Learning the Hard Way
On my previous photography posts about choosing a digital SLR camera and the Nikon D90 I was a true Bangkok camera shopping rookie. I had only been to MBK and the larger and newer, obviously more expensive retail malls. In only a few months I have went from becoming a rookie to almost a professional when it comes to getting the best deals in Bangkok.
Primary Shopping Options
Besides the shops in the major shopping malls such as Central World and Siam Paragon where you can expect to pay full retail prices there are 3 primary options where you can find wholesale prices on brand new camera equipment including the top of the line digital SLR lenses from Nikon and Canon.
The three shopping locations are MBK which I have posted about numerous times. While MBK has a whole tech floor and numerous camera and lens shops, I found the prices to be more expensive than the next two places I will mention. MBK does have one of the better camera shops in Bangkok for gear such as filters and second hand equipment. The shop’s name is photofile and there are 2 locations in MBK, the main store being on the first floor. I will talk about selling SLR camera lenses later in this post.
The 2nd shopping option is an IT mall named Fortune Town. Fortune town is located near the Fortune Hotel near the Ratchada area of Bangkok off of Ratchada road. I have only been to fortune town twice. The first time I was there I bought the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens at a small camera shop for a price which I thought couldn’t be beat as it was lower than the cheapest price I could find on Hong Kong Ebay. It turns out I went to the 3rd shopping option for lenses and found out I was wrong.
The 3rd and best place in Bangkok to buy digital camera lenses, not to mention all electronics including digital SLR camera bodies, computer parts, laptops, cell phones is Pantip Plaza. Pantip Plaza is an IT mall located in Pratunam area of Bangkok. It can be reached by a 10 minute walk from Central World and is an experience to say the least.
Bangkok's 3 Primary Camera & Lens Shopping Options
Pantip Plaza
Pantip Plaza has a bustling hock shop atmosphere that some people like while others hate. It is much like most other shopping areas in Bangkok, the only difference being as you walk in you will have hardcore porn DVDs shoved in your face. As you ascent the 5 floors via escalator you will get more hardcore porn DVDs shoved in your face but if you’re looking for the best prices on Digital SLR and camera lenses this is your place.
I have read a lot and talked to numerous people about Pantip Plaza and heard many mixed reviews. Some claim that stores in Pantip sell tainted products, products with their expensive components replaced and counterfeit products.
While I haven’t experienced any of this, I wouldn’t doubt it. There are some smaller camera shops in Pantip that I wouldn’t fully trust but other shops such as AV Center where I buy all my equipment seems to be 100% trustful.
I mentioned I had bought the lens at Pantip and the appraiser at Photofile scoffed at me and offered me a lowball price. Whether he was just an elitist who wanted to continue to offer absurd prices for stuff you can get for much cheaper elsewhere or he knew what he was talking about I don’t know for sure.
Looking down from the Top Floor of Pantip Plaza
AV Center in Pantip Plaza
Pantip Plaza has numerous specialty camera shops, the best I have found to be AV Center. AV Center is actually 5 or 6 separate stores located throughout Pantip Plaza. Each store has almost identical prices and equipment. Ask one of the AV Center stores for a lens and they don’t have it, they will likely have it on another side.
At least 3 of the 5 AV Center stores are big with equipment on display but I would consider the primary AV center store is in the middle of the 3rd floor and can be viewed from any escalator. There is a nice showcase with all the equipment, multiple employees and some space to move around. The prices are offered pretty much as low as they go.
As with buying anything throughout Asia, always try to get them to knock down the price. With high-end camera equipment at AV center and the already low prices, they will usually knock down the price a couple hundred baht which isn’t much but will add up if you keep buying from them.
Camera Lenses & Gear I Bought at AV Center and was Fully Satisfied
Nikon D700 DSLR Body
Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip for D700
Nikon Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 Lens
Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm Lens
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 HSM
Read about Developing the Right Camera Kit
One of Many AV Centers in Pantip Plaza
Selling your Unwanted Digital SLR Lenses in Bangkok
Photofile at 1st Floor of MBK
As you can tell by my list of lenses, unless you’re made of money, you will be needing to sell lenses as well. You may want something a little better, lighter, more versatile which better suits your needs. As you can probably tell by the list of the lenses I have bought in just the first few months of owning a digital SLR camera, I have had to part with lenses as much as I’ve bought them.
