Photography Thailand Forum

[gregoire]

Chris Savery kindly recommended this place to me in another thread and even hand-drew a little map thanks to which I actually found it.

It's a tall, narrow run-down mall where every other shop sells second-hand cameras--the rest being toys for adults (not adult toys, you can't get those in Thailand): toy models, "Magic: The Gathering" playing cards, dolls of SWAT team units (no joke) etc.

The most visible shop (it's on two floors), and maybe the best stocked one as well, is Takeshi Camera--again a place I'd heard of but had no idea how to find. I collected a few business cards so here are some phone numbers and most importantly, a bilingual map!

A lot of the stuff at Pirom is pretty antique but not all of it. They even have digital-only (cropped-sensor) lenses.

Chusak Camera: 01-9345654, 06-5134760
Panida Photoshop: 0-7012-4140, 0-2222-8700 ext. 201, 203
Camera Takeshi: 0-2222-8700 ext.241, 0-2222-8143 ext.217, 0-2623-7602 direct
contact@cameratakeshi.com and even a website (only in Thai): http://www.cameratakeshi.com/

[Marc Schultz]

Gregoire, I have a friend who is looking for a second hand Leica film body and I was thinking to suggest that he check out Pirom Plaza. He said he already checked out Camera & Lens at Central Rama 3 with no success. Personally I have not been down there to Pirom before and was just wondering if you ever saw any Leica equipment there and/or if it is worth a look? If so, I will send him over there.

[gregoire]

Argh, can't remember too well. I'd guess yes but where I'm nearly positive there is a whole bunch of secondhand Leicas is at Fotofile on the ground floor of MBK.

[Marc Schultz]

I think he's looked at Fotofile already as well, but will mention it to him in case he hasn't. Many thanks.

[gilpen]

I'm new in Thailand and will stay here maybe for three years. I may visit this place tomorrow and will post what I find there.

[Chris Savery]

Talking about used camera stores - has anyone seen another place around Bangkok where they have lots of used hotshoe mount flashes?

[gilpen]

I was at Phirom last weekend and yes you can see a lot of used camera stores there from 1st to 4th floor. Takeshi is the biggest so far but also the most expensive I think. One thing good with takeshi is that there are many choices. I saw a Leica M3 mint with Sumicron 50 1.4 priced at Baht 99K a mint Nikon F2As black baht 27K serial starts 79xxxx oh and an F3T also at same price. They also trade or buy used camera but be ready for some low appraisals. I have 2 almost new never been used FM3a silver and black and thier trade price was only Baht 13K. These FM3a's are complete with box and manual. I am really interested in the F2As so I was ready to trade one and add some cash but their buying rate  is too low I guess. Anyway, I think a trip there is worth it. You may find something interesting. Btw, there are some Minox Leica replicas there at Baht 7K negotiable.

[Bryan Bondurant]

  Thailand has the highest prices in Southeast Asia on anything camera related. The little mall over there by Merry CENSORED WORD in Indian town as mentioned is OK for emergency gear acquisitions but but its worth a plane ticket to Hong Kong or even India for any serious purchase.

   With the current Dollar to Baht rate I can hardly afford to buy anything when it has a 20% or more premium just for being here. Where in the past I was pretty casual about paying extra I have gotten over that bigtime. On one camera body alone  a local shop was wanting 18,000 baht when it was discounted and discontinued in North America and selling for 75 bucks. I politely mentioned it "The current Value" but was basicly made aware they were more than happy to keep the camera for the next 20 years if it did not sell.

   While the buy and hold method of marketing is a rip off in modern cameras I was happy to find some tools a couple years ago that were brand new but were sitting in the warehouse for 25 years and I purchased them for early 1980 prices saving a bundle so I guess it can work both ways.


  Sidenote:  I have been wondering what in the heck all these little camera shops are going to do with all the moldy lens snapshot cameras they have for sell for hundreds of dollars? Any guesses for fun will be enjoyable reading.

[Chris Savery]

Like all museums they'll charge admission.
Actually they do business with the same nonsensical disregard for customers as most Thai's. That's something we're not used to but their attitude to non-buyers is always 'mai pen rai'.
Chris :)

[bkkdave]

I have to agree with Bryan about the camera pricing here. In the past I would just go to Fotofile MBK and trade in my old lens or body and buy new. I figured I did not want to be bothered listing items for sale hoping to get a better price but last year I put ten items on Ebay and was surprised at the good prices they brought. I then bought new in The US and did considerably better than at Fotofile. For me it was worth the effort and I am now gathering together some more items that I do not use any longer for my next trip to the US to list on Ebay.

Fotofile does offer VAT refunds but I am not eligible. In the past when ever I made a new purchase there, I always had a photo taken with some of the staff so I could show everyone where all of my money goes in Thailand.

As an aside I recently contacted a Ebay seller who would not ship to Thailand. He told me that he has had a few prior shipments mysteriously never arrive in LOS.

[gilpen]

I think all the high prices circulating in Thailand is due to the high tariff. In general, camera bodies are cheaper in USA but lens are not. There are many gray markets all over Asia like Hongkong and Philippines where you can buy lens far cheaper than BH or Adorama.

[epixx]

As an aside I recently contacted a Ebay seller who would not ship to Thailand. He told me that he has had a few prior shipments mysteriously never arrive in LOS.

I can confirm that. Two items shipped to me from USA never arrived here. Ebay is unfortunately not a good alternative for those of us who live here in LOS.

[epixx]

I have 2 almost new never been used FM3a silver and black and thier trade price was only Baht 13K. These FM3a's are complete with box and manual. 

Gilpen,
Are your FM3A's still for sale, or have you found a buyer? I could be interested in one of them.

[epixx]

Talking about used camera stores - has anyone seen another place around Bangkok where they have lots of used hotshoe mount flashes?

I think they have some at Foto Hobby.

[gilpen]

I have 2 almost new never been used FM3a silver and black and thier trade price was only Baht 13K. These FM3a's are complete with box and manual. 

Gilpen,
Are your FM3A's still for sale, or have you found a buyer? I could be interested in one of them.

Sorry for the late reply. yes will sell. I have with me now the black model and 2 MF lenses the 35 1.4 AIS and the 50 1.2 AI. You can call me at my handphone 085-9118799. My chrome is in Philippines now. The black FM3a has the original hand grip on it which makes it a lot easier to hold including a soft release mounted on the shutter release. I also have the SB30 flash that can come with it if you need one. SB30 is TTL and works well with the FM3a. The box is in Philippines and can give later.