Hi there! I'm going off to singapore for a month soon, hopefully I'll have a shiny new 450D by that point, and was just wondering if anyone has any tips, great places to shoot, or advice on buying equipment out there? As I won't have an extensive lens collection at this point, I was wondering if if would be a good opportunity to start building up my collection! Does anyone know what the exchange rate is like at the moment? Is it worthwhile buying lenses out there? Thanks for any help!
Chris
Hi Chris!
I enjoy Singapore. Places to shoot... there is a beautiful view at the Esplanade looking over the river towards the CBD, Merlion, Fullerton Hotel, with the big durian behind you. You could walk there from Dhoby Ghaut or City Hall MRT. I like walking, you get to see everything in between.
You could also take a ride on the Singapore Flyer for another nice view.
Another place I enjoyed is Raffle's Place. Last time I was there people tried to sell me insurance etc, and when they found out I was there for holiday, they seemed puzzled as to why I go to the CBD for holiday. But I like it there, sitting around, surrounded by tall buildings, looking up
As for buying equipment, there's a few shops I like there. The ones I like include:
Cathay Photo at Peninsular Plaza (also with an outlet at Marina Square).
John 3:16 at Funan.
Orient Photo at Sim Lim Square (but be super careful around SLS, many reports of people being ripped off in the surrounding shops).
TK Photo at Shaw Towers (on Beach Rd) have many Thinktank bags if that's what you're after
There are many more, but those are the ones that I like
I think it's a good idea to avoid going there the time when everyone finishes work, or on the weekend, as they become very busy.
From what I've read on the Singapore photography forums, they typically complain about gear prices being high (though they don't have as much to complain as here in the UK!). So they resort to mass orders and grey importers, for which you can find some MO organisers and grey importers on the forum, who seem quite reliable.
Something I worry a little about is if you don't have a good place to store your lenses. The weather in Singapore is humid, so without a drybox, or if you don't keep your equipment properly, fungus may grow on the lenses. Perhaps a sealed box with silica gel may suffice (I saw them selling bottles of silica gel at Ruby Photo).
What lenses do you intend on getting?
If you buy from the shops there (not from the grey importers, mass order coordinators), when you leave the country, you may be able to claim back a portion of the 7% GST.
Hope this gives you some ideas!
. Seriusly though, have a nice trip. As for equipment I dunno, may be warranty issues.
