do any Canadians order cameras and lenses?

Hi everybody!
I have noticed that a lot of posters on this forum order their camera equipment on-line. Are there any good places in Canada where a person can order from?

Thanks in advance!

elfieh

I assume you're talking about new gear. I just purchased a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 online from http://www.sigma4less.​com

This purchase easily saves me $400CAD compared to buying locally (Henry's).

You might also consider http://www.bhphotovide​o.com, I have not personally purchased from them but I heard good reviews from fellow Canadian photographers.

As far as used gear goes. This board buy/sell section and FredMiranda are probably your best bets. Beware, FM buy/sell section moves FAST!

If you really want to buy from Canadian online retailers:

http://www.adencamera.​com/
http://www.cameracanad​a.com/index.asp
http://www.henrys.com/
http://www.vistek.ca/
http://www.thecamerast​ore.com/

Cheers,

Tom

Aden Camera is highly recommended. They'll get you the best prices.
Vistek is a pain in the (my) ass.
Henrys is overpriced, but very easy to work with. Very honorable.
The Camera Store is usually very understocked, but very good on prices.
Camera Canada is usually willing to deal as well.

I have nothing but great things to say about B&H. Buying from them often times ends up being cheapest, all things considered.

I'd recommend buying Sigma and Tamron in Canada because their warranties are 10 years and 6 years respectively.

I've purchased and sold many times on the FredMiranda.com buy/sell board without any problems.

Many of the Canadian retailers have ebay.ca stores sometimes with significant savings. Henrys offers a six month warranty on used items.

There's always craigslist.org as well.

Buyer Beware as always.

And keh.com is OK for used equipment as well (although brokerage fees can get you)

Thank you everybody for all this great info!

Now I have to check their web sites!

elfieh

I order all of my gear through Toronto based Photocreative - http://www.photocreati​ve.com

I've had tremendous service and will continue to deal through them in the future!

The best part of ordering out of province is that you don't have to pay PST... but since you're in Alberta, that won't be a problem anyways

I have bought just about everything that I have from Camera Canada. I usually speak them personally to do it. If you find something for less they will try their best to price match. I have never found another firm that has the customer service that they have, topnotch for sure.

Hi Elfieh, as we speak I have ordered a 50mm f/1.4 USM lens from B&H. Just want to commend them on their order verification process. As I live in Vancouver BC I have always have US stores ship to a Point Robert address that receives packages for me. I will then drive across the border to pick them up. GST/PST is paid at the Customs.

But B&H said they won't ship to this Point Robert address because someone before have screwed them up (read: fraud) using this address. So I ask them to ship to my work address in Canada (which is also the billing address for my CC). Then they put me on hold for good 5 minutes while they are trying to verify the existance of the company I work for! Also the rep told me he also confirm that I am a current employee of this company! I am so amazed.

Another word of advice, don't choose any USPS shipping option. Tracking info is mediocre and clearing through custom is almost a 3 days process right now. My lens was shipped via the most expensive USPS shipping option on Monday morning and it has been stucked in Vancouver Customs since Thursday morning! If I had chosen UPS Air I would have received by now. I didn't choose UPS because I thought I will be hit by a big brokerage fee but in fact that is only true for UPS Ground. UPS Air services (like Expedited and Standard) have their brokerage fee included in the price. I hate myself for that!!

Just my .02 cents. Hope this helps fellow Canadiens!

Every time I've ordered from B&H I've used UPS Expedited and received the items is 2 business days. Purchased with credit card, shipped to my home, no verification needed. No brokerage fees. Taxes (GST & PST) due upon delivery.

thanks for all the great information - much appreciated!

elfieh

PS: SSIM - i noticed you are from southern Alberta too - we live just southeast of Vulcan.

If I know relatives are coming to Toronto for a visit I order from B&H and ship to them in the US. They bring it up for me....sans packaging - no brokerage/duty/taxes for me... Or if I'm heading down there, I can still ship there and slap the lens on the camera and leave the packaging there.
But of course not an option is you don't have relatives near the border or need somthing asap.

How much duty is charged by custom if ordered from bhphoto?

No duty. Just 14% Tax.

Cheers,

Tom