Buying Nikon

[Olivero]

I am just about to buy a whole bunch of camera stuff (D700 with lots of glass) and was wondering if there are any good recomendations of shops that gave good service. I bought my D300 from a camera shop in Bristol and they were less than useless when a lens broke after 6 months. So time to try somewhere new and better. Calumet in NYC has been very good so am tempted to use their London branch.
Was also thinking it might be much cheaper buying outside of the UK?

[Scooby_snax]

Grays of Westminster are renowned Nikon specialists so if by service you mean advice they are probably your best bet

[ian in lancs]

Scooby_snax said:

Grays of Westminster are renowned Nikon specialists so if by service you mean advice they are probably your best bet

plus eye wateringly expensive

[Cheeky Jim]

Is that reassuringly, eye-wateringly expensive?

[Simpo Two]

I have dealt with Grays once - the camera equivalent of a Bentley dealership. Very polite and professional but you do pay for it. I also asked them for a small favour and they declined, so I'm not disposed to put them forwards.

Working on the theory that a Nikon DSLR is not quite a Bentley, I'd steer you to www.warehouseexpress.co.uk. I had to return a myopic D200 once and they were fine about it.

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 28th December 10:55

[VxDuncan]

Olivero said:

I am just about to buy a whole bunch of camera stuff (D700 with lots of glass) and was wondering if there are any good recomendations of shops that gave good service. I bought my D300 from a camera shop in Bristol and they were less than useless when a lens broke after 6 months. So time to try somewhere new and better. Calumet in NYC has been very good so am tempted to use their London branch.
Was also thinking it might be much cheaper buying outside of the UK?

If you still own the D300 and D700 then you may be eligible for Nikons pro service which should make things easier. Have to say, was browsing Jessops site last night, and there's some damn cheap stuff there (and a lot of stuff that's hardly discounted at all).

[Scooby_snax]

Or you could try Fixation who are more noted for repairs and renting out equipment but also sell Nikon gear

[...Mole...]

Selling the D300?

[Olivero]

Scooby_snax said:

Grays of Westminster

Last time I went in they were a bit.. 'grumpy'
And yes, eye wateringly expensive.

Simpo Two said:

good things about - www.warehouseexpress.co.uk.

One to look up.

VxDuncan said:

may be eligible for Nikons pro service which should make things easier.

Ah, ok. I shall have a look.

Scooby_snax said:

you could try Fixation

Ditto, will have a look.

...Mole... said:

Selling the D300?

Yes, with a 24-120mm VR and 50mm lens. Drop me an email with your best offer.

[Simpo Two]

Olivero said:

VxDuncan said:

may be eligible for Nikons pro service which should make things easier.

Ah, ok. I shall have a look.

Nikon have two schemes. 'Nikon Professional User' (NPU) is the lower and all you need is one camera body of D200 level or above. It gives you a glossy magazine each quarter. 'Nikon Professional Services' (NPS) is the higher one and you'll need two D200+ bodies, a number of 'pro' lenses, and proof that you make your living from photography. The list of requirements is at www.parkcameras.com/Article/95/Nikon-Professional-...

NPS gives you the same glossy magazine each quarter and also a priority repair service, but I haven't tried it yet.

[J111]

ian in lancs said:

Scooby_snax said:

Grays of Westminster are renowned Nikon specialists so if by service you mean advice they are probably your best bet

plus eye wateringly expensive

£12 more than Warehouse Express for a D700 body, fwiw.

The prices are high on the website, but if you want to put negotiate a deal on body/ies and glass, try Harrisons

I wouldn't buy anything from Jessops I couldn't walk away from the shop with.