Reading mode: Light Dark

Vancouver

Go to last post
Som Prasad

Som Prasad

Leading Member
Messages
697
Reaction score
295
Location
Kolkata, IN
I'll be in Vancouver next week, and thought that I would take the opportunity to buy some kit, possibly a SB-800 flash, and maybe a 17-55DX lens.

Two queries

1. Where to shop (not online as I will be travelling and wouldn't want to miss deliveries etc)
2. Are prices similar to US prices (UK prices are much higher than US prices)

Also, any must do photo ops :-)

Thanks

Som
--
Som Prasad
WSSA member #65
 
I believe Canadian prices are lower than UK prices, but still higher than US.

Some recommendations:
  • Burnaby Park (overlooks city) at sunset, spectacular views of the city
  • Drive up to Whistler if you have time - it's a day trip, but the vistas along the way and views from atop the mountain are more than worth it
  • Granville Island - good opportunities for street photography, riverfront/harborfront views
  • Stanley Park, can't avoid it
--
http://www.sportsphotoguy.com
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=575
 
... I would like to thank you for coming overhere and helping to pay down our national debt with the PST (sales tax) and GST (value-added tax) you will be paying on your purchases.
 
Add one item to your list, The Grouse Mtn Skyride. This gondola takes you to the top of Grouse Mtn and gives an excellent view of Vancouver.

Remember most Nikon gear purchased in Canada has a 2 year warranty.

Try Kerrisdale Camera or Lens and Shutter, among many in Vancouver.

Check with the Vancouver Tourist Bureau, you may be able to get a refund on some of the taxes.

Enjoy the city!

Steve.

Some Vancouver pictures here to help decide.
http://www.pbase.com/martinbunting/vancouver
 
Hi,

For equipment purchases, also check out Beau Photo and Broadway Camera.

You should be able to claim some of the taxes back if you take the equipment out of the country. I'm not sure how to go about it, but visitors who come here do it all the time; like the UK's tax free shopping for visitors.

You can negotiate with all the stores listed here with respect to pricing. As well, the camera stores listed thus far in this thread have decent reputations: some more likely than others to negotiate on price. If I may suggest contacting the stores before your arrival to determine what they will sell the items to you for and if they have them in stock. This will save you wandering around the city looking for the best price (if price is a concern to you). I wouldn't hesitate to purchase equipment from any of the shops listed here to this point.

I hope you enjoy Vancouver, we are known in the rest of Canada to be living in "lotus land" :-)

best wishes,
Londongal
 
Thanks guys,

I appreciate the advice, and I am sure I will enjoy the trip, whether or not I get the shopping done, I'll definetly get some nice pics.

Is a 180 2.8 going to be good for whale watching & 0r bears (we're heading into the Rockies after Vancouver), or the 80-400 VR, much more reach, but as a friend who was looking at some bird photos I took in Brazil earlier this year said "terrible bokeh"

Best Wishes and thanks for all the advice

Som

--
Som Prasad
WSSA member #65
 
Yes, you shouldn't miss the Rockies. You will see beautiful scenery of lakes, forests, icefields. Make sure you visit Columbia Icefield. Take a look of this site

http://www.columbiaicefield.com/

Take sufficient storage for you photos.

--
WY
 
Horseshoe Bay is a nice place for photography. It's a half-hour drive northwest of downtown Vancouver.
 
Londongal said:
Hi,

For equipment purchases, also check out Beau Photo and Broadway
Camera.
Click to expand...
They have ridiculously high prices, their stores are allways empty of customers. I'm forced to buy all my equipment from Calgary or from the States.
Londongal said:
You should be able to claim some of the taxes back if you take the
equipment out of the country. I'm not sure how to go about it, but
visitors who come here do it all the time; like the UK's tax free
shopping for visitors.
Click to expand...
The form is available at most tourist info pamphlet stands, in hotels, museums, customs entry points.
Londongal said:
You can negotiate with all the stores listed here with respect to
pricing. As well, the camera stores listed thus far in this thread
have decent reputations: some more likely than others to negotiate
on price. If I may suggest contacting the stores before your
arrival to determine what they will sell the items to you for and
if they have them in stock. This will save you wandering around the
city looking for the best price (if price is a concern to you). I
wouldn't hesitate to purchase equipment from any of the shops
listed here to this point.
Click to expand...
That's if you have money to throw away.
Londongal said:
I hope you enjoy Vancouver, we are known in the rest of Canada to
be living in "lava land" :-)
Click to expand...
Vancouver is also known as being the most boring big city in Canada.
Londongal said:
best wishes,
Londongal
Click to expand...
 
emax said:
Horseshoe Bay is a nice place for photography. It's a half-hour
drive northwest of downtown Vancouver.
Click to expand...
Just don't breathe the air. The manure stinch is heavy and everywhere.
It will hit you as you enter by car from the States.
 
