Photography Thailand Forum

[Marc Schultz]

I believe that for Canon, which is the body Sophie wants to buy, is not available from Niks. Niks sells mainly Nikon and Mamiya I believe and possibly a few other brands they are the local importer on. Canon legally imported bodies which carry Canon Thailand warranties are only available from a few select resellers in Thailand that distribute for Canon, but not directly from Canon Thailand.

The group at MBK is one of them that sells Canon equipment brought in through Canon Thailand. There are others though and one can call Canon Thailand to find out for sure where else Canon camera bodies can be purchased in Bangkok.

Nikon doesn't actually have their own offices here in Thailand like Canon does so they have assigned one company, Niks Thailand in this case, to serve as their local importers, resellers, and service center all in one. So there is a bit of an oligopoly there in some ways if you want to buy Nikon brand equipment in Thailand since any other reseller in Thailand will be competing against pricing from the importer itself.

With Canon having their own offices here and selling through distributors it makes the playing field a bit more even with service and repair being provided by Canon directly and sales being handled through 3rd party shops only.

[willow]

I have found Foto-file on the ground floor in MBK good. look for a man named Wit - he speaks English and is good to deal with.

DO NOT go to the Foto-file on the 3rd floor, they do not want to give discounts, even when I was going to spend 45K Bht on 2 lenses. 

Josh.

The Foto-file shop is located near the Promotional area and the escalators in a area of boutique type kiosks.

[anna]

I found the ground floor Fotofile people to be friendlier, too, than their 3rd floor counterpart.  Anna

[David Procter]

Yep - I've been spending some money in photofile recently (both shops). Theyre pretty friendly on the third floor when you spend some of the well earned baht and cold drinks appear rapidly. You can pick up some decent second hand equipment on the ground floor.
Anna I signed up for the photocourse today - so see you on monday

[anna]

That's great, David.  So, I'll see you Monday at Alliance Francaise.  We actually have an assignment due for Monday.  I could email or fax it to you if you want.  Anna

[David Procter]

That would be great!
My friend Ken, will also be attending - exciting stuff!

my email dravlinbood@hotmail.com
www.pbase.com/dravlinbood

[mendana]

You did not specify what kind of camera you are after.

But in addition to the previous suggestions, if you are after second hand or MF gear, try Pirom Plaza (Mahachai Rd, between Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads, Chinatown). The complex has a bunch of small shops selling a big variety of second hand cameras, lenses and other equipment.

[PeterP]

I would also suggest Pirom Plaza, well worth a visit - but they are a bit laid back - no point going until after 2pm and even then you might find some of the small shps still closed! There are around 15 shops selling 2nd hand lenses and bits and pieces - most speak English. Don't try and pull the wool over their eyes however - they check e-bay prices in US and Europe!
I've found few taxi/motorcycle drivers have heard of it - tell them Burapha Hotel or Grandville Hotel - they will probably have heard of them.

[celtasia]

Try china town..but bargain hard. also for old lenses try sukhumvit road towards soi 20 ish....some old dusty shops that may have a few bits and bobs. such as lenses and filters.
happy hunting

[Vegard]

Camera Collection in Chanissara Tower in Silom, Surawong, Rama 4 has a wide range of both used and new film gear.

[jerry]

try mbk

[Chris Savery]

The Fotofile on the first floor in MBK is adjacent to the bus stop outside - right where the crossover walkway is. They actually have a door to the outside there (which I think they close at night). They are one of the better shops around but I still find them a bit knuckleheaded sometimes. I got a pretty decent deal on a Canon 70-200/2.8L there and if I didn't snap it up there was someone who showed up moments after me who was going to. The good stuff doesn't sit around and I gave them my wish list and they actually did call me when an item came in. Also they will let you try out the lenses just outside their door where you can take photos of  panels and grids and whatnot across the street.

Now where is that AV camera store near Saphan Taksin? I live near there and it would be real convenient...

Chris :)

[gregoire]

http://www.avcamera.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=48

AV Camera

1 Soi Keson (Charenkrong 50), Next to Robinson Bangrak,
New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Tel : 0-2237-1041-2, 0-2234-4786
Fax : 0-2237-8548

Email : avcamera@hotmail.com

ICQ : 172622004

[Chris Savery]

Thanks Gregoire.
I know Robinson's of course, so I'll have a look around there and check them out.
Chris :)

-- update
I did drop into the store. They didn't have what I wanted but hey, I've walked by that shop at least 20 times and never noticed it. Wow, talk about unobservant. Nice to know it's so close by though.