CANADIANS - Where do you buy your camera equipment

[Legend_073]

Hello fellow Canadians, I was just wondering where you order/buy your lenses, cameras, accessories from?

I would like to know which online stores you buy from OR which stores in Greater Toronto area you buy from?

I live in a Northern Ontario so I can always make a trip to Toronto.

Thanks in advance!

[Glenn NK]

Can't help you much for the Toronto area.

I have purchased most of my equipment locally from a fairly large photo supply; about the only camera they don't currently stock is the Mark 3. Dealing with one dealer and one salesperson directly led to my new avatar.

Bought one lens from B&H (the Tokina because it is basically not available in Canada). They were good to deal with, but the experience with the courier and their infamous "brokerage fee" left me with a bad taste that I will not repeat. If you want to know more, PM me.

Going mail order to the US will not save you the GST and PST.

[lungdoc]

I have bought from Cameracanada (http://www.cameracanada.com/) with good results, also from BH (just pick the correct shipping options to minimize brokerage - UPS Expedited or USPS usually best). I have however bought all my lenses except original 17-85 from US-based sellers on this site or Fredmiranda - excellent used prices and no or minimal taxes since I get them to put a very low declared value on the shipping. US prices hard to beat esp now with better dollar, but it does vary a lot by item and brand so I always check both.

[Westbeachbc]

For Vancouver residents: I go to Lense & Shutter.

http://www.lensandshutter.com

Nice, big store. Friendly and good service. They let you try out gear and ask questions. Ordering stuff in from their other stores is fast.

[djdeeb]

Another store for Vancouver people is Leo's camera on Granville.....they will price match what L&S have.....they also got very knowledgable staff working there.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

All the major suppliers are on-line. Run through they're sites and see who has what for $. Henry's, Camera Canada, etc.

Look at the other locations listed by others in Canada, mainly Alberta to save PST.

Bringing equipment in from the States is an option I've used several times when local businesses could not compete even with given them leeway. Ship in Express or Expedited, these include the brokerage fees. You will pay GST and PST.

[ssim]

I have purchased just about everything that I have from Camera Canada. They have customer service second to none, imo. If you find something cheaper elsewhere they are apt to match or beat it.

If you are looking to Alberta to save the provincial sales tax, The Camera Store (http://www.thecamerastore.com/Default.aspx) is probably your best bet. I think that their website has alot of room for improvement but if you contact them they will price anything for you. I visit the store quite often as it is only a couple of hours away.

[ScottE]

I have bought from Henry's and Vistek in Toronto, but neither is a preferred supplier. Shopping in Canada I usually compare prices at The Camera Store http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductsList.aspx in Calgary or Photography West in Kelowna http://www.photographywest.ca/ The Camera Store has the advantage of no PST and $10 shipping. Photography West is local for me.

Often however I end up buying from B&H or Adorama in New York. Canadian prices have not yet adjusted for the higher Canadian dollar, so it is often cheaper to buy from stores that quote their prices in the falling US dollar.

[Glenn NK]

I have bought from Henry's and Vistek in Toronto, but neither is a preferred supplier. Shopping in Canada I usually compare prices at The Camera Store http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductsList.aspx in Calgary or Photography West in Kelowna http://www.photographywest.ca/ The Camera Store has the advantage of no PST and $10 shipping. Photography West is local for me.

Often however I end up buying from B&H or Adorama in New York. Canadian prices have not yet adjusted for the higher Canadian dollar, so it is often cheaper to buy from stores that quote their prices in the falling US dollar.

The price difference will likely change with time - most stores have stock that they purchased when the Cad$ was much lower.

I received a small bonus for shopping locally at Lens and Shutter - two days ago, my regular salesperson, said to me, " do you wear a watch?". I replied that yes, in fact I don't even take it off at night. She then said, "I have a watch I got a while ago as a bonus from Canon - would you like it?"

Didn't take me long to accept - see my current avatar.:) :) That's a pic of it.

I took to a watch repair today to get a new battery - the owner said it had a pretty good Japanese movment.

Except for the cheapest lens (shown below), every bit of gear was purchased from her - they get commissions. Not listed are two Lowepro camera bags and five (5) individual Lowepro lens cases.

BTW, the cost of the watch to me was $0.00 plus GST + PST.;)

[Twitch1977]

I've bought from henrys, cameracanada, thecamerastore and a place called Don's photo locally. Sadly I'll never buy another big ticket item in Canada, they just can't compete with the B&H prices.

I went to thecamerastore to buy my 70-200 and 85 1.8 hoping that even though they were quite a bit more pricey than getting them imported by B&H they would move a bit on the price but they refused to budge even in the slightest. They did offer me 10% off on filters though. :P

So anyways from now on for me it's going to be B&H, sorry friendly local retailers, you just can't compete. :(

Kurt

[Glenn NK]

I've bought from henrys, cameracanada, thecamerastore and a place called Don's photo locally. Sadly I'll never buy another big ticket item in Canada, they just can't compete with the B&H prices.

