Best place to buy photographic equipment in the uk?

[Haydn1971]

Has anyone used "Simply Electronics" ? I've only noticed them recently, but they appear the cheapest in the UK - is there a catch

[Freshprince08]

Has anyone used "Simply Electronics" ? I've only noticed them recently, but they appear the cheapest in the UK - is there a catch

They claim to be UK based - but I've had equipment delivered that's clearly from Hong Kong (Sigma 50mm f1.4 if I remember correctly). No problem with them otherwise, delivery was a tad slow and the website is a bit misleading but competitive prices.

I've used Digital Rev before as well - they are openly HK based.

Just placed an order with procamerashop.co.uk - great communication so far, expecting my delivery tomorrow.

Good luck!

[dilbert]

In the last 24 hours, I've read reports of people walking out of Jessops with large boxes of expensive digital camera equipment. I imagine that if you could find the people that have those boxes, you can get a pretty good bargain :-)

[Redreflex]

In the last 24 hours, I've read reports of people walking out of Jessops with large boxes of expensive digital camera equipment. I imagine that if you could find the people that have those boxes, you can get a pretty good bargain :-)

nothing like buying from scums to fuel more looting

[bobshut]

Simply Electronics are an awful company. the worst I haver dealt with.

Around Feb this year I ordered a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with a 7 day delivery promise (in stock item). 10 days later I was informed that they out of stock and couldn't give me a delivery date, so I cancelled the order.

It took 13 weeks  to get the money refunded to my credit card and only then when Barclaycard got involved.

Needless to say I'll never deal with them again.

The only reason I bought from Simply Electronics was because Onestop Digital had no stock of this lens.

I've bought over a dozen Lenses from Onestop Digital and their service has been always been excellent.

Whenever I've had a bill from HMRC for duty Onestop Digital has honered their agreement to cover the cost, also the warranty is recognised by canon UK.

[Kernuak]

I've used Simply Electronics in the past. Very slow delivery (which wasn't a problem at that particular time), nothing like what was advertised. I didn't have any problems, but a work colleague who actually wanted his order quickly had real problems getting a refund when he was told it was out of stock (despite the website suggesting it was in stock). The communication I had made it obvious they weren't UK based, despite stating they are. Since then, I have been wary and to be honest, they are no longer as cheap as they were in comparison.

[dilbert]

In the last 24 hours, I've read reports of people walking out of Jessops with large boxes of expensive digital camera equipment. I imagine that if you could find the people that have those boxes, you can get a pretty good bargain :-)

nothing like buying from scums to fuel more looting

Well, it could be worse - someone without a sense of humour could be replying to a post I made on the internet.

[iaind]

Dont fancy buying any of the "liberated" Jessops stock. Pc Plod will sooner or later turn up on your door with his "key".
Use camerapricebuster as a guide.
Calumet occasionally have access to B grade stock which can be a considerable saving on new

[K3nt]

I used a small company in the UK called www.hdewcameras.co.uk . Excellent service and I got my 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Mk II for 700GBP less than here in Finland.
There was some problems using an overseas credit card with their SagePay-system, but once all interesting paperwork was sorted, they managed to manually debit the card and all was well.

[Stu_bert]

Has anyone used "Simply Electronics" ? I've only noticed them recently, but they appear the cheapest in the UK - is there a catch

They claim to be UK based - but I've had equipment delivered that's clearly from Hong Kong (Sigma 50mm f1.4 if I remember correctly). No problem with them otherwise, delivery was a tad slow and the website is a bit misleading but competitive prices.

I've used Digital Rev before as well - they are openly HK based.

Just placed an order with procamerashop.co.uk - great communication so far, expecting my delivery tomorrow.

Good luck!

Concur with Freshprince08, I've used Simply without any major issues, stock arrived without problems. Sales can be a bit slow, and not as clued up. Have also used procamerashop and the 3% discount. They seem to slightly undercut Simply.

[Jona100]

Hdew are great, prices are unbeatable £1425 for a 5d2, £655 for a 24-105. Hong kong imports with duty paid, but you can visit them at their Surrey office and pick up in person before you have paid.

I highly recommend them.

[K3nt]

Hdew are great, prices are unbeatable £1425 for a 5d2, £655 for a 24-105. Hong kong imports with duty paid, but you can visit them at their Surrey office and pick up in person before you have paid.

I highly recommend them.

They offered me this option as well, which was the dealmaker for me. I could've had a friend of mine that lives nearby picking the lens up. I just had him swing by and check the place out. Then I decided it was ok to part with my money. I will shop there again, I have worked up quite the shopping list. 

[wockawocka]

DO NOT USE SIMPLY ELECTRONICS

Best place for price in the UK that I know is www.procamerashop.co.uk
Then it's HDEW cameras.

For anything other than cameras and lenses then Dale Photographic or Warehouse Express.

[bycostello]

best for knowledge and service; calumet
best for price, warehouseexpress on the interent

[moreorless]

For used equipment MPB is the best I'v found, good prices, good selection of Canon lenses that easy to search and I'v had no problem with any order, had one lens turn up with a free pounch that wasnt even advertised.