New to Melbourne

[caryj]

Hey all, I just moved to Melbourne from the US a couple of days ago and so far I'm loving it. I've gotten somewhat familiar with the downtown area as that is where I am staying at the moment. I'm looking forward to getting out and shooting some of the parks and other sites and seeing more than what I have so far.

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions on a few things: best place to buy gear should I need to replace or upgrade and the best place to get prints made. Local would be great, but if online is the way to go please let me know. Also, is there any place that photographers get together to hang out?

Thanks
CaryJ

[BOSS]

Welcome to OZ,as for your buying gear there should be a Camera House somewhere nearby.
With the getting around Mel I'm sure some one from there will be along soon to help out.
Why Melbourne though?????
Much better places in OZ than there!!!

[Michael]

Welcome to Oz.

Melbourne is a great place and you will find it easy to get around. There is a whole lot of camera stores on Elizabeth St( I think), Including Camera Action Camera House and Michael's, and a few more. I get my prints done at www.digitalworks.net.au, they are just south of Melbourne on the freeway. They can ship or you can go down and pick them up. I like the service they offer.

If you go across to the POTN Aussie Club thread you will find a lot more Melbournians who will be able to help you, and some might even want to meet up.

HAVE FUN!!

Michael

[Wazza]

I only hear good things about Melbourne, from New Zealand.
My mum moved there in June, and sisters are currently there on holiday.. Bit too hot for them though with 42*C :p

Enjoy your new home

[caryj]

Thanks everyone. We chose Melbourne because my wife has a few job opportunities in this area. So far we love it. I haven't had a chance to just walk around and shoot yet, but look forward to doing so soon.

What places were you referring to as being much better than Melbourne? Just cursious, as I don't know anything other than what I read about different places.

CaryJ

[BOSS]

Thanks everyone. We chose Melbourne because my wife has a few job opportunities in this area. So far we love it. I haven't had a chance to just walk around and shoot yet, but look forward to doing so soon.

What places were you referring to as being much better than Melbourne? Just cursious, as I don't know anything other than what I read about different places.

CaryJ

Well you could give places like Sydney,Brisbane,Perth,Hobart,Darwin etc a look
at least they don't have four seasons in one day..no matter what the time of year.
It all boils down to personal preference...however if you don't experience the others you'll never know.

[caryj]

Four seasons in one day? I think I've already gotten a taste of that in the short time I've been here. We originally started to go to the Cairns area, but I started looking at some of the local weather maps and decided I'd rather be somewhere a little cooler. Since we've been here, I think it has been cooler there than it has here.

We really like it here in Melbourne, but sometime in the future we will get out and explore some of the other areas. From pictures we have seen and info we've read on the internet, there doesn't seem to be much of Oz that isn't beautiful or woth seeing.

Cary

[imajo]

Welcome to Melbourne.
I buy most of my gear from Michaels or Camera Action (on Elizabeth St in the city)
Hunt around for prices and generally they will match the lowest prices.
Melbourne is great for eating and shopping - just wait a few more months and the best sport in the world IMO will kick off.

Also there are a few big sporting events - Australia Tennis Open, the Melbourne F1's, MotoGP anything else left out??

[blackshadow]

Welcome to Melbourne - hope you and your wife love it here.

Ted's pro shop has really looked after me this week - it's in their city store in Elizabeth Street.

You left out the footy imajo!

[csm328]

What a coincidence. My wife and I also just moved to Melbourne after me being in the USA for 2 1/2 years. I'm Army so I'm actually 100km North in Puckapunyal. She's American and I bought her back as my 'souveniere'. Sometimes, I think I should have just got a tea-towel :)

Anyway, how do I join the Melbourne POTN? I'd like to tag along for some of the outings and get-togethers if I'm not too busy.

Welcome to Australia Cary.

[caryj]

I'd like to tag along for some of the outings and get-togethers if I'm not too busy.

Welcome to Australia Cary.

Thanks all, and I wouldn't mind tagging along as well if I get the chance.

My wife and I love it and are really enjoying ourselves so far. We are starting to get a feel for the city and how the trains, trams, etc. all work so getting from point A to point B is getting easier. So far the toughest thing I guess is staying connected to the internet. In America, you can go just about anywhere and find a FREE Wifi hotspot...McDonalds, Starbucks, libraries, bookstores, hotels, and on and on. But here, those hotspots exist, but everyone wants you to pay to be able to use it. So, any suggestions on FREE locations other than the library? Or, suggestions on services providers and what is the best way to go here?....is it better to be connected through a phone line or have a wireless card for your laptop? I've looked briefly at the Telstra website, but didn't spend too much time there. Are they any good? customer service any good? or is there another company that is better? At the first hotel we were in, it was $27 per day, this one is only $8 per day. We are moving into an apartment for a few months tomorrow and the price will go back to about $27 per day I think. That's too much, we need something else.

