A request for places to shop in Canada

[latigid soe]

Hya folks.....Am in the market for shopping for some lenses etc In Canada so would like to know who to buy from / who not to buy from....prompt delivery etc.

I'm thinking the prices are way out of line from the states...If memory serves me correctly a ef 65mm macro lens is about 800 or so in the states and the best price I could find in Canada was close to 1800...there has to be better places to shop than the ones I've tried.

Thanks folks :)

[Groundworxs]

where are you from? will you be shopping online? In the Toronto area you have some good choices Henrys they ship promptly or vistek is the other big guy excellent sellection although I have found the service to be slow. some of the best prices I have found have been at aden camera aden and downtown camera have a reputation for low balling products. vistek and Henrys will price match just about any store except for those guys. send me a private message with your email or you phone # if you live in Ontario and I will tell you what I did and saved a substantial amount of money.
take care

[drisley]

www.cameracanada.com

[IanD]

It is a sad fact of life that camera/lens prices are higher in Canada than State side. Remember that Canon USA and Canon Canada purchase their stock seperately. As in any other distributor relationship, the more you buy, the cheaper it costs. Taking into account that there are roughly 10 times more consumers in the USA than in Canada, the cost of a lens will be appreciately less in the USA. Factor in large volume shops such as B&H and the pricing difference really widens. Camera Canada tries to lessen the pain somewhat as well as other Canadian shops that really try their best to help loyal customers. I've been dealing with a shop here in Montreal for a year now and have been able to gt some really good deals from them. Cheaper than B&H? No, but real close, and I was able to walk out with my purchase and use it right away.
Try talking to the guys at your local shop. It might be interesting.

[James Yeung]

I want to buy the 100/f2.8 and 70-200/f4 L for my 300D. I currently just have the 18-55 kit lens.

Alright, here is my biggest beef.

BH:

Canon 100/f2.8 macro - 470USD = $620CDN
Canon 70-200/f4 L - 580USD = ~765CDN

Henry's & Vistek:

100/f2.8 = ~999
70-200/f4 L = ~950

Someone from the market forum told me he that he got Henry's to lower the 70-200/f4 L down to $849CDN plus taxes. That is actually a decent deal when the taxes and shipping from the US are factored in. Maybe I'll just go to Henry's and get that L glass. :-)

As for the 100/f2.8, no way can we get that BH price in Canada. Someone, please tell me I am wrong!

I'm holding back for now. I'm going to HK in November. I may just buy the lens(es) over there. The price descrepency for some lenses compared to Canada is unbelievable!

James

[Cal Maier]

I'm thinking the prices are way out of line from the states...If memory serves me correctly a ef 65mm macro lens is about 800 or so in the states and the best price I could find in Canada was close to 1800...there has to be better places to shop than the ones I've tried.


Yes, for the most part lenses are more expensive to buy in Canada than in the US, but I think you'll find that the Camera Body prices are very close to the US prices and, in some cases, they a bit cheaper, after the dollar conversion. The 20D sells for $1995.00 CAD and $1495.00 USD, this is about $1950.00 CAD and if you factor in shipping, tax and brokerage fees you will spend quite a bit more by the time you get the camera. The 1DMKII sells anywhere between $5500.00 and $5900.00 CAD, $5500. converts to $4230.00 USD, you won't find a MKII for that price in the US.

I say if you are in a larger trading centre, shop at your local Pro Centre, if you do not support them, they won't be there the next time you need the support or technical help when you have a problem. The big box stores and online retailers aren't interested if you have a problem or a question about your gear or photography, but most small Pro shops are staffed with avid professional and amateur photogs that are normally very helpful and knowledgable about the equipment they sell and use.

My .02

Cal CPS 432

BTW there is a lot of gray market gear in the US that is not covered by Canon US or Canon Canada Warranty, this is normally priced cheaper than the authorized stuff. I wouldn't want to have the hassle of getting this stuff fixed if it kaks, and some things do quit working - that is the purpose of having a warranty.

[latigid soe]

Well I'm stuck in a little place in the woods in northern British Columbia so I was thinking of shopping online.....but I suppose it wouldn;t hurt to check out the local camera place to see what kind of deal they can give me......trouble is they don't have any stock whatsoever so it's basically either me ordering the stuff or them ordering.....Don't supppose it would hurt to price check with them.

Sucks to be in Canada sometimes :)

[Cal Maier]

I see what you mean, and I can sympathize for sure.

I work at Photography West in Kelowna, we basically are the only Canon Pro Centre between Vanc. and Calg. so if I can help you out let me know.
I'm not trying to solicit your business, but we do a lot of mail order throughout Western Canada servicing a large number of Pros and avid amateurs alike.

Send me an email and I'll give you a hand.

Cal CPS 432

[larryvt]

I'm from Victoria and have for the past several years purchased new and used through Vistek or Henry's in Toronto with no hassles atall. Prices are not too bad, service has always been good. I know the U.S. prices are low but by the time you convert/ship and then the duties your better off buying in Canada.

[robertdrake]

Are there duties on lenses? I thought it was just GST & PST.

[larryvt]

If your Canadian buy Canadian! Anything I've ever bought from the U.S. has cost a fortune and the only reason I'd buy from there was simply because I couldn't find it in Canada. If you were able to buy from the U.S. cheaper than in Canada the camera stores up here would go broke.
When I buy from Vistek or Henry's it's a big item or it's something I can't find in Victoria-I pay the one tax(GST) plus shipping, not having to pay the PST is a saving in itself.

[robertdrake]

I've bought lots from Henry's through the years, they're good. But I won't pay over a hundred more for a lens for the honour. Two of the lenses I'm currently looking at are the 17-40L F4 and the 70-200L f4 which are so close to the US price I might as well buy them here in Victoria.

I was also going to buy a CF card from B&H for $99us, but decided to wait and see if the price would drop here, and it did. Got it for $200cdn, which is about $30 more than the US price would have been. I like to buy locally if I can so if anything goes wrong, I can deal with it locally. Any recommendations?

[Jack_C]

Good place in Calgary - The Camera Store
Only dealer in town that allows returns, and prices cheaper than others.

Ordering from BH in the US can often save $100's on lenses. Shipping adds about $30 US for UPS Expedited, which includes brokerage. So you just pay GST on the price in Alberta. Be sure to ship Expedited or Express, as if you ship ground you will have to pay brokerage as well.

Example: The Sigma 18-125 sells for $499 in Canada, its $299US shipped from BH, or about $380CND. Thats a fair savings.

On bodies Canadian prices are better.