Product List, retail sites and price guides (update 06)

[zoossh]

Well, if the moderators have seen this post, i do hope that the update versions can write over the sticky as not only I can't edit, I also cannot add on post to the sticky thread (expired). I haven't have replies after enquiries, really would appreciate that.

Summary
1. Before considering DSLR upgrading from compacts
2. Retail sites & links to price guides
3. Product Listing: Digital Camera system/bodies
4. Product Listing: Film/other Camera system/bodies
5. Product Listing: Interchangeable lens & filters
6. Product Listing: Tripod/support systems
7. Product Listing: Camera Bags
8. Product Listing: Lighting & Studio products
9. Product Listing: Viewfinder, Maintanence, miscellaneous accessories
10. Product Listing: Photo storage, Post-processing
11. Binding services

And anyone interested in travelling may also join this thread.
http://www.clubsnap.org/forums/showthread.php?t=237427

 

[zoossh]

Before considering DSLR upgrading from compacts

1. Always consider the weight and bulk of a DSLR first
- does it affect the mobility and your mood in bringing it around and using it to shoot?
- how heavy are you willing to bring around?
- always remember one thing: the likelihood of you bringing out the camera is the 1st and foremost single most important factor before anything else.

2. Would a bridge camera with manual settings suffice?
- consider intermediate weight/bulk
- consider non-interchangeble lens

3. Consider entry-level v.s. midrange DSLR
- go for the entry level if you do not know about SLR and manual settings, start small and slow
- go for midrange pricing if you are already confident about manual settings and have extra to splurge, or if you know you are very likely to upgrade from an entry level very soon (e.g. within a year) becos you are more than sufficient to handle an entry level

4. Consider which brand of camera system
- consider the lens pricing you are willing to expand to
- consider the format of the aspect ratio - whether you like 4/3 (1.33) or wider (1.5)
- know your needs of the focal range, if not just start with a kit lens, play until comfortable before considering new lens that does not cover your range.

5. When & where to buy?
- anytime as prices take a long time to depreciate, not worth waiting and not shooting
- avoid buying too short before going overseas (one of the most common reason to get a good camera), play around well with your camera before setting out.
- avoid settling the deal with the various fairs, as prices is poorly competitive, gives you junk freebies and often poor customer services + lack of time to consider your purchase with higher likelihood to buy on impulse without due information from retailers.
- call up the shop to get the e quotes to compare, dun be shy about it
- go to the shop you are comfortable with, best with a friend who knows the shop already
- avoid going for less known shops if you have no general idea about the market, start off with a safe shop listed here, venture off when you feel more comfortable about the market

6. What do you need to check at the shop?
- of cos that it is working and has the various components included (a gd habit), but this is less often the case once you are comfortable with the shop, especially when it is more or less reputed
- warranty. yes, confirm that it is warranty from the manufacturer and if their service centre is in Singapore. Grey set means it is parallel import without going through the distributor and hence does not carry warranty. If so, warranty may be covered only by the shop and yet nothing is stated on paper and often not spelled out too, even verbally. Next thing is whether the item is covered by local or international warranty and how long is it. wanted to be more confident and dun get bluffed? search for warranty information online first.

7. What accessories do you first consider to buy almost immediately after the camera system?
- a UV filter to protect the front element of the lens
- a dry cabinet to keep your camera and other stuff (can consider a mid to big size as chances of upgrade is high)
- extra battery
- a lenspen
- a starting reading material e.g. Understanding exposure by Peter Bryanson, and maybe a good magazine to spice up your interest, e.g. photography monthly, practical photography, digital camera world
- a shoulder bag, the most common camera bag format. bags is something that most people will remain unsatisfied with and largely dependent on individual preference. start with a shoulder bag first, then slowly consider what you want to change to, e.g. brands with better straps, backpack, SBO types? dun worry, it is common to have a few bags and still remained undecisive on what's best.

