[Buyer Beware] Orient Camera Sim Lim

[zoopido]

Hi,

I went to orient camera today (6th floor Sim Lim) to buy a camera bag and saw the gorilla tripod that interests me. After letting the sales guy know that I have a panasonic GF1, he recommended the Gorilla SLR Zoom and triopo adapter for $120 because he told me the original joby ball is a lot more expensive at 70-80 just for the ball. I believed the guy and bought it.

I'm very very very new to the camera scene but didn't expect to get scammed into buying something I didn't need at a "reputable" shop. After coming home, I did a quick search and realized I only needed a gorilla SLR which even includes the quick release thingy for $70. My bad for not doing my research properly before hand, my fault for looking like a tourist (I'm a foreigner). CP sells the gorilla slr with joby head for just 138 T_T

Feel pretty cheated right now, so had to rant. Can delete/ignore this post if it's against forum rules.

 

[night86mare]

zoopido,

the difference between gorilla slr zoom and slr is the weight rating. slr rating is 800g, slr zoom rating is 3 kg.

OP probably sold the slr zoom to you thinking that you might exceed 800g with the gf1. it is not hard if you use longer lens that tend to be heavier.

yes, you don't need a BALLHEAD (not a tripod adaptor, unless they are selling something really cool that i have never heard of) - which is probably what they sold you, and i do not know the price of a joby ballhead back in singapore but it is selling for 36 pounds here, which will be indeed land it in the 70-80 range. even if it is a bit cheaper than here, which it usually is, it will not be less than $60, i estimate.

the slr zoom itself will not be that cheap, i think.. but yes, it is bundled at cathay photo at $123.

http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/offers/category/camera-support

what ballhead did they sell you? is there a brand, model number? i'm sure it came with a box.

i think to be fair, in my close to 2-3 years of dealing with OP, i have never heard of anyone complaining about them ripping anyone off significantly.. this is probably a miscommunication. if you have kept your receipt, and have the original packaging, you can call them and try to get an exchange.. i don't know if they entertain refunds. no harm trying - i think they are quite ok for a singapore camera shop for sure.

 

[zoopido]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry for my lack of terminology, I'm completely new to this camera business.

It's a Triopo KJ-0, the exact same one they pair with at cathay photo (for $103). Considering I told him my camera, the lens I use and the fact I'm new, he should've at least mentioned the existence of the smaller version. Not only is it cheaper but it also comes with the ballhead (with a quick release!). I was actually going there to buy a bag but ended up looking at the gorilla (damn cool).

After some googling, even the 45-200mm lens with a GF1 will not exceed 800g (I don't even have this lens). They clearly sold me something I would never use. Next time I'll try CP or MS instead

 

[sinned79]

After some googling, even the 45-200mm lens with a GF1 will not exceed 800g (I don't even have this lens). They clearly sold me something I would never use. Next time I'll try CP or MS instead

u sure 45-200mm wun exceed 800g?

by the way bro u dun look far, look at this way, are u going to be stuck with this cam and lens for the rest of your life?

 

[sinned79]

anyway your camera weight plus lens right, u dun count exactly hit 800g then u use a tripod that can hold the weight of 800g >

u should adopt the plus minus method.

anything that comes close to 700g means its better to get a tripod that can hold more then 800g.

 

[zoopido]

45-200 is one of the heaviest lens in m43 at 380g, while the body is only 285g at a total of 665g. I don't even own that lens, the heaviest lens I own is the 45mm macro at 280g. Thanks for the tips though, I'll keep that in mind.

Don't get me wrong, I think the tripod is nice and I'll keep it since I already bought it. However doesn't change the fact that OP sold me something I really don't need any time soon and CP is (surprisingly) more competitively priced at $103 (15% variation isn't small). If you consider the fact he would've charged me $70 for the Joby ballhead, that would have been $150! (CP is selling $123). So I neither got a good price or quality service.

 

[jonathann]

you ballhead dont weight a single gram eh?

 

[zoopido]

you ballhead dont weight a single gram eh?

Please forgive me for my lack of camera knowledge as I've already stated ;( I'm a complete camera n00b. I wasn't aware this adds to the weight limit.

However, the smaller version has a fixed ballhead, so the 800g limit likely includes the ballhead.

 

[night86mare]

Don't get me wrong, I think the tripod is nice and I'll keep it since I already bought it. However doesn't change the fact that OP sold me something I really don't need any time soon and CP is (surprisingly) more competitively priced at $103 (15% variation isn't small). If you consider the fact he would've charged me $70 for the Joby ballhead, that would have been $150! (CP is selling $123). So I neither got a good price or quality service.

nothing wrong with selling you something "safer"

there is always a slight variation in price, perhaps CP can afford to price it more competitively because of source of joby? :dunno:

 

[night86mare]

i really think you should relax,

if giving you something more than you need is cheating, then time to make noise about the camera shops that sell nikon d3 and d3x to consumers.

he gave advice, suggestion, you didn't ask for the difference, why, and just buy. i can see where the shop is coming from by selling you the slr zoom as well.

if you wish to complain, yes, they sold you $120 over $103 at CP. that's not a "rip-off" per se. not to me.

 

[kniveswood]

Don't forget many manufacturers are rather optimistic when stating their product specs. Even if your setup weigh at just 799g, it may not be very stable.

 

[PenguinKoh]

So far I have no problem when Orient Photo @ Sim Lim.

Bought few items from them and the price quoted is reasonable.

 

[zoopido]

This is my first camera purchase experience in Singapore. I bought my GF1 and lens in HK. I just found the experience less then great for a "recommended" shop and wanted to share my thoughts, I guess that's not ok here.

I'm happy with the product, it's been fun playing with it tonight.

My fault for making impulse purchases without proper research.

 

[catchlights]

it is always good play on the safe side, rather than KPKB later if the camera kissed the floor.