 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| PhotoKB HomeDiscussion Groups Digital Photography Digital PhotoDSLR CamerasZLR CamerasPoint & Shoot CamerasFilm Photography 35 mmLarge FormatMedium formatDarkroomFilm and LabsOther EquipmentPhoto Technique Nature PhotographyPeople PhotographyTechnique GeneralGeneral Photo Topics General TopicsAustralian PhotographyUK PhotographyDirectoryPhoto Clubs |
Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / Australian Photography / November 2006Anyone know what the story is with CCC Camera House (George St Sydney)
I had a most disturbing experience today while on the prowl for a Canon 50mm prime lens. One of the places that I usually check is CCC Camera House in George Street Sydney. My experience with them is that they're only interested in making the sale, but they know (knew?) their products and are (were?) willing to cut prices to the bone. Other than that they're not much interested in service, but that's the trade off. There are three Canon 50mm primes; an f1.8 which is at the distinctly cheap end of the market, but is not badly regarded in Fred Miranda reviews for all that; an f1.4 USM which is extremely well regarded; and an f1.2L USM which is apparently so new to these shores that there's not even an RRP on the Canon Australia web site yet. (Aside: From other suppliers that I spoke to (none of which had it in stock) this one's likely to be in the $2200 to $2500 range, which pretty much ruled it out for me on that basis alone since I do very little portraiture.) The 1.4 was the "bangs for bucks" contender, in my view. So I did the rounds, including CCC. First difference; the automated answering system referred to "Digital House" rather than "CCC Camera House". OK, so maybe it's just a change of name, I thought. Second difference; it took them over 5 minutes to answer the call, maybe even closer to 10, whereas previously I'd never encountered a delay of more than 1 or 2 minutes. (Refer to their primary interest above.) Third difference, the guy I spoke to didn't seem to have an overwhelming command of English, but we eventually reached an understanding that I was in the market for a 50mm prime. He was adamant, however, that there was no f1.2L, that such a thing did not exist, whereas previous CCC types that I've spoken to could probably recite the entire product range of Canon and Nikon and others (and the profit to be made on each) from memory. Fourth and most disturbing difference, the first question that I'm usually asked at CCC is "what's the best price you've had so far" followed by an offer to at least match and usually undercut it. This guy, however, just quoted RRP on the f1.4. Ooooh-kay. Fifth difference, the Whte Pages still lists the store as CCC Camera House but the link to the web site (http://www.ccccamerahouse.com.au/) no longer works. I ended up buying at Foto Riesel Camera House in Kent St (who are my favourites anyway), but I'd still hate to see CCC morph into another (probably short-lived) "recommended retail" box shipper since they COULD do you a good deal. Anyone know the story and/or lurid gossip behind this? >I had a most disturbing experience today while on the prowl for a > Canon 50mm prime lens. One of the places that I usually check is CCC [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > ruled it out for me on that basis alone since I do very little > portraiture.) The 1.4 was the "bangs for bucks" contender, in my view. Sorry cant help about the shop, but it seems not even B&H have the 1.2 yet. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=4 57680&is=USA&addedTroughType=search digital city have it listed. http://www.digitalcity.net.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2748 My 50mm f1.8MKII rolled off the bench and smashed a few weeks ago. I havnt replaced it as Im waiting to see what my next camera is. If I get a 1.6 crop camera, I'll buy the f1.4 If I buy a FF camera, Ill get an 80mm I think. I love the 50mm on a 1.6 crop camera, it makes for a great unobtrusive port. lens, and its so light to travel with....and even the 1.8 is sharp as a tack. http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/ > So I did the rounds, including CCC. First difference; the automated > answering system referred to "Digital House" rather than "CCC Camera [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Anyone know the story and/or lurid gossip behind this? >> One of the places that I usually check is CCC >> Camera House in George Street Sydney. My experience with them is that [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Sorry cant help about the shop, This is what has now appeared on the web link: "Due to our decision to resign from the Camera House group and change our name to Digital House Australia, we have moved our website to http://www.digitalhouse.net.au. Our change in name & strategy allows us to maintain our level of professionalism & service as Sydney's leading photographic specialist retailer, while offering a greater range of products & solutions to meet your expanding needs." It'll be interesting to see what their "change of strategy" is in light of the experience that I described in my earlier post. > but it seems not even B&H have the 1.2 yet. >http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=4 57680&is=USA&addedTroughType=search Interesting. The suggested price in USD pretty much confirms it as being north of $2K when it arrives here. >My 50mm f1.8MKII rolled off the bench and smashed a few weeks ago. Ah, my sympathies. Although the 1.8 is cheap enough for you to be able to afford to do that. 8^> (Maybe I've just become conditioned to multi-hundred dollar price tags, though. 