I went to thecamerastore to buy my 70-200 and 85 1.8 hoping that even though they were quite a bit more pricey than getting them imported by B&H they would move a bit on the price but they refused to budge even in the slightest. They did offer me 10% off on filters though. :P

So anyways from now on for me it's going to be B&H, sorry friendly local retailers, you just can't compete. :(

Kurt

Where in SK were you shopping? We're going back in August for a few weeks, and I might look around in Regina and S'toon to see what prices are like. Bought my first four cams in S'toon on 2nd Ave just off the corner of 20th St. (right across from where Folk's Fine Furs was).

[Bushplane Ken]

Legend_073

When I converted over to digital in 2006, I decided Canon was the way to go. I decided to make my first purchases at Aden Camera on Yonge Street a couple of blocks north of the Eaton Centre. Over the course of three months I bought a fair bit of equipment from them. They do have a website and you can order from them. The on-line prices are generally higher than what you can get in store.

I had a bit of a bad experience trying to purchase a Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 from the stores in Toronto. That expereince and wasted day led me to Camera Canada (www.cameracanada.com). I had been reviewing their website for a bit, so I thought what the heck I would give them a try.

After a bit of a hiccup (they almost sent me the wrong lens); I have purchased a few items from Camera Canada and have been quite satisfied.

[JCAC75]

I have bought a couple of things from Don's photo in Regina (nice because its local) and picked up my 135L from the www.thecamerastore.com to save on tax.

Both were decent as I don't want to deal with getting things from the US as this point.

[gordoon]

Try the DV Shop in Toronto. (www.dvshop.ca)

They often have lower prices than Vistek and Henry's. And friendly, personal service.

[Twitch1977]

Where in SK were you shopping? We're going back in August for a few weeks, and I might look around in Regina and S'toon to see what prices are like. Bought my first four cams in S'toon on 2nd Ave just off the corner of 20th St. (right across from where Folk's Fine Furs was).

Don's photo is really the only place left in Saskatoon worth shopping at, on weekends it's usually very busy and their prices are pretty high, if it's a big ticket item you're after I wouldn't buy it in Saskatchewan. There is also a Don's photo in Regina as well.

The store you're referring to was Motion Picture and Sound, they have just recently closed down though.

Kurt

[Toogy]

Another vote for Camera Canada, they are awesome. Email Joe Todd there, he most likely will quote you a cheaper price than there already cheap prices.

[gregster]

I don't know if you people saw the article, but there was one in a few papers talking about how prices in Canada have not yet adjusted for the exchange rate. It's definitely true for some things!

[Vortex99]

I don't know if you people saw the article, but there was one in a few papers talking about how prices in Canada have not yet adjusted for the exchange rate. It's definitely true for some things!

40 - 50% has never been adjusted for the exchange rate, it's been a long time since the difference has been even close to that.

[gregster]

Yes, that's true. It was referring more to general everyday items.

[Glenn NK]

Don's photo is really the only place left in Saskatoon worth shopping at, on weekends it's usually very busy and their prices are pretty high, if it's a big ticket item you're after I wouldn't buy it in Saskatchewan. There is also a Don's photo in Regina as well.

The store you're referring to was Motion Picture and Sound, they have just recently closed down though.

Kurt


I'm talking the mid-sixties.

I think the store I dealt at back then was called Saskatoon Photo Supply or Saskatchewan Photo Supply.

No, I won't likely be buying anything in SK as I've pretty well shot my wad already.:)

I bought an Olympus rangefinder and my Pentax SV in S'toon, and my A-1 in Regina at The Bay.

[RyanD]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1900194#post1900194


Any Canadians who are buying new or used from the US need to read the above article..an excellent reference as far as shipping methods and the brokerage they charge. This can save you a lot of money....

[Legend_073]

Thanks everyone for your replys. I wasn't aware of some of the online stores in Canada, that's great, now I have more options for when I'm shopping around.

Thanks again!

[Vortex99]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1900194#post1900194


Any Canadians who are buying new or used from the US need to read the above article..an excellent reference as far as shipping methods and the brokerage they charge. This can save you a lot of money....

Ryan thanks for that post it was a great help!

[Crunchy]

Purchased the 70-200 f/2.8 IS last week from BH on a Monday. Arrived on the Friday (I really really really wanted it to arrive before the weekend... so that was perfect).

Was $1599 US. Shipping was $47 US. When it arrived I had to pay the 14% tax in Ontario (~$250 CAD).

So grand total is just under $2000 CAD.

If I were to buy in Canada... I think the base price before tax/shipping is ~$2200. So I probably saved about $350 CAD (if I buy from out of province to pay less tax. or a saving of over $500 if I buy within province).

What's funny is... my friend from Virginia flew up to visit me on Saturday. He was carrying his equipment including brand new gitzo tripod, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, sigma 10-20mm... and customs didn't even take a single look at what he had. I should have shipped my lens to him to save an extra $250! (his flight was only $277!)

So I guess a couple years down the line when I get a new canon body... i'll just buy online, ship it to him, and buy him a plane ticket to bring it here :)

[Vortex99]

Purchased the 70-200 f/2.8 IS last week from BH on a Monday. Arrived on the Friday (I really really really wanted it to arrive before the weekend... so that was perfect).