F3Titan said:
Londongal said:
Hi,

For equipment purchases, also check out Beau Photo and Broadway
Camera.
Click to expand...
They have ridiculously high prices, their stores are allways empty
of customers. I'm forced to buy all my equipment from Calgary or
from the States.
Click to expand...
F3Titan

If you're willing to share, I would love to know where in Calgary you purchase your equipment as I'm looking to buy another few items. I've always done well by negotiating at shops in the city.

Londongal
 
Horseshoe bay doesn't have any farms. All it smells like is ocean and boats.

When you are here, lighthouse park in North Vancouver is beautiful. It is a short hike down to the ocean.

Amber
 
Londongal said:
If you're willing to share, I would love to know where in Calgary
you purchase your equipment as I'm looking to buy another few
items. I've always done well by negotiating at shops in the city.

Londongal
Click to expand...
Glad to help if I can. Check:

http://www.vistek.ca/

I bought two G5's from them, excellent overall service. Michael Reichmann of

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/new/index.shtml

recomends them too!!! Free shipping on purchases over $500 I think, iff you order on the web. They have stores in Calgary and Toronto.

And for even better prices check:

http://www.thecamerastore.com/Default.aspx

I just bought my D2x from them. Also high marks for service. (you save 7% in taxes which is significant for high tag items) Shipping is CND$10 if you order on their web site not onthe phone.

KT
 
AmberSimpkins said:
Horseshoe bay doesn't have any farms. All it smells like is ocean
and boats.

When you are here, lighthouse park in North Vancouver is beautiful.
It is a short hike down to the ocean.

Amber
Click to expand...
I don't mean to talk bad about this country, but the reality is outhere. By the nature of my work I cross the border on a weeekly basis and spend a lot of time in BC-Canada. Everytime I enter I'm forced to remember my first thought when I did it for the first time: "God, this country smells like horse-sh@@t!". Regardless where you enter, Peace Arch or the truckers entrance, the overwhelming smell is everywhere and especially heavy in the summer. It is nauseating and unbearable. I always close the windows and shut down ventilation until I get into the city. Say that I'm wrong.

KT
 
F3Titan said:
I don't mean to talk bad about this country, but the reality is
outhere. By the nature of my work I cross the border on a weeekly
basis and spend a lot of time in BC-Canada. Everytime I enter I'm
forced to remember my first thought when I did it for the first
time: "God, this country smells like horse-sh@@t!". Regardless
where you enter, Peace Arch or the truckers entrance, the
overwhelming smell is everywhere and especially heavy in the
summer. It is nauseating and unbearable. I always close the windows
and shut down ventilation until I get into the city. Say that I'm
wrong.
Click to expand...
You're wrong...depending on whether they're fertilizing the fields or not. I drive Hwy 99 almost from the Peace Arch border crossing into Richmond every day.

larsbc
 
Give it a rest... but sorry to burst your bubble. The manure smell near the border drifts up from south of the border...Ferndale & Lynden Washington to name two locations that absolutely wreak from the dairy industry in those towns.

But seriously, Vancouver is 50 Km (sorry...30 miles in old fashioned units) from the border. You'll have a hard time finding a live cow or any manure in Vancouver itself. There is more bull-tweed in this thread than you'll find inside the City or the air. Like L.A., Vancouver has smog when it's hot for any time period but manure?

If you can't get to Calgary to thecamerastore.com or vistek locations then you might try going to Lens and Shutter in Vancouver or North Vancouver. The Lens and Shutter Store in Victoria has been willing to match the on-line prices of these two Calgary stores when I have bargained with them.

-evan

--
D200

I do know how to spell. I'm just a lousy Tipyst!

http://www.pbase.com/eheffa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top