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Welcome to Paetechie, the pathetic technology oriented and information security blog of a techie traveler from the Philippines

Shopping for cheap lenses, cameras, nikon, canon, sony, kenko extension tubes, batteries, filters, ND filters, CPL (circular polarizers), tripods (manfrotto et al), video cameras, sigma, tamron, photo developing and printing, films, SD/CF/MS and other memory cards?

The best place to buy them in the Philippines is in the so called Photographers' Haven on Hidalgo St in Quiapo, Manila. The area at the west end of Hidalgo St, P. Gomez (at the back of SM Sta Cruz) teems with many camera stores and shops. You can also find camera repairs of your old film camera and lens cleaning.

Some stores' telephone numbers for your reference:

mayer +63.2.733.7722
watson +63.2.733.7697
avenue +63.2.733.5474
fotohaus +63.2.733.4564
henry's +63.2.733.7723

Hidalgo St. is named after the painter Felix Resurrection Hidalgo. The area is now called Hidalgo that includes part of P. Gomez Street and Carlos Palanca St.

Tips:
Calling the store's published telephone number is not recommended. Tried it already and it's frustrating. Visiting the stores can also haggle for a cheaper price, discounts and freebies. Warn you though of in-store warranty for items with missing warranty cards, probably gray market units. Tutubi bought his Canon Ixus 30 at Henry's three years ago at a huge discount compared to malls and it's still functioning up to this day (still looks like new except for minor scratches on the LCD screen)

UPDATE: bought a brand new Nikon D80 body at Henry's for PhP34k with free bag and 1GB SD card on February 16, 2008. Use with Nikkor 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VR lens.

I will try to look up prices of the following:
Nikon D90, Nikon D60, D5000, D300, D700, D3X, Sb-400, SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, 50mm f/1.8, Canon 1000D, Canon 450D, 40D, 50D, Canon EF-S 18-200/3.5-5.6 IS and various Nikkor lenses


For Canonites, these information may also come in handy:

Canon Customer Care, Mandaluyong City
8:00am to 5:30pm

Head Office & Main Service Center
Marvin Plaza Building
2153 Don Chino Roces Avenue
Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: (02) 884-9000
Fax No.: (02) 812-0067

How to get to Hidalgo St, Quiapo, Manila

Commute: any jeepney going to Quiapo can get you there. Drop off near Quiapo church. Hidalgo St. is the street in front of the church lined with flower vendors and photography and camera shops.

You may also take the LRT (line 1) then alight at Carriedo station. The area is at the back of SM Sta. Cruz.

Directions for those with cars, parking is a problem in the area, so park at your own risk. You may try parking at SM or in various side streets of Quiapo.

Labels: Photography