8. What accessories would you slowly consider on adding on?
- more memories
- circular polariser and neutral density filters
- tripod and ballhead
- external flash
- graduated neutral density filters
- a more complete cleaning kit
- more and better bags
- a good editing software
- monitor calibration tools

9. Is it ok to ask in the forum still if you are unsure?
- sure you can.
- BUT make sure you state at least two things
1. what is your needs? what kind of pictures are you most likely to take? What is your concerns and worries, e.g. weight, image quality, file size, cost?
2. what is your budget? state one you think you are more comfortable with. state one you think you can afford to stretch if the deal is good.

 

[zoossh]

Retail sites both online/shopfront, local/overseas

Retail Shop List in Singapore
List of better known shops in Singapore
Product listing from cathay photo

Personal experience: most shops listed here have non-exorbitant pricing but can be marked up variably depending on their profit margins. Try to do some homework before purchase, no matter how good they are to some forumers, there is always some occasions of less-than-honest incidents that may occasionally occur to a minority of customers.

Cathay (Peninsula/Marina):
widest range of professional products, but price is marked up for some

TK photo (Shaw/Beach Rd):
wide range of product, fairly competitive price

John 3:16 (Funan):
best service and customer care, more honest than the other shops, look for Samuel

MS photo (AMK):
competitive price, less crowded, alternative for those located in the north, holds PPCP products

Lords (Orchard):
friendly service, good stocking records, but too near to other badly reputed tourist-cheating shops

TCW Camera Workshop (Coleman Street):
good prices for grey set but take precaution what you are buying to avoid misunderstandings, do repairs with fair competition to Nikon Service Centre.

Alan photo (Funan/Simlim):
consider only for more common products, competitive prices, staff do not know
much about photography, more of an camera-electronic retail shop like Harvey Norman



Local Online Retailers
Perly
perfectpixelcameraparts.com
Tagotech & PQ23's site at clubsnap, please scroll to the last few posts to check out on its latest stock list


Overseas Online Retailers
Malaysia: Shashinki (clubsnap), (main)
US: B+H (US)
US: Adorama (US)
UK: Robert White (UK)
HK: Maxsaver.net: can consider their B+W filters, took about 1-2 weeks to arrive. look at this thread
US: Buydig recommended in this post

Overseas Shop General Pricelist / Buying overseas
HK shop - Tin Cheung
China: PConline, not recommended, see this thread
Japan - Photoguide Japan: link, In Tokyo, you should check out fujiya camera in Nakano - just a couple of stations away from Shinjuku (from tetrode )
US: forum with B&S (local) Fredmiranda recommended in this post




Links to price guides (user maintainence)

Compacts, Ultracompacts, Prosumers
Digicams pricelist

Bronica medium format system
clubsnap link from skyestang

Sony, Konica-Minolta DSLR
KM & KM-Compatible Lens Pricelist

Nikon DSLR
Nikon & Nikon-compatible-3rd party Pricelist
Nikon Lens in HK Pricelist

Canon DSLR
Canon DSLR Pricelist
Canon Lens Pricelist
Canon Accessories Pricelist
Canon 3rd Party Pricelist

Olympus DSLR
Olympus equipment Pricelist
Olympus Zuiko Digital Lens Pricelist

3rd party Lens
Sigma Lens Pricelist
Tamron & Tokina Pricelist

Other accessories
Lowepro bag Pricelist
Crumpler bag Pricelist
Filters Pricelist
Gitzo Tripod Pricelist
Voigtländer (sg distributor)

Memory cards
Compact Flash Pricelist (started in 2006 Apr 10)
Compact Flash Pricelist (started in 2006 Aug 06)
CF & SD Pricelist



Links to price guides (web admin maintanence)
Display
Graphic cards
Printers
Scanners
Software: only got 1 item so far, ADOBE Photoshop CS2 (Box Edition) at S$1176.
portable memory cards
Bargaincity electronics
Harvey Norman (au): well, i guess some do buy from HN who is an Australian company but do not have a website for Singapore. I do not know if the price in their official website correlates here.

