I had heard that, but it's nice to have it confirmed.

Phober

I just got my camera from Blacks . . they have some killer sales on sometimes and their service is amazing.

http://blackphoto.com/

They have a ton of locations around Toronto.

Welcome to Canada!

Gazruss

Vistek
I bought my D300 from Vistek. Very professional people. Good service. Tons of stuff on 3 floors in their downtown location, never been to their newer location in Mississauga though.

Blacks is also a great store for camera's, lenses, & accessories. They are really good on price matching other offers, and as Phober said they are everywhere....

Otherwise, I agree....Welcome to T.O.

IcemanUK

Back in my Canada days, I ordered from Vistek. They were easy to deal with and had some good deals (but you have to look).

I never had much luck with McBain, but others I know like them.

henryp

kelsow wrote:

Regarding shipping, NEVER have you stuff shipped from the States to Canada via UPS. The brokerage charges are outrageous. USPS is the way to go.

UPS shipping is faster, tracking is simpler and more accurate, and UPS is quicker than USPS to help if a package is lost en route. There're brokerage fees with UPS ground, so specify UPS "expedited." Wit that, UPS absorbs the brokerage fee.

nightspidy wrote:

I have been buying from B&H since the summer of 2006, however, even though I've only ordered from them 3 times, I think they are the best. I find their prices beat out others (from a Canadian perspective), fast shipping (love, love, love UPS by the way-will not use any other shipping company) and very helpful over the phone when I have had to call.

Thank you. Much appreciated!