If You are in Singapore and Need Equipment

Singapore is a hub for shooters heading to other remoter regional destinations. Its your last outpost. Equipment failure in south east asia can be totally catastrophic for your assignment (even if you have a spare body). No need to bla bla about Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh or Jakarta, sorry folks been there got the T Shirt but buying stuff in any of these cities is very time consuming and if you want Leica bits or film (real film not the consumer grade) then your just plain outta luck.

So having just spent 6 months here working on my two books, Springs Winter and Excuse Me, Are You Singaporean (I know I know, shameless plug), I can now feel comfortable in recommending locations here in the city state that actually give a shit about you and your gear.

For Film, Paper, Chemicals and Bitz

Ruby Photo @ Peninsula Hotel Shopping Complex 3 Coleman Street Tel +65 63380236

The Aunite and Uncles in this enterprise have literally been there and done that as far as film and print. Seems there is no question they can't answer. The prices are very fair, and they discount for pro's and students.

This is the only shop I have seen outside of Tokyo which has real stock in large quantities.

Leica/Nikon/Zeiss/Canon Bodies and Glass and Accessories

There are lots of "photo shops" with so called "bargains" in town, however the very best prices and service (wow what service) is obtained from Gope's Foto & Film in Tanglin Shopping Centre on 19 Tanglin Road (don't get confused with Tanglin Mall like I did, Mr Blur...)

Ask for Sundar or Gope. These guys very much know their shit and frankly you wont beat their prices no matter how hard you bargain on Orchard. And if they don't have it, they will get it for you promptly. They are reliable and remember you, can't beat old fashioned customer service. Phone number is +65 67372633

Used/Pre-Loved Gear or New Voightlander
You cant beat Prime Cameras in the Peninsula Plaza, across the road (Coleman Street) from Ruby Photo. Web Site is here http://www.primecamera.com.sg/

Ask for Leslie (and tell him Mike sent you hehe). Bargain, but Les normally has the right price on his gear so you might move him 10% or so, but you get good used stuff that is problem free. Be warned there are many second hand dealers of camera gear, but I have found that these guys have zero quality control and quite often sell non functioning equipment. The opposite is true with Les and Prime, everything is high qual.

Places to avoid
Cathay Photo, a little rude and overpriced
Ben Photo, an uncontrolled market, buyer beware.
Orchard Road, if you do buy from these guys dotted in the plazas there, make sure you check what's in the box BEFORE you hand over the cash. These guys charge extra for kit camera standards such as batteries etc. High pressure sales guys have no place in this world

Other standard kit can be purchased quite reasonably in Funan, including Mac stuff (however Mac service is still best covered at the Atrium on Orchard Rd)