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Digital Camera system/bodies

DSLR system/bodies: 1.50 aspect ratio
Japan - Nikon D (global), (sg)
Japan - Canon EOS (sg), (usa), (hk)
Japan - Konica Minolta Dynax (ca) now under Sony
Japan - Sony alpha (sg), (usa)
Japan - Fujifilm S-pro (global)
Japan - Sigma SD series (usa), (jp), (uk)
Japan - Asahi Pentax K & *ist (global)
Korea - Samsung Techwin (global), (usa) similar to pentax at the moment

DSLR system/bodies: 1.33 aspect ratio
Japan - Olympus E (sg)
Japan - Ma-tsu-shi-ta National Panasonic Lumix DSLR (global) capable of shooting to 1.50 and 1.88 aspect ratio

Digital rangefinder
Japan - Epson R-D1 (usa),

Larger format Digital or Digital back/adapter systems
USA - Leaf camera backs (global) (now under Kodak)
USA - Mega-vision (main)
Germany - Leica R system with digital module (usa)
Germany - Contax 645 (usa)
Germany - Rollei (special, metric)
Switzerland - Sinar
Sweden - Hasselblad (SE in english)
Japan - Mamiya (usa), (uk), (main)
Japan - Komamura Horseman (usa)

Bridge/Prosumers: Fixed lens often with SLR-style sidegrip & manual exposure controls
Japan - Canon Powershot (sg), (usa), (hk)
Japan - Olympus SP & C (sg)
Japan - Sony Cybershot DSC-R & DSC-H (sg), (usa)
Japan - Fujifilm S (global), E (global)
Japan - Ma-tsu-shi-ta National Panasonic Lumix (global)
Japan - Asahi Pentax Optio 750Z (global)
Japan - Casio Exlim Pro (usa)
Korea - Samsung Techwin (global), (usa)
USA - Kodak Easyshare (usa)

Digital compacts ("C") and ultracompacts ("UC") (aka point & shoot)
Japan - Nikon Coolpix (global), (sg), accessories (global)
Japan - Canon Ixus (sg), (hk)
Japan - Olympus mju (sg) , FE & C (sg)
Japan - Konica Minolta Dimage (ca) now under Sony
Japan - Sony Cybershot DSC all cybershot (sg), W&S "C" (usa), T&N "UC" (usa)
Japan - Fujifilm (global)
Japan - Ma-tsu-shi-ta National Panasonic Lumix (global)
Japan - Asahi Pentax Optio (global)
Japan - Ricoh Caplio & GR (asia)
Japan - Casio Exlim Card & Zoom (usa)
Japan - Sanyo VPC (global)
Japan - Yashica (defunct from 2005)
Taiwan - Benq DC (global)
Korea - Samsung Techwin NV "UC" (global), digimax "C/UC" (global 1, 2, 3), (usa)
USA - Kodak Easyshare (usa)
USA - Hewlett Packard Photosmart (global)
USA - Vivitar (global)
Germany - Leica (usa) similar to Panasonic
Germany - Zeiss-Ikon Contax (usa)
Germany - Rollei (main)

Underwater cameras
Germany - Cullmann
Japan - Sony (sg)
Japan - Pentax Optio W20

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Film/other Camera system/bodies

Larger format Film SLR
Japan - Asahi Pentax (global)
Japan - Toyo (usa) under Mamiya
Germany - Zeiss-Ikon Contax (usa)
USA - K. B. Canham (main)

35mm Film SLR
Japan - Nikon (sg)
Japan - Canon (hk), (usa)
Japan - Asahi Pentax (global)
USA - Vivitar (global)
Germany - Leica R system (usa)
Germany - Zeiss-Ikon Contax (usa)

Rangefinders
Germany - Leica M (usa), M limited editions (usa)
Germany - Zeiss-Ikon Contax (usa)
Austrian (Japanese/Germany) - Voigtländer (now under Cosina/Ringfoto) Bessa rangefinder (sg)

