I’m going to NYC!!

Demodres

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Hi all and happy New Year..

At the end of January I’m am going to NYC with my wife on a combined business and holiday trip. I am of course very excited since it will be my first time visiting NYC and the US in general. At this stage I’m preparing and planning for the trip and need some advises from my fellow RFs, which I hope you can help me with.

I would like to buy a new PC and need some help on finding a store with a good selection (preferable Asus, Sony or Lenovo) with low price tags. I do not need any service or guidance from the store so some kind of discount electronic mega store in Manhatten would be perfect (?)

On the same subject, I would like to find a good place to buy digital cameras – a point and shot for my wife and maybe a Canon 5D, mark III for me (ups,:cool: ). Is it possible to find cameras in physical stores in NYC at the same price level as on Ebay or Amazon?

For more cultural and eccentric photographic sightseeing I would like to visit some photo exhibitions. What are the must see photo exhibitions and museums and is there webpage will all ongoing photo events in the Big Apple?

Finally, I am planning to bring my Konica Hexar for some classic street shooting. Where should I go to buy B/W film and get the film developed?
Hope you guys can help me on my planning, shopping and sightseeing and I’ll gladly return with some NYC pics for the forum after the trip..

Best, Andreas
 
Sorry, can't help with computers. For cameras, I am not sure how the prices compare (it will depend on the camera, I think), but both B&H Photo and Adorama are good places to start for digital cameras. You can probably even check their prices online before you physically visit the stores. Both of those sell film as well but, with film, I am pretty sure you would get better deals online (if you live in the US).
 
Hey Andreas,
I dont think you are usually going to find better prices in a store than on Amazon, online, but sometimes they do have a sale that might be worth it..
Like V Roma said, B&H and Adorama are your best bets for cameras, B&H also have computers..
They both will have everything digital, and a big used film dept..
Buying film there will also be fine, the same as online, under 5$ for a roll of triX.
Not sure about developing, havent gone to any labs in some time..
You also have Photovillage, Kurland and a few others for Leica gear..
Stay away from all the smaller camera/electronics stores around the touristy places, not worth walking in..
Have fun..
 
Sorry, can't help with computers. For cameras, I am not sure how the prices compare (it will depend on the camera, I think), but both B&H Photo and Adorama are good places to start for digital cameras. You can probably even check their prices online before you physically visit the stores. Both of those sell film as well but, with film, I am pretty sure you would get better deals online (if you live in the US).

Hi Roma - thanks for your input! I have checked B+H's their web site, and they have quite good prices for computer (compared to Hanoi where I'm currently posted), and their selection seems good.

For cameras their prices are a bit high and not really competative with online sales, which is not the big surprise..
 
Hey Andreas,
I dont think you are usually going to find better prices in a store than on Amazon, online, but sometimes they do have a sale that might be worth it..
Like V Roma said, B&H and Adorama are your best bets for cameras, B&H also have computers..
They both will have everything digital, and a big used film dept..
Buying film there will also be fine, the same as online, under 5$ for a roll of triX.
Not sure about developing, havent gone to any labs in some time..
You also have Photovillage, Kurland and a few others for Leica gear..
Stay away from all the smaller camera/electronics stores around the touristy places, not worth walking in..
Have fun..

Hi finguanzo - thanks for good your advice, and you are properly right about the prices online versus in real stores..In generel I think that prices at B+H and similar stores are a bit higher due their service level etc, and I would prefer to find a discount store, like Wal Mart, as I do not need the service and I can't use the store either as I'm taking the camerea abroad.

Is there a mega store / hyper market with electronics in Manhatten or close by?

Any other inputs or ideas about "must see" photo museums and exhibitions?

Best, Andreas
 
For cameras their prices are a bit high and not really competative with online sales, which is not the big surprise..

Actually, B&H has the best LEGITIMATE prices for cameras. You will notice that Adorama and Amazon's prices are the same or almost the same as B&H. Any of these is fine. You will find much lower prices online - but ordering from places that offer "impossibly low" prices is asking for trouble. In the best case, you'll never get it, or you will have to pay extra for the things normally included with the camera. Worst case, you will be defrauded.
 
Is there a mega store / hyper market with electronics in Manhatten or close by?

Any other inputs or ideas about "must see" photo museums and exhibitions?

Mega store- B&H. Do note that state and city sales taxes will add about 10% to whatever advertised prices you see.

Look for NYC travel, gallery, and museum guides. There are hundreds of places to visit in New York. You could spend an exhausting month on galleries alone.

G
 
Demodres,
be sure to go and see B&H.
I was there the end of September, and this was one of the highlights of my trip, I had never seen something comparable.

Have a good trip.
 
For galleries try wandering around between 10th and 11th Avenues between about 20th and 24th street. There are always interesting things to see in the galleries. Go on Saturday if you are there over a weekend as they are closed on Sundays.