Thanks for all the kind words and advice.
CaryJ

[rigshots]

Cary

Check out Camera Exchange, 377 Lonsdale St. It's probably the best place for any Canon/Nikon gear, and certainly for second hand gear. I've found their prices are often the best in town. They are geared towards the serious user where as the other stores seem to target the mum and dad p+s buyers.

There's also Camera Lane which is on Hardware Lane and Little BOurke, not bad for second hand stuff too. Either way it's a good idea to just walk the block around Lonsdale, Elizabeth, Little Bourke and Hardware Lane as this is where all the camera shops are.

Vanbar is a large pro supplier, in Carlton and North Melbourne.
Baltronics, Borg Anderson (or Andersen?) and Kayell are others worth looking up, but mainly for pro gear.

PM or email me if you need more info.

JJ

[fivegallon]

Thanks all, and I wouldn't mind tagging along as well if I get the chance.

My wife and I love it and are really enjoying ourselves so far. We are starting to get a feel for the city and how the trains, trams, etc. all work so getting from point A to point B is getting easier. So far the toughest thing I guess is staying connected to the internet. In America, you can go just about anywhere and find a FREE Wifi hotspot...McDonalds, Starbucks, libraries, bookstores, hotels, and on and on. But here, those hotspots exist, but everyone wants you to pay to be able to use it. So, any suggestions on FREE locations other than the library? Or, suggestions on services providers and what is the best way to go here?....is it better to be connected through a phone line or have a wireless card for your laptop? I've looked briefly at the Telstra website, but didn't spend too much time there. Are they any good? customer service any good? or is there another company that is better? At the first hotel we were in, it was $27 per day, this one is only $8 per day. We are moving into an apartment for a few months tomorrow and the price will go back to about $27 per day I think. That's too much, we need something else.

Thanks for all the kind words and advice.
CaryJ

stay clear of Telstra for internet... and as you probably found their web-site isn't much chop! Actually it's one of the most annoying/frustrating sites i've ever been on

lots of sports in Melbourne if that takes your fancy... heaps to do there whatever you're in to

[smorter]

RE: The Elizabeth St. Shops,

I hate Camera Action in the city, their prices are amazingly high (though I did get a good Ebay deal on their 18-55mm IS) and many (not all) of the camera salesmen are exceptionally arrogant (though the ladies at the front are all very nice!). One of the camera sales guys in his self promotion claimed he could get a 1200mm to sell within 48 hours too...I'd like to believe that but I don't think so..

JB HiFi consistently gives me the best prices for Canon gear I have found

Elizabeth Camera Store beats JB on prices for Tamron gear

Teds seems expensive at first, but some of their prices are decent actually, especially compared to Camera Action House.

And I don't like Camera Exchange either, they gave me zero service when I went in (actually maybe it was because I dress like a bum)

[caryj]

Thanks for all the good locations. I'm gonna be busy now. I've actually already been to Vanbar and they were pretty nice and answered a few questions I had. I will be checking out the others.

I have been to the Telstra website, and you're right. It wasn't very helpful. What other options are there for internet besides Telstra. I've been watching commercials on the television to try and catch some names, but have only seen Telstra so far. Suggestions?

Not Photography related: Any body know of some reasonably priced Big & Tall Mens stores? I am need of some new jeans and am not finding what I need. I did run across High and Mighty, but I'm not into designer labels and overpriced denim.

Thanks everyone.
CaryJ

[fivegallon]

Thanks for all the good locations. I'm gonna be busy now. I've actually already been to Vanbar and they were pretty nice and answered a few questions I had. I will be checking out the others.

I have been to the Telstra website, and you're right. It wasn't very helpful. What other options are there for internet besides Telstra. I've been watching commercials on the television to try and catch some names, but have only seen Telstra so far. Suggestions?

Not Photography related: Any body know of some reasonably priced Big & Tall Mens stores? I am need of some new jeans and am not finding what I need. I did run across High and Mighty, but I'm not into designer labels and overpriced denim.

Thanks everyone.
CaryJ

hmmm, i'm with Iinet, have been for quite a few years now. They are something like the 3rd largest ISP in Australia. No issues and good service on the rare occasion i have asked, fair pricing also.

not sure about your clothing issue but i know there are some "factory direct" type places (cheap!) in the "Docklands".... just in front of Telstra Dome or Stadium or whatever its called.... (the big footy ground!!)

[caryj]

Thanks, I'll check out the Iinet website. Is there anything I should know about them or any of their plans? I don't want to be caught off guard and not be able to upload or download pictures, music or any thing else when I really need it.

Thanks, you guys have been a big help.
caryj

[Lady K]

welcome to melbourne,

Only banana benders bag Victoria, (i have a sister who lives there and thats all she does).

I love melbourne, we have the best of it all,
a beautiful city, lovely mountains, beaches, forests, etc you name it we have it,

ive lived in adelaide and while its beautiful its pretty boring actually

[agent.media]

Hey welcome to Melbourne!

You'll find the net isnt anywhere near as available (ie free hotspots) as it is in the states.

Do a google search for free hotspots.