Special effects camera
Austria - Lomo's lomography shop (US)
HK - Holga's Holgamods (US)
USA - Polaroid (sg)

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Interchangeable lens & filters

DSLR Lens proprietary makers
Japan - Nikkor (global)
Japan - Canon (hk), (usa)
Japan - Olympus Zuiko E (sg)
Japan - Sony alpha (sg)
Japan - Asahi Pentax (global)
Germany - Schneider-Kreuznach D-xenon (global) for Samsung DSLR
Germany - Leica (usa)

DSLR Lens 3rd party
Japan - Sigma (usa)
Japan - Tamron
Japan - Tokina
USA - Lensbabies
Germany - Carl Zeiss-Ikon (main), ZM lens (limited information)

Manual Russian/European Fisheyes
Belarus - Belomo Peleng (main), (review)
Russia - Zenitar (RU in english)

Conversion lens, magnification tools, adapter rings
Japan - Olympus (sg)
Japan - Sony (sg)
Japan - Asahi Pentax Photolupes (global)
Japan - Fujifilm (uk)
Japan - Matsushi-ta National Panasonic (here)
Japan - Kenko
Japan - Yoshida Raynox(main)
Korea - Samsung Techwin (global)
Taiwan - Giottos (main)
USA - Peak optics
Czech Republic - Meopta

Large format / Special / other lens
Germany - Linos Rodenstock (main)
Germany - Schneider Optics (main), (industrial optics)
Austrian (Japanese/Germany) - Voigtländer (now under Cosina/Ringfoto) rangefinder lens (sg distributor url), (thread in clubsnap)

Round screw-on filters - common brand
Japan - Nikon Filters
Japan - Hoya
Japan - Kenko
Japan - Marumi
Germany - Schneider B+W
Germany - Heliopan
USA - Tiffen

Round screw-on filters - less common brand
Japan - Sony (sg)
Japan - Zenza Bronica (google link) now under Tamron.
Japan - Matushi-ta National Panasonic (here)
Japan - Sunpak pictureplus filters (distributed by Tocad)
Germany - Contax (uk)
Germany - Rolleiflex (google link), Rollei (google link)
Germany - Rodenstock sold to Linos AG phototonic (Germany)
Germany - Hama (UK)
Taiwan - Giottos (main)
Korea - Matin (filter)

85mm square filters, e.g. graduated density
France - Cokin (FR in english)
USA - Singh-Ray
USA - Visual Departure Hitech
HK - Tianya 天涯滤镜 (retailer site)

100mm square filters, e.g. graduated density
UK - Lee (UK), Lee (US)
USA - Visual Departure Hitech

Lens Hoods
Japan - Nikon Lens Hoods (sg)

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Tripod/support systems

High end
Korea - Markins
Switzerland - Foba
Switzerland - Graf's Studioball
Switzerland - Arca Swiss (no webpage found)
Germany - Linhof
Germany - FLM gmbh (de in eng)
USA - Acratech
USA - Wimberley
USA - Kirk
USA - Reallyrightstuff
Canada - Jobu

Mid range
Italy - Manfrotto
France - Gitzo
Germany - Cullmann
Germany - FLM (distributed via omega satter)
Germany - Novoflex (tripod), (head & accessories)
UK - Benbo/Uni-Loc (other sites)
Taiwan - Giottos
Taiwan - Feisol
Japan - Slik
Japan - Velbon
Japan - Sunpak tripods system (distributed by Tocad), ballheads (listed in B&H)
USA - Tiffen's Davis & Sanford
USA - NPC prohead

Others
Singapore - PPCP (SG)
Japan - Sonystyle (sg)
US - Joby Gorillapods
Canada - The Pod (beanbags)
Australia - Miller
China - Benro (beware benro is not benbo products)
China - Kangrinpoche

