KerinF Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Hello all, hoping some of you in the U.K. can offer suggestions here. My daughter has settled in London for a few years. For Christmas, looking at getting her a gift voucher that can be purchased online to a good camera store, preferably one with a few outlets in London so she can choose one near her home or work. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbiedooo Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Most of the big chains have gone. I recommend SRS microsystems, although they are in Watford, which is just outside London. There is a chain called London Camera Exchange still going. They have a few stores around London I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I'd strongly recommend WEX because they have a vast range of kit at competitive prices, are absolutely reliable with excellent customer service and have very knowledgeable and helpful staff should she need any advice on most things photographic. I've been a customer since 2008 and rarely go anywhere else although I do checkl competitor prices. The few times I've had to return anything, I've had no problem and deliveries are always in time or they refund the difference. They are not based in London but have an Aladdin's Cave warehouse and store in Norwich - not too far away by train or car if she wanted a day out in East Anglia. http://www.wexphotographic.com If she is a Nikon user, then Grays of Westminster in London is always worth a browse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I have used London Camera Exchange in Nottingham for several years now and have found them helpful, knowledgeable and fair. They are my starting point for most things photographic. For the 45 years I have been a photograher I have generally worked with dealers where I have been able to establish a personal relationship. I used Calumet for many years until my last contact left (they had long given up premises in Nottingham), then they became just another dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Chapman Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Park Cameras in Burgess Hill get my vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I'd strongly recommend WEX because they have a vast range of kit at competitive prices, are absolutely reliable with excellent customer service and have very knowledgeable and helpful staff should she need any advice on most things photographic. I've been a customer since 2008 and rarely go anywhere else although I do checkl competitor prices. The few times I've had to return anything, I've had no problem and deliveries are always in time or they refund the difference. They are not based in London but have an Aladdin's Cave warehouse and store in Norwich - not too far away by train or car if she wanted a day out in East Anglia. http://www.wexphotographic.com If she is a Nikon user, then Grays of Westminster in London is always worth a browse. as a customer also since 2008, +1 - they are excellent Kumar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I'd strongly recommend WEX because they have a vast range of kit at competitive prices, are absolutely reliable with excellent customer service and have very knowledgeable and helpful staff should she need any advice on most things photographic. I've been a customer since 2008 and rarely go anywhere else although I do checkl competitor prices. The few times I've had to return anything, I've had no problem and deliveries are always in time or they refund the difference. They are not based in London but have an Aladdin's Cave warehouse and store in Norwich - not too far away by train or car if she wanted a day out in East Anglia. http://www.wexphotographic.com If she is a Nikon user, then Grays of Westminster in London is always worth a browse. as a customer also since 2008, +1 - they are excellent Kumar Ditto. However I also get great deals with Campkins of Cambridge which match if not better WEX. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Edwards Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Calumet in London near Euston Park Cameras also have an outlet just off of Oxford Street (although recent poor reports from a number of Pro colleagues). Fixation in Vauxhall. I have also used LCE (London Camera Exchange) All pro stores with great staff. I used Calumet for years before switching to Fixation when I moved to Fuji Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Calumet in London near Euston Park Cameras also have an outlet just off of Oxford Street (although recent poor reports from a number of Pro colleagues). Fixation in Vauxhall. I have also used LCE (London Camera Exchange) All pro stores with great staff. I used Calumet for years before switching to Fixation when I moved to Fuji I've used Fixation for repairs and sensor cleaning. They were taken over last year by WEX - both have excellent customer service in my experience. I've also used Park and in fact just bought from them today as WEX didn't have the item in stock. Never had a problem with them. Prices are competitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morrison Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 My dealings with WEX have also been positive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeCee Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 WEX are good, also had excellent service and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerinF Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 Thank you everyone for your suggestions! Very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Do their prices include VAT? They are incredibly cheap if they do but there is nothing that I can see that says either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Do their prices include VAT? They are incredibly cheap if they do but there is nothing that I can see that says either way. Checkout doesn't add VAT. In any case you're not supposed to advertise VAT-exclusive prices to consumers and most retailers abide by it. Even Screwfix and the like show both prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave D Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Do their prices include VAT? They are incredibly cheap if they do but there is nothing that I can see that says either way. I think that the big brand items are grey imports, so still a genuine piece of kit but manufactured for a market other than the U.K. This would mean that it wouldn't have a manufacturers warranty in the U.K. But great savings. It wouldn't stop me from purchasing from them. I actually have a couple of things on my wish list to buy from them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Do their prices include VAT? They are incredibly cheap if they do but there is nothing that I can see that says either way. I think that the big brand items are grey imports, so still a genuine piece of kit but manufactured for a market other than the U.K. This would mean that it wouldn't have a manufacturers warranty in the U.K. But great savings. It wouldn't stop me from purchasing from them. I actually have a couple of things on my wish list to buy from them Yes that is what I concluded when I read that the products do not carry a manufacturer warranty and are only guaranteed for a year. I wouldn't risk it myself but I can see why others would given the large price differences for a lot of products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbiedooo Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Ironically LCE only has one outlet left in London, just checked. There are no chains left apparently, so you will have to go with a standalone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Ramsay Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 London Camera Exchange, Gray's for Nikon, plus Fixation or The Flash Centre for your actual professionals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Cant fault WEX, always fast delivery and good stock. Flash Centre and Calumet are also very good but don't always have the stock levels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inchiquin Posted December 27, 2016 Share Posted December 27, 2016 and good deals from H Dew Cameras, http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/ Do their prices include VAT? They are incredibly cheap if they do but there is nothing that I can see that says either way. I think the prices do include VAT, but they are grey imports. I took a chance and bought from them but regretted it afterwards. The camera I bought was faulty and the replacement had the same fault. Second time around they told me it must be my fault so they couldn't replace it, and Canon didn't want to know because it didn't come from the UK. I got my money back in the end but I wouldn't buy from them again. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imageplotter Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I've been a Calumet customer for the last 10 years (their rental department is knowledgeable and friendly with good 3-day/weekend rental deals), their open days usually come with decent offers. However lens/body pricing is often at the higher end and they don't seem to hold anywhere near as much in stock as they used to at Drummond Street. They offer free sensor cleaning on their Open Days. Recently also had a positive experience with Park Cameras (off Oxford Street) again (after a few years away) - friendly and they did hold a bigger variety of ie filters and accessories in stock. If it's the consumer end of photography, the remaining Jessops branches are also worth a try. Hdew - I bought a body from them recently (plus accessories) - can't fault them, no problems with the equipment, friendly customer service and the savings were considerable. But I did collect in person at their offices/warehouse and had a quick visual inspection and some test shots before parting with the full sum, plus it is useful to check what's in the box so that UK plugs are included (or they swap them), the manual is there etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Robinson Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 London Camera Exchange on the Strand (right in central London) is very good, especially for secondhand stuff but they do new as well. And as mentioned above, Calumet by Euston station is a great shop for proper photographers. One of the few remaining branches of Jessops in on Oxford Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Robinson Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 I have just discovered Camera Jungle - and have spent a lot of money with them. They operate from the basement of Jessops on Oxford Street and seem to be linked to them. I've bought two cameras and a lens from them and am very happy with the goods and the prices. All second hand stuff but much of it mint. The deliver next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Johnson Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 3-Legged-Thing is in London as well: https://3leggedthing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gallery Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 camerapricebuster.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.