I get all my gear of a website called www.photobuff.com.au. Based in melbourne. Post overnight.

Remember that you need a phone line to be able to do ADSL providers like IInet.

if you are not after speed, and want to roam, consider something like www.vodafone.com.au which lets you use 5 gig over the mobile phone network with your laptop for 40 bucks a month.

[-spam-]

lots of sports in Melbourne if that takes your fancy... heaps to do there whatever you're in to

Just not enough rugby league. Still cant get into that "game" with all the guys in singlets and short shorts though :| ;)

For all that i love Brisbane, id still move down to melbourne in a heart beat. But i think i might miss the river up hear a bit, i just love that the whole city is based around or has something to do with it.

[caryj]

I like the look of that wireless setup by Vodafone, but not crazy about the 24 month contract they require. It's still a possibility though. I just saw another one a few minutes ago that looked similar to the Vodafone. It was by Optus I think. I don't know the details of pricing or anything yet but will check it out. Any comments about Optus, are they good or bad, customer service any good?

I'm off to check out some of those camera stores that were listed earlier. I went a few nights ago, but they were all closed already, so I'm going back now. BTW, whats with everything closing so early here? In the states, especially in larger cities, everything stays open later. Here, it seems like a lot of things close for the evening around 6pm, some a little earlier. Is that normal? We weren't expecting that when we first got here.

Thanks again
CaryJ

[agent.media]

Yeah that's normal. Except for shopping nights. (Thursdays and Fridays places are often open later.)

You could be in perth, where nothing is open on weekends. And supermarkets close at six pm on a saturday? (WTF?)

[Nesxl]

Hi Cary,

I would highly reccommed looking at http://broadbandguide.com.au - it has all the suppliers and deals in categories such as 'most popular', 'cheap broadband', 'high speed' etc.

I've just hooked up wireless broadband with 3 that I'm pretty happy with. The rate I got has just expired, but they have a similar one which is $29 a month for 2Gb. The address is www.three.com.au

As for big/tall clothes, you could try some of the department stores like Target, Kmart and Big W: they usually have a big/tall section.

Narelle

[-spam-]

You could be in perth, where nothing is open on weekends. And supermarkets close at six pm on a saturday? (WTF?)

Supermarkets (most of them) close at 5pm here on a saturday and 6pm on a sunday. I thought it was weird that there was so many places in melbourne that were 24 hour places. From Maccas to IGA on flinders st to the awesome pizza place on Elizabeth street.

[fivegallon]

I like the look of that wireless setup by Vodafone, but not crazy about the 24 month contract they require. It's still a possibility though. I just saw another one a few minutes ago that looked similar to the Vodafone. It was by Optus I think. I don't know the details of pricing or anything yet but will check it out. Any comments about Optus, are they good or bad, customer service any good?

I'm off to check out some of those camera stores that were listed earlier. I went a few nights ago, but they were all closed already, so I'm going back now. BTW, whats with everything closing so early here? In the states, especially in larger cities, everything stays open later. Here, it seems like a lot of things close for the evening around 6pm, some a little earlier. Is that normal? We weren't expecting that when we first got here.

Thanks again
CaryJ

If memory serves me correctly, i think iinet and optus (of the major isp's) are the only ones with no charges for excess downloads. These two throttle back the speeds whereas most of the others charge dollars for excess downloads... nasty stuff!!
Also, Optus' "acceptable use" policy used to be a bit "iffy". Not sure if thats still the case

[-spam-]

If memory serves me correctly, i think iinet and optus (of the major isp's) are the only ones with no charges for excess downloads. These two throttle back the speeds whereas most of the others charge dollars for excess downloads... nasty stuff!!
Also, Optus' "acceptable use" policy used to be a bit "iffy". Not sure if thats still the case

Add TPG to that list. We just get throttled back to 256k when we go over 50gig a month. They should be available in melbourne and i really recommend them. We've been on their plans for about 5 or 6 years now and have never had a problem.

[Lady K]

im with internode, and we have no excess chargers for downloads,

id die on anything less then my 1.5 link, and my 40gig limit, :)

i wouldnt change isp's at all. they are perfect, never had any trouble in the 4 years weve been with them

[imajo]

yeah i have an optus wireless for work... its not as good as cable/adsl but does the job.
I was from Perth, shops close at 6pm and not open on Sundays except for the city which opens up at 12pm.

Got to love grocery shopping at 2 in the morning.

[::John::]

Any of you 'southern' photographers want some work? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=442977)

[::John::]

Here is another opportunity (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=441406) for you.

[deletedpenguin]

Welcome to Oz! I moved from the States about five months ago myself. In terms of internet, I highly recommend Westnet. I had issues with a few other companies trying to get setup, but the customer service and reliability with Westnet is second to none. Hope that helps a bit.

[caryj]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Still trying to work through some of them. I've been around the block, so to speak, checking out all the camera stores. Some of them look a lot like some of the chain stores in the States. Ahhhh, it's relaxing to just walk through, with or without money in hand ha ha.