While craigslist.org is not the megasite it is in much of the USA, especially San Francisco, there are people who look at Bangkok craigslist for deals on used equipment. I have learned from experience, since some camera stores are so cheap, don’t expect a quick sale. Whoever responds to your ad will haggle to no end which may not be worth it as meeting them across Bangkok may also be a challenge.
I found 2 camera stores in Bangkok that buy used lenses and Digital SLR bodies but any store that sells second hand equipment may be willing to buy but it is worth it to get estimates from all the places. The primary store is Photofile in MBK. They sell equipment for much more than the stores in the IT malls and it turns out they buy lenses for more as well.
Photofile will offer you top dollar if you have the box, all accessories and a warranty card for your equipment. The second place was a small camera shop in Fortune Town. I asked them to give me an estimate when selling a lens and they offered me 4,000 baht ($120 USD) more than Photofile for the same lens but also offered 2,000 baht ($60 USD) less on another lens. The moral of the story: Get multiple Estimates if you want to get back the most for your used SLR lenses while selling them in Bangkok.
When buying a lens in Bangkok you should note that when you get a cheap price 99% of the time you will NOT get the Nikon 5 year manufacturer warranty. You will likely get the 1 year in-store warranty which I would not have too much confidence in.
Being Cheap
Most people I know want cheap prices. If you have no problem buying retail, spending 25% more when buying camera equipment or anything go to any store in Central World or the Siam Centers. I have priced SLR lenses in Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA and the prices in Bangkok are the cheapest I’ve found for new equipment. If you’re looking for the cheapest prices in Bangkok, possibly in the world, just go to AV Center in Pantip Plaza, test, buy and admire your photography.
Read about Developing the Right Camera Kit
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March 24th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Hi Mike, thanks for this article. I plan to buy Canod 7D tomorrow in Pantip Plaza. I’m now confident with this store. may I inform you also that AV Center’s price is quite high compared to it’s sister store/ same owner just few meters away, near the downward escalator.
The story is,…I asked a nice lady in Av Center for the price of 7D, she told me 60K baht. After 15 mins., I visited the store near the escalator, and I saw again the same lady in AV Center. Now the price she told me was 54K THB. her reason, AV Center has a bigger space and the rent is high.
May 25th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Hello Mike, thanks for this nice article.i want to buy normal lens 1.4 50mm for my nikon d90.After read ur article now i know more about lenses shop.before i know only about pantip.thanks for this.can u tell me where from i buy cheap & good.Have a nice day.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the info. Like to check how much you buy your Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 HSM?
Is it also cheaper for the Non-Nikkor Lens over in AV Center? I only know that Nikkon has their manufacturing plant in Thailand, which explains for the cheap Nikkon. But is it the same for the other brands like Sony, Sigma, Tokina and Tamron?
I am hoping to buy the Sony Nex also.
Do you happen to have the contacts (e-mail) to AV Centre, will be good to ask them for the price list
July 17th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Yes, I forgot how much I got the Sigma for but I know it was cheaper than any online website including Hong Kong Ebay…. Nikon stuff is not cheaper because some of it’s made in Thailand. Most of Nikon’s high end pro lenses are made in Japan anyways.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Hi Dan,
The 7D you bought, is it just the body? kit 1 or kit 2?
September 7th, 2010 at 8:44 am
hi Mike, care to let me know the price of 14-24mm f/2.8 and the 50 f/1.4 that you bought?
Will go to Bangkok this Nov and might wana get it there.
September 7th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Hi Mike, care to tell me how much you paid for the 14-24mm f/2.8? and 50mm f/1.4 as well? I am going to Bangkok this Nov and plan to get it from there. Thanks to your article for suggesting those places.
September 7th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Hi Mike. Care to tell me how much you paid for 14-24mm f/2.8? and 50 f/1.4 as well?
I will be in Bangkok in this Nov.
Thanks
September 25th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Hey,
I’m curious – are only higher end cameras cheaper? I bought the Canon G11 and paid 15000 thb (488 USD). On Amazon.com it goes for 449 USD.
Thanks
September 25th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Amazon.com and Ebay in the US are probably the cheapest places to buy anything in the world if your timing is right.
October 1st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Hello Mike, first congrats for your fantastic photos i follow your on Flickr, I just want to ask you a question, I have a Nikon D40 and i would like to by a 18-200 lens, unfurtunatly i do not have enoguh money, what lens do you thing would be better, Tamrom or sigma, ther less expensive than Nikorr.
Thanks a lot and congratulations again.