8^> ) > I havnt >replaced it as Im waiting to see what my next camera is. >If I get a 1.6 crop camera, I'll buy the f1.4 If I buy a FF camera, Ill get >an 80mm I think. Good thinking. Short of a Powerball win I can't see myself being able to justify the cost of a 5D in the near future, though, so I think I''m pretty safe with this one for a while. I wanted to try it out in some outdoor settings today but it's gloomy, overcast and showery. Come to think of it, the same thing happened after I bought my 24-105. I may just have hit upon a way to break the drought; go buy myself a new lens and plan an outdoor shooting session. 8^> > My 50mm f1.8MKII rolled off the bench and smashed a few weeks ago. I > havnt replaced it as Im waiting to see what my next camera is. Still got the bits? Where are you?  SignaturePaul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd., +61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda. West Australia 6076 comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked. EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be. >> My 50mm f1.8MKII rolled off the bench and smashed a few weeks ago. I >> havnt replaced it as Im waiting to see what my next camera is. > > Still got the bits? Where are you? I do, Sydney. I don't think anything is actually broken, just separated. >>> My 50mm f1.8MKII rolled off the bench and smashed a few weeks ago. I >>> havnt replaced it as Im waiting to see what my next camera is. >> Still got the bits? Where are you? > I do, Sydney. > I don't think anything is actually broken, just separated. :) Pity it is so far... I could use a good PC and diaphram unit to stick in the one I have. Trouble with a 50 f1.8 is it costs as much as a new lens to get them looked at, let alone fixed!. SignaturePaul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd., +61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda. West Australia 6076 comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked. EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be. > There are three Canon 50mm primes; an f1.8 which is at the distinctly > cheap end of the market, but is not badly regarded in Fred Miranda > reviews for all that; an f1.4 USM which is extremely well regarded; > and an f1.2L USM which is apparently so new to these shores that > there's not even an RRP on the Canon Australia web site yet. (Aside: You're not aware of the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 macro? (Don't let the last bit fool you. It's a super sharp "standard" lens too.) > > There are three Canon 50mm primes; an f1.8 which is at the distinctly > > cheap end of the market, but is not badly regarded in Fred Miranda [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > You're not aware of the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 macro? (Don't let the last > bit fool you. It's a super sharp "standard" lens too.) But he's obviously after something faster. And whilst I own a 50mm macro, I hardly ever use it any more, I far prefer a longer macro like the 100mm f2.8 for most uses. (copy stand excepted) MrT. >> > There are three Canon 50mm primes; >> You're not aware of the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 macro? (Don't let the last >> bit fool you. It's a super sharp "standard" lens too.) > >But he's obviously after something faster. Yup, that's it exactly. > Anyone know the story and/or lurid gossip behind this? Nope. But a month ago when I was looking to order a ls9000, I called and emailed them and quite a few other "dealers". Of about a dozen, I got one (1!!!) reply. One would think a reasonably expensive item like that would get a take from any dealer with a minimal amount of brains. Nope. That dealer who replied is an internet shop: they got the order, of course. And the others can go and get stuffed, quite frankly: too many useless businesses wasting way too much space, at the moment... Riesel is nice, though: I put a lot of business through them when they take the time to listen to me when I visit. Instead of trying to flog me gear I don't need. >>Anyone know the story and/or lurid gossip behind this? > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > to me when I visit. Instead of trying to flog me > gear I don't need. In my mind... as a business, once you put a presence on-line, you are as obligated to quickly reply to e-mails just like any phone call. Ignoring it is as bad as not answering a phone..... not replying at all is unacceptable as it is in writing. too many people think they MUST have a site (fair call) but are not prepared to follow through with it's customer service. of interest, did you e-mail michaels in Melbourne.... they are usually pretty good at dealing with