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Camera Bags

Shoulder/Side Sling
UK - Billingham
UK - Fogg
UK - Camera Care Systems
UK - Nat Geo from Barbour, from other retailer, from skyestang
Germany - Cullmann
France/Belgium - Delsey (French) & Agena (Belgian)
Taiwan - Giottos
USA - Tamrac
USA - Lowepro
USA - Tenba
USA - Domke
USA - Kiesel
USA - Lightware
USA - Naneu Pro
USA - Portabrace
Israel - Kata
Australia - Crumpler
HK - Mascotte
China - Safrotto (in chinese)

Daypack/Backpacks/Haversack
Japan - Canon Deluxe Backpack 200 EG (review)
Korea - Matin
UK - Camera Care Systems
USA - Case Logic SLR cases
USA - Kiesel
USA - Lightware
USA - Moose's photopack
USA - Naneu Pro
USA - Phoenix
USA - Portabrace
USA? - Photobackpacker
Australia - Crumpler
Israel - Kata

Belt & Holster
USA - M rock
USA - Newswear
USA - Think Tank (global), recommended review & FAQ 1, 2, need more promptly email reply
USA - Naneu Pro holster cases
UK - Snapper Stuff (global) selling thinktank products in UK
UK - Camera Care Systems Belt
Israel - Kata

Hard casing
USA - Zero Halliburton
USA - Pelican (US), Peli (EU), Distributor in sg
USA - Hardigg Storm cases (main)
USA - Gexar (here)
USA - Seahorse
USA - Portabrace (hard cases)
USA - Portercase
Japan - Nikon Trunk Case CT series
Japan - Sony
Korea - Matin (hardcase & castor)
Germany - Cullmann
some discussion on pelican and hard casing in general
Italy - Amabilia (here)

Rolling Cases with castors (e.g. air stewardess type)
Israel - Kata Photo Organizers
Israel - Petrol (camera bags), (light bags), (producer bags)
USA - Lightware rolling cargoes/stand, multimates
USA - Lowepro rolling cases
USA - Pelican (B&H retail)
USA - Porter Case (soft office), (backpack)
USA - Tamrac rolling cases
USA - Tenba air case with wheels
USA - Naneu Pro rolling cases
USA - Portabrace (hard case with castors)
USA - Portercase
Korea - Matin (hardcase & castor)

Travel Vest
UK - National Geographics (global)
Korea - Matin (vest)

Weather covers
USA - Vortex Media Storm Jackets
Further information in this thread (note: mass order is over)
USA - Portabrace (rain covers)
Israel - Kata (here)

Underwater casing
Japan - Olympus underwater casing (sg)
Japan - Fujifilm underwater accessories (uk)
UK - Aquapac (main), (usa: camera casing)
Canada - Aquatica (main: pdf product retail prices) - for Canon/Nikon DSLRs
Canada - Bonica Precision (main)

Other adaptable bags / pouches / lightweight storage
USA - Roadwired
USA - Eagle Creek
USA - Sundog
USA - Phoenix (pouches & small bags)
USA - gnassgear (here)
USA - Portabrace (pouch, straps, filter case)
Korea - Matin (lens pouch)
USA - mountain smith
Japan - Nikon lens pouch
Japan - Elecom laptop/memory casings Eu: zero shock, (in Japanese)

Tripod bag
Israel - Kata
Korea - Matin
USA - Phoenix
USA - Portabrace
USA - Roadwired (pouches & small bags)

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Lighting & Studio products

External flash (proprietary)
Japan - Nikon Speedlight (global), (sg)
Japan - Canon Speedlite (usa), (hk)
Japan - Olympus (sg)
Japan - Konica Minolta Maxxum (ca) (discontinued)
Japan - Sony (sg), (usa)
Japan - Asahi Pentax (global)
Japan - Matsu-shi-ta National Panasonic (main)
Korea - Samsung SEF-36PZF flash for GX-1
Germany - Leica SF 24D flash for R9 DSLR