Bless you
October 7th, 2010 at 9:27 am
There is nothing wrong w/ either Tamron or Sigma lenses but I have heard their ‘quality control’ isn’t as good as Nikon meaning you could get a lens that your neighbor likes a lot and yours just doesn’t work. I would encourage you to go to a camera store w/ your camera body and test out the lenses as extensively as you can in 15 minutes and test the lens before you make any decisions…
October 11th, 2010 at 2:27 am
The Camera buying guide I am out for a EOS 7D priced at £860 in Bangkok.
How does it work for getting your Tax back at the airport AV center sent me a message saying no vat on the price.
also is the warranty for the kit all the same as say in the UK
Dave
October 12th, 2010 at 3:54 am
AV center does NOT give you the camera manufacturer’s warranty. They give you a 1 year in store warranty. I do not think they ever charge VAT on anything… The booth at the airport looks like a pain, I’ve never did it.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:31 am
I just went to pantip plaza just now enquire about nikon 14-24. A guy in charged told me they have international warranty. I havent bought it yet. Tomorrow will go again to double check.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I wouldn’t trust any warranties in Pantip
November 22nd, 2010 at 6:52 am
How much would I be expecting to pay for a brand new canon 24-70mm 2.8 lens?
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:34 am
hey admin
i’m dasun from Sri Lanka and i’m visiting Bangkok in 26th of this month and i’m planing to buy Canon EOS 550D in Pantip Plaze and i like to know AV Center sells Canon cameras? and is there any good shops to get canon DSLR cameras.
December 30th, 2010 at 5:02 am
I’ve bought my Nikon dSLR at a shop called Zoom Camera, located on B1 floor at Seacon Square. Their prices are quite low. and they often through in some extra stuff (cleaning set, filters) or give discounts on other items when buying. see also http://www.zoomcamera.net.
Note, some of their cameras are Japanese imports, meaning that they user manual is in Japanese but they include a cd with the English version.
January 3rd, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I’m going to BKK next month. I’m looking for a 2nd hand Nikon D50 or D70 body for conversion to Infrared. Would this be available in Pantip Plaza? Thanks!
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:17 pm
To my knowledge there are no places selling 2nd hand cameras & lenses @ Pantip. You want to head to Photofile which is on the 1st floor of MBK shopping center. The 2nd hand cameras they list on their website is not a complete list as they have several 2nd hand cameras on display. You may want to give them a call or email them. Here is their website: http://www.fotofile.net/index.php?lang=en
I know of one other store that sells 2nd hand cameras but I don’t remember the name. It is on the 2nd floor of Fortune Town shopping center. Good luck.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Thank you!
January 5th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Yes Pantip is good place to buy camera equipment BUT many of the cameras there are GREY Market.
…this means that some company or person bought a some large quantity such as a container, then sell them at their shops.
These products are NOT authorized by the manufacturer and the manufacturer (International or local) will not honor the product warranty.
If the product is faulty, the customer must return to the shop where he bought the product to get it replaced/repaired.
So be careful, think about the problems of repair prior to purchase.
Good luck!
January 10th, 2011 at 1:54 am
Hi.
Thanks for the info on fotofile, I am travelling to Bangkok on 22nd Jan & then to Chiangmai & back again to Petchburi, I will be staying in bangkok for day before leaving to chiangmai, can anyone tell or refer a shop where i can hire tripod & telephoto lens of 500mm for nikon mount. Or is there any shop where i can find best deals on used nikon telephoto lenses .
Thanks in advance
January 10th, 2011 at 3:42 am
Hello Saandip,
I don’t think there is a place where you can hire (rent?) telephoto lenses of that size. You should call Niks Thailand and ask them because they are an official dealer: http://www.niksthailand.co.th/
January 15th, 2011 at 6:36 am
Hi
As far as i know, the cheapest camera shop in bangkok is PIX-ONE. You can check and compare the price in their website http://www.pix-one.com.
January 18th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Denny .. thanks for the limk!
Does anyone know of any other Thai on-line camera stores?
January 25th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Hi Mike,
just wondering how much did u pay for the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens in baht??
February 5th, 2011 at 2:06 am
I don’t remember but I think it was 10,000 baht
February 12th, 2011 at 6:45 am
G’day Mike.
