Question to photographers in Chennai

dimol

Does anybody know where to get color calibration device (like ColorVision Spyder or Pantone HueyPro) in Chennai?

Also are there any shops that sell professional studio flash strobes, backdropes, etc.?

Yuri_S

For professional studio equipment, check Ellis Road. don't expect much - most of what they are selling is ... hm, so-so quality.

For color calibrator, ebay.com will be the best option here.

dimol

Thanks, I'll definitely check Ellis road!

Ebay (or even manufacturer site) - yes, I am considering this option. Do you know what are indian rules about custom duties? Shall I pay anything if I receive a package by FedEx (or UPS, USPS, standart mail) with, say, 300$ worth color calibrator?

Yuri_S

So far I never asked for Fedex/UPS options - they are almost certainly will attract custom official's attention, apart from being quite costly. I got my eBay items by USPS/AirMail/RoyalMail (5-10 days from US), and so far paid custom duties only for 2 item: for new tripod and (surprise!) for used compact film camera. Even so, it still MUCH less then I was need to pay to the local sellers. What is interesting, I didn't pay anything for much more expensive (and 'expensive looking') EOS SLR

Formally, you can expect the custom duties up to 30% item's price. Now, here's most interesting - the custom will value an item not by your invoice, but by some mysterious 'Indian market price' They have long, long list for it If you are lucky enough don't get listed - you will only get custom stamp on your package Or, the same if your item was considered 'not to have commercial value' - i.e. not brand new in the original retail box/pack.

So, it's better to ask the seller not to ship in the original packaging, and mark item as 'used' or 'for spare/parts'.

dimol

Wow, thanks for a great advice!
One more question: are items delivered right to home, or you have to go to local post office (hope, you don't have to go to airport to pay custom duties there)?

Yuri_S

The items will come with the custom bill and you will have to pay to a postman (or at the post office counter) - to get your parcel.

dimol

hmmm! It seems to me that you are not only a photographer like me, but we also speak same language

Yuri_S

Correct

thejag

all the times i have ordered off of ebay or from anyother site i have had to go to the post office, pay the tax and collected the parcel.

awesome_stanly

I believe I speak the same language. So is there any way we can get together for some fun time spending and stuff?

dimol

sorry for delay, I just have returned from Sri Lanka.
of course, it is possible
all my contact info is in my profile, so you can get in touch with me Or you can send me a private message. Whatever.