External flash (3rd party)
Japan - Sunpak (homepage in English), (homepage in Japanese), (distributed by Tocad)
Germany - Metz (DE)
USA - Wein homepage, (distributed by omegasatter)
Germany - Cullmann
HK - Achiever (hk)

Flash diffuser
Japan - Sunpak
USA - Lumiquest
USA - Gary Fong's Lightsphere
USA - Stofen
USA - Joe Demb flip-it (main)

Flash brackets
USA - Stroboframe (main) under tiffen

Grey cards
USA - Expodisc
UK - Lastolite
Australia - raw workflow whibal
Korea - Zerocs (in Hangul)

Light meters
Germany - Gossen (DE)
Japan - Sekonic
Japan - Asahi Pentax Spotmeter (global)
Japan - Konica Minolta Maxxum (ca) (discontinued)
Unknown - Shepherd/Polaris B&H link

Studio lights, stands & large diffusers
UK - Bowens
UK - Paterson Interfit
UK - Lastolite
Italy - Cosmolight (IT)
Switzerland - Elinchrom
Sweden - Profoto
UK - Colorama
USA - Photoflex
Singapore? - Suntax (SG)

Wireless / cable trigger / remote
USA - Pocketwizard

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Viewfinder & LCD accessories

Angle finders
Korea - Seculine Zigview (KR), Intro 2020 (UK distributor)
China - Seagull angle finder (CN retailer site)
Note: Seculine does not reply to email even if it is partially written in Korean.

Pop-up shades
US/UK - Delkin pop up shades

others
Switzerland - Alpa viewfinder for medium formats (ch)




Product Listing: Maintanence equipments

Drybox
Singapore - Digi-Cabi
Japan - Toyo living totech Super Special Series, professional, dry bags
Japan? - Akarui (cannot find webpage)

Sensor Cleaning
Canada - Visible Dust

Cleaning kit
USA - Kinetronics & Speckgrabber
USA - Photographic Solutions
Canada - Lenspen
Taiwan - Giottos blower & cleaning kit
Korea - Matin (cleaning kit)




Product Listing: Smaller miscellaneous accessories

Proprietary Makers
Japan - Fujifilm (uk)

Shoulder Straps
USA - Op/Tech
USA - Upstrap

Smaller accessories
HK - Jenis
USA - Op/Tech
USA - Hakuba
USA - Lenscoat
Taiwan - Giottos (main): remotes, media casing, screen protector
Switzerland - Gepe Card Safe: memory card holder
UK - SW Kenyon K-sprays: color sprays

Miscellaneous
Japan - Kenko-Tokina (JP in Japanese)
Japan - Niko Cosina (JP in Japanese)
Japan - UN (Unique and New things) (in Japanese)
Austrian-Germany - Voigtländer (DE in English) now under Cosina
Germany - Pentacon Dresden Praktica Camera Systems
Germany - Novoflex
Korea - Matin
UK - Kenro

 

[zoossh]

Product Listing: Photo storage

SD cards, CF & other flash memory cards
Japan - Olympus xD card
Japan - Fujifilm xD card (global), various memory types (uk)
Japan - Matsushi-ta National Panasonic (here)
USA - Sandisk
USA - Lexar
USA - Corsair
Taiwan - Kingston
Taiwan - Kingmax
Taiwan - Twinmos
Taiwan - A-Data (US)
Taiwan - Transcend (US)
Taiwan - PQI
Taiwan - Silicon Power
Japan - Hagiwara (US)
Japan - Toshiba
US/UK - Delkin Efilm

Card holders
Germany - Gepe (global)
US/UK - Delkin eFilm mini-tote

Portable storage:
Comparison of portable storage (2005-2006)
Guide to portable storage
Japan - Epson: portable photoviewer
Japan - Sony
HK - Anpson Digimate (UK)
Taiwan - Vosonic
Singapore - Eastgear compactdrive
France - Archos
Korea - Savit Micro Fotomore & NextoCF; Fotomore II
China - XS drive





