Is it worth buying equipment in Cairns - Australia, if so where.

[Strangely Brown]

So I'm going to be spending a couple of weeks In Cairns, Australia later on this year and was wondering if it's worth buying any kit while I'm out there. I'm not looking for anything in particular but could be tempted to let the wallet moths out if I see a good deal.

Which stores offer the best range/price and which ones should I avoid.

Cheers :)

[S7000]

So I'm going to be spending a couple of weeks In Cairns, Australia later on this year and was wondering if it's worth buying any kit while I'm out there. I'm not looking for anything in particular but could be tempted to let the wallet moths out if I see a good deal.

Which stores offer the best range/price and which ones should I avoid.

Cheers :)

We're not the cheapest place in the world...The closest, and cheapest place to Cairns would probably be Discount Digital in Brisbane. http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm

[Strangely Brown]

Many thanks S7000. I was going to drive from Cairns to Brisbane thinking I could do there and back in a day. How wrong was I.

[tphoto]

Which stores offer the best range/price and which ones should I avoid.

Cairns is a tourist town and so you'll pay tourist prices. For example Garricks Camerahouse in Central shopping centre. Their 5DII is $4399 compared to DD-P (mentioned above) at $3769.

All places sell mainstream consumer level cameras and lenses which is surprising as there are a high number of pro photographers for such a small population.

Can I ask, why 2 weeks in Cairns?

[exwintech]

Strangely Brown - You might save by avoiding buying camera gear in a Tourist Area, but not much if you were thinking of dropping down to Sydney. We pay, in converted dollars, about 50% more than US prices here.

Example - a Canon SX10 IS is US$320.00 in the US. We pay US$480.00 - which is about AUD$600.00.

Or - a Nikon P90 is AUD$705.00 - call it US$592.00.... In the US - they are about US$360.00

If you want a DSLR - this is not exactly a bargain place to buy one.

Put it this way - for the price of a Pentax KM (K2000 in the US) - just with basic Pentax kit lens here - in the US you could have the far better K2000 kit offer - and throw in an SX10 IS for a Glovebox camera....

I will probably buy my first DSLR, a KM/K2000 in the US early next year. A friend can buy it and hold the Warranty in his name there. I will save over a third doing that. That would pay for many, many $25.00-each-way Registered Post pack trips, if it did have to go in for a claim.

I am on a limited income - and while Canon and Nikon DSLRs are beautiful - the prices are just absurd, here.

Regards, Dave.

[The Moose]

We don't have as many local camera shops like in the US. We have the big shops/chains that sell some gear but then there's a limited amount of shops that sell the big stuff. I think it's Elizabeth St here in the Melbourne CBD that has about 5 reputable camera shops.

[EtherealZee]

Strangely Brown - as others have said, no. I have yet to buy any camera gear (apart from UV filters or other low priced items) locally. Are you stopping over in HK or Malaysia? If you can get 5 or 6 hours between flights in KL or HK, you'll be in a happy place. Prices are on par with B&H in the US, and at times slightly better. And, if you can get a local to help you haggle... Z...

[tphoto]

If you want a DSLR.

Take a peek at his sig. Some serious toys in there.

Are you stopping over.

I was going to say buy duty free when you leave the UK...or anywhere else obviously.

[EtherealZee]

Prices are far better out of Duty free in Asia.

Here is a link for street prices in HK
http://www.ygdragon.net/index.php?page=photo/cameraprice.htm

Just scroll down and ignore the Chinese characters, the lenses and cameras are easy to understand, prices are street prices in HK, with the location of the shop shown for most items (though Mongkok seems to be a pretty good place to go in general).

For example, a Canon 580 EX II is about 235GBP/$387US/$468AUS (which is about what they go for here 2nd hand, if they are older than a year). The best US price I've seen is about $420 from B&H.

The prices given are what you will get if you just walk in, if you want better than that, you'll need to find a local to do the talking for you.

I have a similar list for KL, but I need to look harder for it.

Z...

[Strangely Brown]

Can I ask, why 2 weeks in Cairns?

Of course my friend. It is mainly due to cost. We booked this holiday at the start of the year online and the price was too good to miss, yes it will mean staying in the one location for two weeks but there is MORE than enough to see and do. One thing I am looking forward to is visiting the Barrier Reef, it's something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember.

We have friends moving to Sydney early next year and will be coming out in 2011 for 6 weeks so this time is more about relaxing and enjoying the location.

I intend on hiring a car for a week so there is the possibility of going further a field. I have also been looking at visiting Uluru but the flights from Cairns look to be very expensive.

All in all, i cant wait!

[tphoto]

yes it will mean staying in the one location for two weeks but there is MORE than enough to see and do.

These PHOTOS (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotsabushes/sets/72157606759338211/) (not mine unfortunately) are from around the area. If you need more info let me know as Cairns is my current 'home'.

[Strangely Brown]

Strangely Brown - You might save by avoiding buying camera gear in a Tourist Area, but not much if you were thinking of dropping down to Sydney. We pay, in converted dollars, about 50% more than US prices here.

Example - a Canon SX10 IS is US$320.00 in the US. We pay US$480.00 - which is about AUD$600.00.

Or - a Nikon P90 is AUD$705.00 - call it US$592.00.... In the US - they are about US$360.00

If you want a DSLR - this is not exactly a bargain place to buy one.

Put it this way - for the price of a Pentax KM (K2000 in the US) - just with basic Pentax kit lens here - in the US you could have the far better K2000 kit offer - and throw in an SX10 IS for a Glovebox camera....

I will probably buy my first DSLR, a KM/K2000 in the US early next year. A friend can buy it and hold the Warranty in his name there. I will save over a third doing that. That would pay for many, many $25.00-each-way Registered Post pack trips, if it did have to go in for a claim.

I am on a limited income - and while Canon and Nikon DSLRs are beautiful - the prices are just absurd, here.

Regards, Dave.

Hiya Dave,

Things aren't much better here either. At the start of the year, after saving for 18 months I bought a 5DMk2 and 24-105mm lens for £2,499 ($4,998 AUD at todays exchange rate) which at the time was the best price available. The camera has since gone up in price due to the poor Yen/Sterling rate and is now about £100 more than it was eight months ago.

On the flip side. While visiting Hawaii in Dec 2007 I picked up a Canon 70-200 F4 L (non IS) for $540 US/ £260 which was about £110 less than than the price in the UK.

I want to invest in more equipment but the cost is too high at the moment so it looks like i'm going to have refrain for the moment. :(

[Strangely Brown]

These PHOTOS (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotsabushes/sets/72157606759338211/) (not mine unfortunately) are from around the area. If you need more info let me know as Cairns is my current 'home'.

Many thanks :D

We have booked a holiday apartment on Trinity beach so not too far from down town Cairns.

[EtherealZee]

Check out Port Douglas whilst you're up there. Also, try to avoid the large boat operators, the "cattle boats" end up going to reefs that are more hammered, (each operation pretty much has their own patch of reef). Go for the smaller boats, better service and less people to deal with in the water as well.

Z...

[tphoto]

We have booked a holiday apartment on Trinity beach so not too far from down town Cairns.

A good 25/30 minutes drive to the centre. Trinity is a good choice though. Nice beach and Lunicos is one of our favourite restaurants.

[Strangely Brown]

Port Douglas is on the list :)

After looking at various articles online the general consensus seems to be to avoid QuickSilver tours, as you mention companies of that size will take you to the same part of the Reef as countless others causing irreparable damage. Swimming does not come naturally to me so I will need to find a smaller company that has the use of a floating pontoon or glass bottom boat.