e-mails... across a couple of days, but they answer them none the less. I would be interested to know if their "re-organise' has let them slip somewhat! kosh > too many people think they MUST have a site (fair call) but are not > prepared to follow through with it's customer service. Bingo! > of interest, did you e-mail michaels in Melbourne.... they are usually > pretty good at dealing with e-mails... across a couple of days, but they > answer them none the less. I would be interested to know if their > "re-organise' has let them slip somewhat! Nope. I stayed within Sydney and those who have an agent or representation in NSW. The only one who replied was from Vic, but they have a retail presence also here so I don't have to bother with inter-state deliveries and such. > Nope. But a month ago when I was looking to order a ls9000, I called > and emailed them and quite a few other "dealers". Of about a dozen, > I got one (1!!!) reply. One would think a reasonably expensive item > like that would get a take from any dealer with a minimal amount of > brains. Nope. ls9000 is nikon? You may have been hit by the maxwells implosion. SignaturePaul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd., +61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda. West Australia 6076 comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked. EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be. > ls9000 is nikon? You may have been hit by the maxwells implosion. yeah, but NikAus is supposed to be now operational. And still nothing... Not a single reply from any of the other dealers. It's as if Nikon never did business in Australia. Which to a certain extent is true given Maxwell's abysmal performance with stock control: they just did no ordering of anything for well over a year, just stock depletion. >>ls9000 is nikon? You may have been hit by the maxwells implosion. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > they just did no ordering of anything for well over a year, > just stock depletion. Whats the story Maxwell and Nikon - still operating out of the same address?? How does this make Nikon independent of Maxwells or is it the same old story? > Whats the story Maxwell and Nikon - still operating out of the same > address?? > > How does this make Nikon independent of Maxwells or is it the same old > story? Dunno. Seems that Nikon took the premises where Maxwells was and some of their employees. But since Maxwells hasn't moved anywhere, I'd say it's the same old story. Sometimes I wonder if Nikon is after a kick up their pants or what... >> Whats the story Maxwell and Nikon - still operating out of the same >>address?? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Sometimes I wonder if Nikon is after a kick up their > pants or what... actaully, my informations suggests Nikon Aus. are waiting on their fist shopment... due to arrive this week or next. getting the contents of this shipment..... I was provided with info by a happy mushroom..... blissfully unaware and not a care in the world. kosh > actaully, my informations suggests Nikon Aus. are waiting on their fist > shopment... due to arrive this week or next. Hallelujah! > getting the contents of this shipment..... I was provided with info by a > happy mushroom..... blissfully unaware and not a care in the world. Hmmmmm: kept in the dark and fed bulls**t? :-) >> ls9000 is nikon? You may have been hit by the maxwells implosion. > yeah, but NikAus is supposed to be now operational. And still > nothing... Not a single reply from any of the other dealers. It's > as if Nikon never did business in Australia. Which to a certain > extent is true given Maxwell's abysmal performance with stock > control: they just did no ordering of anything for well over a year, > just stock depletion. I was talking to a Nikon shooter, does birds, feathered kind! He mentioned he could not get a 300mm Nikon lens, and I assumed he meant a 300 2.8. No, he meant he could not get a 300 fanything Nikon! SignaturePaul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd., +61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda. West Australia 6076 comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked. EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be. >>>ls9000 is nikon? You may have been hit by the maxwells implosion. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > mentioned he could not get a 300mm Nikon lens, and I assumed he meant > a 300 2.8. No, he meant he could not get a 300 fanything Nikon! I had the el-cheapo 75-300 on order with Maxwells for 3 - 4 months!!!! I suspect this was due to recent developments which were probably being negotiated at the time.... I know I would not have been buying up stock if I was about to lose the agency. kosh > > I was talking to a Nikon shooter, does birds, feathered kind! He > > mentioned he could not get a 300mm Nikon lens, and I assumed he meant [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > negotiated at the time.... I know I would not have been buying up stock > if I was about to lose the agency. Not so sure about that. It's been like this for well over a year: Last year I ordered an eyepiece correction lens and a rubber eyecup for