Product Listing: Post-processing

Photoediting software (retail)
Japan - Nikon Capture (global), (sg)

LCD monitor display
Korea - LG
Korea - Samsung
Japan - Eizo Nanao
Japan - NEC
Japan - Sony (SG)
Taiwan - Viewsonic
Taiwan - Benq
Taiwan - Acer
Taiwan - Chimei
The Netherlands - Koninklijke Philips Electronics (SG)
USA - Dell
USA - Apple Mac
USA + France - LaCie électronique d2

Printing/Color calibration
Switzerland - Datacolor & Colorvision
Switzerland + USA - Gretagmacbeth

Slide & Film Scanning
Japan - Nikon Coolscan (global), (sg)

 

[zoossh]

Binding services

Retail Binding Services in Singapore
1. Glory workz: 12 stirling road #30-13 S148955 , Tel/Fax 64736592 , HP 90079472
2. Beautiful Memories: Stanford Road (sells Glory Workz stuff (look for Sanjay)
3. Fotohub: Suntec website
4. Simple digital: blk 231 bain st #02-09 bras basha complex, facing NLB that row of shop.
5. IQ Industrial Pte Ltd: contact Kelvin Chean, email: iq_industrial@hotmail.com, Hp: (65) 9455-1066, Tel: (65) 6456-1530
6. Ultra Supplies: Queensway Shopping Centre, #03-37/45, Tel: 64796074 (look for Eddie), 3 days service - S$15, 5 days service - $9.50, 1 day service - $40, 1 hour service - $80
7. Classic Book Binder: Blk 30 #03-92 Defu Lane 10, S539211, Tel 63824597, 62808720
8. nucolor: straddle stitch, does digital printing on their digital printer and than staple together for you
9. Shop at Whitesands Pasir Ris: that's one shop in whitesands pasir ris. 3rd floor
10. Selegie and Zap it at Causeway Point

Industrial/Commercial Printing/Binding Services in Singapore
(open currently to strictly Professional Wedding Photographers only on a business to business basis)
Kikuze: KiKUZE Solutions Pte Ltd
6 Aljunied Avenue 3 #01-02, Singapore 389932, It's a green-yellow coloured building, just look out for it and walk towards it. The entrance to our factory is near the security guard post side. If you enter from the side gate near the bus-stop, just walk straight towards the other side. Tel: +65 6746 8765, Fax: +65 6746 2550, E-mail: enquiry@kikuze.com. (Professional Wedding Photographers can contact nick: igpenguin at clubsnap regarding order details)

Retail Binding Services in Overseas
Pixart (MY)



Retail Printing Services in Singapore
1. Beautiful Memories: Stanford Road (sells Glory Workz stuff (look for Sanjay)
2. Kim Tian: 531 Upper Cross St #01-06 Hong Lim Complex, Singapore
050531, Contact: 65381422, Email: ktcolour@pacific.net.sg, OPERATING HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00am-8:00pm, Sat 10:00am-7:00pm, Sun OFF, (across the famous "you ji mian"). Very good service and fast also. Look for Michelle or Peiyun when you get there, very pleasant ladies to work with. (from EJB)
3. Miao Laan Color Centre: Blk 154 #01-302 Bukit Batok St 11, Behind Mcdonald's and next to KFC, Tel: 65641062, Look for Kelvyn to help you.

 

[zoossh]

Before considering DSLR upgrading from compacts

1. Always consider the weight and bulk of a DSLR first
- does it affect the mobility and your mood in bringing it around and using it to shoot?
- how heavy are you willing to bring around?
- always remember one thing: the likelihood of you bringing out the camera is the 1st and foremost single most important factor before anything else.

