Camera & Electronics Stores in Chennai

wiseycali · Jul 28th, 2008, 16:37

Hi All-

I'm a serious photographer (have shot professionally) and a gadget freak to boot (they often go hand in hand). What is Chennai's biggest and best camera store and are there any big electronics stores?

Thanks,
Mike

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2008, 17:07

Biggest is probably Camera Citi (I think its spelt that way, not sure) on Cathedral Road. Pretty big, box-shifting sort of place is my guess (only been in there once).

There are smaller shops around, for instance, in Spencer Plaza. Also some gadget shops there too.

I really don't know the best for serious camera talk. Watch out for grey imports; can be good bargains, but be aware of the implications of no manufacturer's guarantee.

Whilst you will find many gadgets here, what we lack is the choice that I would have been used to in London.

wiseycali · Jul 28th, 2008, 17:18

Thanks Nick-H. I actually went to Camera Citi over the weekend. If it's the same one...there is a huge billboard announcing it's the largest camera showroom but it's a deception. It's ridiculously small. I went to a couple in Spencer Plaza that were bigger (by a few square feet) and better.

It pains me not to have the selection in electronics...but then again it'll keep me out of trouble!

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2008, 17:56

... I seem to remember that half of Camera Citi is a foreign exchange counter? Do post the names of the ones you prefer.

wiseycali · Jul 29th, 2008, 13:36

What's interesting is that the billboard makes it look like the place is huge but it's only a tiny corner of the building. Yes there is a Western Union next to it, among other things. Today I'm going to check out a place called Photocraft Cameras which is in Velachery. Based on the web site, it looks pretty good.

http://www.photocraftcameras.com/

Nick-H · Jul 29th, 2008, 14:05

It was fairly big when I called in there: rectangle, with two camera counters and FX on the right. I think they've got another shop somewhere.

That Velachery place looks interesting, but websites always make a place look good!

www.camerciti.com looks good, but no pic of the showroom...

wiseycali · Jul 29th, 2008, 14:37

I saw the same thing, with Western Union on the right but one small area for the camera store straight past that. Basically there was a small counter in front of me and a small counter on either side so the shop camera shop portion surrounds you. It was a tight space, about enough room for 10-12 people in there.

I wonder if I missed some other camera counter section?

madan80 · Jul 30th, 2008, 12:08

the serious camera shops are not the Airconditioned type places like camaera citi, they are small vendors on wallajah road. they have a much higher density of cameras per sqft than any of the other shops. they also work a lot on "per order" basis - you order the camera you need and they will get it for you. Display pieces are passe!

i dont think there are any serious gadget stores like circuit city or radioshack. you can spend a day loitoring around in spencer plaza looking through all the shops. however, it will help if you know what you are looking for. in chennai you get almost everything - but its spread across the city!

stocklotgarment · Jan 29th, 2009, 20:09

There is a road called ellis road ,that is just behind VGP on mount road .

You can get all the cameras ,lenses etc from that street .

The best guy out there is Rathna Photo store . But the owner is a SNOB . May be he would be much more pleased to have customers who can pay in dollars .

P.S - I am not a trader , but i kind of buy stuff from that place .

ISN · Jan 31st, 2009, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseycali

Thanks Nick-H. I actually went to Camera Citi over the weekend. If it's the same one...there is a huge billboard announcing it's the largest camera showroom but it's a deception. It's ridiculously small. I went to a couple in Spencer Plaza that were bigger (by a few square feet) and better.

It pains me not to have the selection in electronics...but then again it'll keep me out of trouble!

If you want to pickup the latest gadgets then you have to visit the brands exclusive showrooms, India does not have shops like Best Buy where you can checkout the latest gadgets under one roof.

http://www.sony.co.in/section/retailshops
http://www.canon.co.in/CanonImageLounge.asp
http://www.nikon.co.in/distributors.php

Let me know if you are looking for anything specific then I can make some suggestions.

Kingstonian · Nov 20th, 2009, 15:59

A sweet reminder - no buying and selling via IM ....

Jul 28th, 2008, 16:37	#1
wiseycali Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 10	Camera & Electronics Stores in Chennai Hi All- I'm a serious photographer (have shot professionally) and a gadget freak to boot (they often go hand in hand). What is Chennai's biggest and best camera store and are there any big electronics stores? Thanks, Mike

Jul 30th, 2008, 12:08	#8
madan80 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 178	the serious camera shops are not the Airconditioned type places like camaera citi, they are small vendors on wallajah road. they have a much higher density of cameras per sqft than any of the other shops. they also work a lot on "per order" basis - you order the camera you need and they will get it for you. Display pieces are passe! i dont think there are any serious gadget stores like circuit city or radioshack. you can spend a day loitoring around in spencer plaza looking through all the shops. however, it will help if you know what you are looking for. in chennai you get almost everything - but its spread across the city! __________________ Now a certified rally driver! Last edited by Kingstonian : Nov 20th, 2009 at 15:55.

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Jul 28th, 2008, 17:07	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	Biggest is probably Camera Citi (I think its spelt that way, not sure) on Cathedral Road. Pretty big, box-shifting sort of place is my guess (only been in there once). There are smaller shops around, for instance, in Spencer Plaza. Also some gadget shops there too. I really don't know the best for serious camera talk. Watch out for grey imports; can be good bargains, but be aware of the implications of no manufacturer's guarantee. Whilst you will find many gadgets here, what we lack is the choice that I would have been used to in London.

Jul 28th, 2008, 17:18	#3
wiseycali Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 10	Thanks Nick-H. I actually went to Camera Citi over the weekend. If it's the same one...there is a huge billboard announcing it's the largest camera showroom but it's a deception. It's ridiculously small. I went to a couple in Spencer Plaza that were bigger (by a few square feet) and better. It pains me not to have the selection in electronics...but then again it'll keep me out of trouble!

Jul 28th, 2008, 17:56	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	... I seem to remember that half of Camera Citi is a foreign exchange counter? Do post the names of the ones you prefer.

Jul 29th, 2008, 13:36	#5
wiseycali Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 10	What's interesting is that the billboard makes it look like the place is huge but it's only a tiny corner of the building. Yes there is a Western Union next to it, among other things. Today I'm going to check out a place called Photocraft Cameras which is in Velachery. Based on the web site, it looks pretty good. http://www.photocraftcameras.com/

Jul 29th, 2008, 14:05	#6
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	It was fairly big when I called in there: rectangle, with two camera counters and FX on the right. I think they've got another shop somewhere. That Velachery place looks interesting, but websites always make a place look good! www.camerciti.com looks good, but no pic of the showroom...

Jul 29th, 2008, 14:37	#7
wiseycali Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 10	I saw the same thing, with Western Union on the right but one small area for the camera store straight past that. Basically there was a small counter in front of me and a small counter on either side so the shop camera shop portion surrounds you. It was a tight space, about enough room for 10-12 people in there. I wonder if I missed some other camera counter section?

Jan 29th, 2009, 20:09	#9
stocklotgarment Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 123	There is a road called ellis road ,that is just behind VGP on mount road . You can get all the cameras ,lenses etc from that street . The best guy out there is Rathna Photo store . But the owner is a SNOB . May be he would be much more pleased to have customers who can pay in dollars . P.S - I am not a trader , but i kind of buy stuff from that place .

Nov 20th, 2009, 15:59	#11
Kingstonian Still lurking Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,118	A sweet reminder - no buying and selling via IM ....