Camera Shops In Kent

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Drpepper99uk

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Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a 24-105 f4L lens but before I consider going any further with it, I would like to try a few other lenses. I live in Kent and there don't appear to be many decent independant camera shops around other than you usual array of Jessops etc which don't always stock a great deal of choice when it comes to lenses speciafically for the Canon brand(Sigma and Tokina seem to be found in abundance)

I would coinsider hiring like I have done so beforehand a lens for a week, however this is fine if your thinking of purchasing a £500+ piece of glass, but not a consumer grade zoom lens for instance as it can work out an expensive process and time consuming in the long run. I've looked in the PhotoPlus magazine and seen lots of shops up North that stock lots of kit(Nolfork camera shop for one) and this is the type of shop I'm looking for local to me as I don't believe in buying blind especially when it comes to lenses for instance as they all differ somewhat and I actually physically want to touch and see what I'm buying rather than just look at images on website and take a chance.

Any thoughts on where might be a good place to look?

Michael.
 
Hi,

Sorry I should have been more specific...I'm looking around the North East Kent area(Swale mainly) although I can always travel if need be. I did see a shop in Maidstone(Pudding lane) but like you said he stocked mainly older SLR items and not the newer stuff which i'm looking for.

Jessops seem to have a strong hold, although I did see a shop called Redbox(Tonbridge area) which stocked lots of items but there prices were a lot higher than identical items being sold elsewhere.

Michael.
 
Rochester Cameras‎ - 87 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1LX‎ - 01634 828 336‎
Malling Photographic‎ - 14/16 Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6LP‎ - 01732 870 474‎

There are a couple in Canterbury too :)

You're right the one in Maidstone isn't ideal for dSLR users, the net seems to have killed off a lot of camera shops :(

MB
 
Drpepper99uk said:
Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a 24-105 f4L lens but before I consider going any further with it, I would like to try a few other lenses. I live in Kent and there don't appear to be many decent independant camera shops around other than you usual array of Jessops etc which don't always stock a great deal of choice when it comes to lenses speciafically for the Canon brand(Sigma and Tokina seem to be found in abundance)

I would coinsider hiring like I have done so beforehand a lens for a week, however this is fine if your thinking of purchasing a £500+ piece of glass, but not a consumer grade zoom lens for instance as it can work out an expensive process and time consuming in the long run. I've looked in the PhotoPlus magazine and seen lots of shops up North that stock lots of kit(Nolfork camera shop for one) and this is the type of shop I'm looking for local to me as I don't believe in buying blind especially when it comes to lenses for instance as they all differ somewhat and I actually physically want to touch and see what I'm buying rather than just look at images on website and take a chance.

Any thoughts on where might be a good place to look?

Michael.
Click to expand...

The one is West Malling is a good one but a bit of a trek from the Swale area and I don't think they have a lot of lens stock. There is one in Sittingbourne in West Street but I don't know how much stock they have either.

Have you looked at www.lensesforhire.co.uk run by one of the chaps on here StewartR.
 
Matblack said:
There are a couple in Canterbury too :)


MB
Click to expand...

Where are they in Canterbury, I know the one which is by Aldi and Blockbusters, Is their another one?

I agree about the one in Maidstone, they have very little 'modern' stock, they didnt even have the 430ex flash when i was in there last!
 
Eltham have a camera shop at the end of the high street opersite sainsburys - never really used them but did have a look once and its quite big.

Also there is Park camera there in sussex so you will need to travel a bit but its a big store and their very helpful, they will also match there web prices.
 
Drpepper99uk said:
Hi,

Sorry I should have been more specific...I'm looking around the North East Kent area(Swale mainly) although I can always travel if need be. I did see a shop in Maidstone(Pudding lane) but like you said he stocked mainly older SLR items and not the newer stuff which i'm looking for.

Jessops seem to have a strong hold, although I did see a shop called Redbox(Tonbridge area) which stocked lots of items but there prices were a lot higher than identical items being sold elsewhere.

Michael.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. I would like to try some more bags out before making a decision and the only place to go is Jessops. I am in Sittingbourne but work in Maidstone and there is just nothing. The one in pudding lane is a little behind the times but will suit some people. The Camera and Hifi centre in sittingbourne does not sell SLR's :shrug:

D
 
I live in Maidstone, and to be honest your best bet is to jump on the train and go to london for the day and visit either Cameraworld in Wells Street which is about a five minute walk from Oxford Circus tube station or LCE on the strand, with London camera exchange you might be lucky and they might have a second hand one if that is an option for you.

You can also visit Jacobs as well in London, I think it would be much better just to get a cheapday return, would be less trouble and you would be guaranteed to get you hands on the lens you want to play with.

Check their sites and see if they are open sunday, and you could attend the Chinese New Year meet as well, there could be someone at the meet with the lens you are after that you have a go on and ask any question you have.

Just a thought.

Nigel
 
There's always Seymore Harrison's at Guildhall Street in Folkestone. :)The owner is a lovely friendly man and his shop is heaving full of quality stuff. New, old, the very expensive, used and even antique! :eek:
 
Hi,

Thanks for all your detailed replies, I guess I'll have to have a drive(train would be easier on the wallet) to London for the day and check out some of the places mentioned. I did try that place in Sittingbourne, but he only had a select few lenses in stock and they were not the focal length nor brand I was looking for.

Michael.
 
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