2. Would a bridge camera with manual settings suffice?
- consider intermediate weight/bulk
- consider non-interchangeble lens

3. Consider entry-level v.s. midrange DSLR
- go for the entry level if you do not know about SLR and manual settings, start small and slow
- go for midrange pricing if you are already confident about manual settings and have extra to splurge, or if you know you are very likely to upgrade from an entry level very soon (e.g. within a year) becos you are more than sufficient to handle an entry level

4. Consider which brand of camera system
- consider the lens pricing you are willing to expand to
- consider the format of the aspect ratio - whether you like 4/3 (1.33) or wider (1.5)
- know your needs of the focal range, if not just start with a kit lens, play until comfortable before considering new lens that does not cover your range.

5. When & where to buy?
- anytime as prices take a long time to depreciate, not worth waiting and not shooting
- avoid buying too short before going overseas (one of the most common reason to get a good camera), play around well with your camera before setting out.
- avoid settling the deal with the various fairs, as prices is poorly competitive, gives you junk freebies and often poor customer services + lack of time to consider your purchase with higher likelihood to buy on impulse without due information from retailers.
- call up the shop to get the e quotes to compare, dun be shy about it
- go to the shop you are comfortable with, best with a friend who knows the shop already
- avoid going for less known shops if you have no general idea about the market, start off with a safe shop listed here, venture off when you feel more comfortable about the market

6. What do you need to check at the shop?
- of cos that it is working and has the various components included (a gd habit), but this is less often the case once you are comfortable with the shop, especially when it is more or less reputed
- warranty. yes, confirm that it is warranty from the manufacturer and if their service centre is in Singapore. Grey set means it is parallel import without going through the distributor and hence does not carry warranty. If so, warranty may be covered only by the shop and yet nothing is stated on paper and often not spelled out too, even verbally. Next thing is whether the item is covered by local or international warranty and how long is it. wanted to be more confident and dun get bluffed? search for warranty information online first.

7. What accessories do you first consider to buy almost immediately after the camera system?
- a UV filter to protect the front element of the lens
- a dry cabinet to keep your camera and other stuff (can consider a mid to big size as chances of upgrade is high)
- extra battery
- a lenspen
- a starting reading material e.g. Understanding exposure by Peter Bryanson, and maybe a good magazine to spice up your interest, e.g. photography monthly, practical photography, digital camera world
- a shoulder bag, the most common camera bag format. bags is something that most people will remain unsatisfied with and largely dependent on individual preference. start with a shoulder bag first, then slowly consider what you want to change to, e.g. brands with better straps, backpack, SBO types? dun worry, it is common to have a few bags and still remained undecisive on what's best.

8. What accessories would you slowly consider on adding on?
- more memories
- circular polariser and neutral density filters
- tripod and ballhead
- external flash
- graduated neutral density filters
- a more complete cleaning kit
- more and better bags
- a good editing software
- monitor calibration tools

9. Is it ok to ask in the forum still if you are unsure?
- sure you can.
- BUT make sure you state at least two things
1. what is your needs? what kind of pictures are you most likely to take? What is your concerns and worries, e.g. weight, image quality, file size, cost?
2. what is your budget? state one you think you are more comfortable with. state one you think you can afford to stretch if the deal is good.

10. Where else should a newbie start after buying your system?
- there are already 2 sticky in this newbie subforum, they are meant to help you before you post similar questions with answer already available.
- start saucing your interest with books and magazines.
- my favorite magazines being
1. practical photography
2. digital camera world (note the word "world", cos there are other similar titles)
3. photography monthly
- good books to start with include
1. understanding exposure by bryan peterson
2. HWM megaguide: digital photography
3. 100 ways to take better landscape photographs
- still not sure, go to riceball photography and ask the boss for advices (he is from shanghai but speaks excellent english)

 

[Caspere]

Nice sticky! :thumbsup:

 

[zoossh]

i'm maintaining the thread at the newbie subforum to avoid having multiple threads. think it is more appropriate over there as my thread does not have any direct pricing information that requires to be uneditable in the consumer's corner meant for this purpose.

 

[ParkertR]

Wow! Nice sticky zoossh goood job!