Was $1599 US. Shipping was $47 US. When it arrived I had to pay the 14% tax in Ontario (~$250 CAD).

So grand total is just under $2000 CAD.

If I were to buy in Canada... I think the base price before tax/shipping is ~$2200. So I probably saved about $350 CAD (if I buy from out of province to pay less tax. or a saving of over $500 if I buy within province).

What's funny is... my friend from Virginia flew up to visit me on Saturday. He was carrying his equipment including brand new gitzo tripod, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, sigma 10-20mm... and customs didn't even take a single look at what he had. I should have shipped my lens to him to save an extra $250! (his flight was only $277!)

So I guess a couple years down the line when I get a new canon body... i'll just buy online, ship it to him, and buy him a plane ticket to bring it here :)

Thanks for the post! That is more then enough info for me to cross border shop....

[Ardant]

I can't live without www.photoprice.ca (http://www.photoprice.ca). It calculates tax and shipping, so I just buy from wherever it says it's cheapest. Normally B&H, Adorama, or Simon's Camera in Quebec. Needless to say, I never walk into Henry's anymore...

Thanks for the guide to buying in the US, RyanD! Very useful information.

[LotsToLearn]

I usually buy in-store new items at Downtown Camera in TO. My experiences with them have been the best in terms of customer service. I avoid Aden as much as possible as I find them to have the worst customer service. I have had good experiences with Henry's on-line eBay items. They are better priced compared to their own on-line store. I do shop at their bricks and mortar location when they have sales as they are then competitively priced.

[cosworth]

Another link you'll find useful when photoprice.ca can't help:

http://75.126.234.18/forum/showthread.php?t=353271&highlight=brokerage

[mrclark321]

$600 Ca. cheaper buying the 1DMKIII from B&H. :(

[cosworth]

And that is for the LAW abiding citizens who live near the border.

[mrclark321]

And that is for the LAW abiding citizens who live near the border.

that's paying the 14% tax ;) I was told that Canon USA is setting the prices here which is not fair to Canadian busineses or consumers.

[chrisvl]

I bought my body from Aden off of Ebay. When picking it up they matched the prices with B&H for 2 lenses. They offer great service.
For my Sigma they gave their best price but it was cheaper at Sigma4Less by over C$300.
Typically I look to B&H for the price and then compare. Next time I buy if they can match I will buy Canadian but never from Henry's they are so over priced.
I followed the advice in the link provided by RyadD and have never worried about brokerage fees and duties again. I'll checkout the photoprice.ca. Never heard of it.

[amosdo]

I bought most of my camera stuffs from Amazing Photo @ Market Village - Kennedy & Steeles. I'm planning to get a Sigma 18-200mm OS from them and they offer me CAD$680.00 (taxes included) compare to BH US$549.00 + $30.00 Shipping = US$579.00 x 1.14 x 1.053 = CAD695.00. Ask for Raymond.

[picard]

I bought most of my camera stuffs from Amazing Photo @ Market Village - Kennedy & Steeles. I'm planning to get a Sigma 18-200mm OS from them and they offer me CAD$680.00 (taxes included) compare to BH US$549.00 + $30.00 Shipping = US$579.00 x 1.14 x 1.053 = CAD695.00. Ask for Raymond.

Does amazing photo have a website? is it listed in Toronto yellow pages?

[cosworth]

Sigma has more competitive pricing in Canada. PLUS - they have a 7 year transferrable warranty here. anything goes wrong and you send it back, they track it using serial number.

[LuckyRobJ]

I'll second Downtown Camera. They're about a block away from the downtown Henry's and I've found their pricing and customer service to be better.

I went to both to try and negotiate the best deal for a new lens, flash and filters, but neither would come close to what B&H's prices are, even with shipping and taxes.

I can't live without www.photoprice.ca.
What a great website! Thanks for the link Ardant!

[CanonGuy50D]

I bought most of my camera stuffs from Amazing Photo @ Market Village - Kennedy & Steeles. I'm planning to get a Sigma 18-200mm OS from them and they offer me CAD$680.00 (taxes included) compare to BH US$549.00 + $30.00 Shipping = US$579.00 x 1.14 x 1.053 = CAD695.00. Ask for Raymond.

I discovered Amazing Photo a month ago when I needed a Hoya Filter. I asked the guy (Raymond), why is the price that much more than Henry's. He explained that this one is the pro filter (me being an amateur I have lots to learn). He offered me the filter for the same price as Henry's non pro filter.

Yesterday, I went there again and got a 77 Hoya Pro for 100 after tax! This is about 50$ less than Henry's.

Also, we talked about lens and camera, I was amazed to see how low his prices were. Very good person to talk with and highly recommended.

[Nimrod1193]

I was at a conference in Toronto this spring and stopped by Vistek Camera on Queen. I can't speak to how their prices compare; I was just browsing.

http://www.vistek.ca

[picard]

I was at a conference in Toronto this spring and stopped by Vistek Camera on Queen. I can't speak to how their prices compare; I was just browsing.

http://www.vistek.ca

Vistek sells everything at higher mark up price than other retailers. Camera cost twice as much as Aden.