A nice day is to walk on the Highline either before or after browsing the galleries as it runs right by there if it's not too cold. Wander into Chelsea Market and eat whatever strikes your fancy.

As others have suggested B&H is good for film prices but NOT open on Friday afternoon or Saturday (it's run by observant Jewish people). Personally as cool as B&H is, I wouldn't waste too much time in there if you want to see New York.

When you get in, grab a copy of Time Out New York (or look online before you come) as it will list what is in all the galleries and museums and other events around town.

I wouldn't limit yourself to photography as I often find looking at painting and sculpture in the museums is a great way to learn how to see different things photographically. I usually walk out of the museum amped to take photos.

Again if it's not cold, pick an area to wander around and explore. I think that's the best way to get a good feel of New York. Another nice walk is over the Brooklyn Bridge. We do this a lot with guests from out of town and everyone seems to like it and I never tire of doing it (although I have way too many boring, cliche, photos of the bridge).
 
I don't think there is a WalMart in Manhattan or any of the other boroughs, but I could be mistaken. If you want one of those you'll have to go to Secaucus, NJ for the closest one I'm pretty sure.

Like others have said, you'll be taxed a good amount in NYC for those goods so it may not be as advantageous to buy there as online.

I'm not sure if they are closed yet but if you want to look at one of the last good stocks of used gear in the City, Lens and Repro is great. Between Union Square and the Flatiron, one street over from Adorama. Last summer they said they were closing down their store as a retail location but I don't know if they completed that yet. Probably so as it's now 2013. They had everything Nikon F and F2 you could ever imagine. Good stock of Leica and other photo arcania. Much of their gear was strictly for rental or non-op props for movie production but they always did carry a good amount of used gear. They still have a good repairman as well, last time I was there.

Kurland's is amazing in a way that looking at a Faberge egg is amazing. Last summer they had an M9 Titanium kit sitting in a case. Friendly guys though and right next to the Leica gallery.

NYC isn't all shopping though. Make sure to get to the HighLine Park along 10th Ave in Chelsea. Of course there are tons of galleries and museums. Search for "Manhattan" here in the forums and a few posts will come up where a good number of recommendations on what to see and where to stay away from. It might be too early but the Brooklyn Botanical Garden might be nice.

Make sure to get some good food too. Stand out in front of Artichoke Pizza on 14th, cursing the hot cheese burning your hand and the lack of seating anywhere nearby. That area is a great place for people watching and hipster gawking.

There's just so much to do and see in NYC, especially if you get out of Madhattan. Walk across the Brooklyn, Williamsburg or 59th St. bridge and explore Brooklyn or Queens. Oh and take the Staten Island Ferry over to the island and back. You'll get a good view of the Statue of Liberty. And it's free.

I wax nostalgic about NYC too much because I miss it so much.

Phil Forrest
 
NYC isn't all shopping though. Make sure to get to the HighLine Park along 10th Ave in Chelsea. Of course there are tons of galleries and museums. Search for "Manhattan" here in the forums and a few posts will come up where a good number of recommendations on what to see and where to stay away from. It might be too early but the Brooklyn Botanical Garden might be nice.


Phil Forrest

I was at High Line two weeks ago and it was FREEZING. Great views though. Try to hi up Chelsea market on the weekdays as the weekends is chaotic. Go to The Lobster Place and order the lobster sandwich.
 
Last spring when I was at the Chelsea Market for an interview upstairs, I ran into Emma Stone and her new dude. Very nice. and holy cow is she tiny. You never know who you'll see in NYC but don't let it distract you from the city! :D

Phil Forrest
 
B&H for cameras, Amazon for everything else. If for some reason they don't have it at B&H, go to Adorama. If they don't have it there either, it probably doesn't exist.
 
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Gotta love us spoiled NYC people. B&H and Adorama are no big deal to me at all...annoying even. I thought MAP camera in Tokyo was camera heaven and so much crazier than B&H...I wonder what locals feel about MAP?
 
Certainly get out and about and don't waste too much time marveling at the wares of B and H (although the used section is always kinda cool). They are really fast to deliver within NYC so you could shop online before you go and have shipped to where ever you are staying.

Hell I live here and I shop online, shipping for 10 rolls of film is about the same as my subway fare to get there and back.

I also wouldn't spend too much time in Times Square either unless you want to see other tourists and people dressed up in Elmo suits. Marvel at all the neon once at night on your way somewhere else and move on. Most New Yorkers avoid it like the plague.

I can't think of any good photography exhibits right now but the Picasso Black and White show at the Gaugenheim is very good through Jan 23rd.
 
Last spring when I was at the Chelsea Market for an interview upstairs, I ran into Emma Stone and her new dude. Very nice. and holy cow is she tiny. You never know who you'll see in NYC but don't let it distract you from the city! :D

Phil Forrest

You should've approached us so I could introduce you to her.
 
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