my F4. It took 4 and a half months to show up. And the "F4 is not made anymore" arrgument is bull: it's the same hardware for the F3HP, F4, F5 and F6 as well as most of the Dxs. At LEAST this sort of small item SHOULD be in stock! As for the Mamiya RB strap, I'm still waiting for it. More than 12 months now. Another brand that is getting a bad supply image due to this pathetic agent. Buy from overseas in the UK or US there are plenty of dealers with decent s/h kit that would be happy to sell them to you. I can send a few UK links if you need them. It's the same when a distributor is involved handling the kit rather than the brand marque themselves. It's a money thing having to keep so much in stock and not having enough orders waiting to make a shipment economical! Duncan >> > I was talking to a Nikon shooter, does birds, feathered kind! He >> > mentioned he could not get a 300mm Nikon lens, and I assumed he meant [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > months now. Another brand that is getting a bad supply image > due to this pathetic agent. > Buy from overseas in the UK or US there are plenty of dealers with decent > s/h kit that would be happy to sell them to you. > > I can send a few UK links if you need them. I know quite a few. And there is a danger with those as well: I'm now trying to get Keh to send me the correct item from an order they have totally mishandled. It's not easy even getting them to acknowledge there is a problem, believe me! > It's the same when a distributor is involved handling the kit rather than > the brand marque themselves. It's a money thing having to keep so much in > stock and not having enough orders waiting to make a shipment economical! I don't think it's got anything to do with that. I'm talking BASIC, SMALL items. Not major stock items. If a distributor has no room in their inventory or is just so cash-strapped they can't keep in stock such minor goods as straps, lens caps, lens hoods, body caps, eyecups, eyepiece correction lenses and other such basic small pieces, then IMHO they should stop calling themselves distributors and just get out of the business, period! Maybe that will make room for someone with enough brains and nous to set up a proper supply shop. Maxwells was a great place back in the 80s: I used their services many, many times. Their service centre in Pyrmont was second to none, IMO. Somehow somewhere, it all went pear shaped. Don't know the reasons and quite frankly, I couldn't care less. As the photo market is, the prevalent concept in Australia that a "distributor" or "agent" must be in place and will be the only one doing import business is quite frankly hurting more the respective brands than providing a solution to the retail market. Kudos to Canon for realising that was the case years ago and setting up their own independent branch here! <snip> > As for the Mamiya RB strap, I'm still waiting for it. More than 12 > months now. Another brand that is getting a bad supply image > due to this pathetic agent. actually... keep waiting! In all of the shake-up, there have been several brands that have 'fallen off' the list.... I have not heard any announcements regarding mamiya at all! Maxwells have not listed it int heir brands..... obviously Nikon will not be stocking them.... and I have heard nothing from other agents. I woul dnot be surprised if this is the end for Bronica and Mamiya in Aus. It seems to me a potential importer would look at the cost of the equipment and the shrinking market... > Maxwells have not listed it int heir brands..... obviously Nikon will > not be stocking them.... and I have heard nothing from other agents. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > It seems to me a potential importer would look at the cost of the > equipment and the shrinking market... Well, that's good in a way. The ZD is expensive enough without needing a "distributor margin" on top of it! :-) Bronica is gone now, kaput as a company. Mamiya has survived somehow by someone picking the remains of the ZD. Don't know about the film side, though. Still, I do know that pros are still using them and are planning to upgrade to digital backs. That is the whole idea of these system cameras: you buy into the system and you keep upgrading it as needed. Phase One and others make dig backs for the rb series that are nothing short of spectacular. Overseas - namely the UK - I do know for a fact that pros stopped selling their rbs and started to rent dig backs instead: a much cheaper solution than throwing away all their gear which is what was happening until last year. I've been following the ebay market for mamiya for quite a while now: until last year, you could get their film gear at any price and there was plenty available. Now? rb stuff is hard to find and is not a bargain anymore. There is a reason for that and it's not collectors... Seems that Nikon are sharing the premises with Maxwell till they organise there own. They now have plenty of stock available. > Seems that Nikon are sharing the premises with Maxwell till they > organise there own. > > They now have plenty of stock available. Hmmm, still waiting.... |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.