Thanks for this post mate. I did a research on the net regarding shopping for slr lenses on the net prior to me flying to bkk to visit my gf. I found this post so useful that i’ve decided to print it out and take it with me to thailand when i went there towards the end of Jan. I ended going to Pantip by the way, as per your advise and I did go to AV centre. I was haggling to get the price really down at that shop but unfortunately, when they checked their stock level, they ran out of stock (Nikon 18-200mm VRII). I ended up buying my lenses at a shop called Digital City. I bought the nikon 18-200mm VRII, nikon 35mmf2D, nikon 10-24mm, nikon EL15 and nikon MB-D11. I find shopping in bkk so cheap (really cheap compared to singapore). If I bought all these in australia, I would have paid easily $AU500 to $AU700 more. So thanks for your advise. I remember my nikon dx 18-200mmVRII is $AU600 and in the shops here it would cost me between $659 to $850
The only thing I can share here is this, I have checked all the warranty of these items and they do have a 1yr return to shop policy but the expensive lenses have international warranty on them. The thing is, i bought the lenses and tried them straight away the following day by visiting shrines around bkk. i made sure they get good use. I have had no issues so far (knock on wood) and if there would be any issues, then i would not mind going back to bkk as there are so many places to photograph there and that alone would be an awesome excuse (and me seeing my American gf there is a damn good excuse by any means too). Anyways, my purchase was a matter of buying it new and also biting the bullet because Second hand lenses on AU ebay are still so expensive and would not have the same warranty as offered on those items i bought.
My personal verdict is this: I’ll go back and shop again at Pantip and haggle whilst avoiding tourists who go there and loudly say “OMG, that is cheap” (which I have encountered there more than often coming from americans : ) – it does make haggling a bit more difficult really!…… cheers mate.
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:35 pm
I saved 30% on a Canon 430II external flash at AV Center. Photofile wanted 12,500 THB at the time. AV Center took 8000THB cash. Brand new, with paperwork and works a charm.
March 4th, 2011 at 3:16 am
Make your DSLR related purchases in shops that offer th Canon Marketing Thailand warranty (1 year) + 1 year international warranty by Canon Japan. Pantip is ko for computers/laptops CD ROM and sub 10000 THB cameras. When you are out looiking for a 7D go to a shop like world camera at Siam Paragon, Photofile at MBK or a couple of big authorised dealers in Central Plaza (Rama III). or http://www.digital2home.com.
Most shops in Pantip offer white warranty cards which are useless and you could possibly be paying for a refurb piece of equipment, the Canon warranty card here in Bangkok is green and white.
There is an excellent camera shop near MRT Pahon Yothin (towards Union Mall Side). The equipment there is top gear nd the prices are very very good (legit goods).
If you are a Nikon shooter do check out NIKS Thailand…its not cheap but they have a wide assortment of Nikon products (I saw one shop in Paho Yothin and 1 near SalaDaeng-Patpong).
PIX-ONE is not bad. I bought my camera bag opposite PIx-ONe.
Siam Paragon has a couple of gpood camera outlets on the 3rd floor. Also look for pohotohut group shops in Bangkok…they are a big chain and stock lots of stuff.
I bought 2 Canon 105 IXUS / IXY camera (retails at 5999THB) at Pantip for 5000 THB each with shop warranty. BUt my 450D and lens/filters were from photofile, zoom camera, world camera etc.
Also if you are in Thailand for the electronics expo (June and November) you could expect to pay 10 percent lower on the retail prices + lots of freebies. The fair is called COMMART …it also offers LCD/LED TVs laptops etc much much cheaper than regular prices.
Thanks for letting me post
April 23rd, 2011 at 2:10 am
Hi, i would like to know if you have good adress of shop selling USED cameras ?
I will be in bangkok in 7 days and i ‘d like to buy a Nikon FM2n
thanks!
Fab
May 18th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Sorry the late response… you want to check photofile in MBK shopping center. http://www.fotofile.net/
September 1st, 2011 at 3:28 am
HiMike
I have a question i’ve rcently took up photography and i bought a Canon 550 D starter pack which includes a 18-55mm lenes, 50mm lense and a 70-250 lense. I’d like to purchase a bigger lense to go with what i have, where can i buy and what should i buy once i’m in Bangkok?
Thanks for your posting helped alot,
November 8th, 2011 at 1:57 am
Your comments were excellent and really useful. I damagedmy Canon G9 in the Bangkok floods yesterday – completely ruined sadly. ButI went along to the A V Centre and Korakit, the sales assistant was very helpful and I got 90 pounds sterling off the British list price. Thanks to you!!
Gerry
November 16th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Hello ! Thank you for allthe info you give away here !!!!
Do some one have any idea where i can buy a used Nikon D3s ? And whats the price for a used one ? A new one is 150000 baht and i would like to spend less
January 31st, 2012 at 5:25 am
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