ok, this is the sweet-bitter part, so many things to buy and so little money… guess always the case when it comes to photography related purchase. containing my self to buying the essentials only required for the trip …… hehe ….. even that is not easy
already purchased a beanbag for the jeep ride, every where i read about safari and photography its mentioned as ‘one of the most essential’ things to bring. got this ‘The Pod’ thing from a hobbyist-equipment seller for P1,800. the original price at the makers website in canada is US$26 or so, but guess with shipping and time constrain its ok.
next item i am waiting to buy are the 70-300mm VR lens, hopefully disposing off the non-VR, version i have in the next couple of days. The ‘VR’ or vibration reduction is the gyroscope type of technology of nikkon to help reduce shakes in photo specially if its ‘high magnification’ and from a running jeep. Also would need to purchase a good lense brush, something big and strong to handle the dust of open jeep in the national park. at one point considered buying this contraption from ‘kata‘ bags, but on second though its quite difficult to handle and all others are surviving without so guess i can also. check out from the link, might be worth its difficulty if used in a real ‘rain forest’ jungle of south east asia. but then again it might have issues with moisture and condensation. anyways another something to consider for someone, i am not sold on its use for now.
Finally did the trip to Quapo, Hidalgo yesterday 19th March. This is the camera and photography equipment center of Philippines, has long history how some of the famous photographers used to meet and discuss about the tips and tricks along with there experiences, before the advent of flickr and other online communities such camera clubs and gatherings were the only venue for enthusiasts.
This small area, part of the old town of manila, reminds me of the similar parts of every big town and city i stayed in, full of old buildings begging for repair, renovation or atleast a coat of paint. the narrow streets covered overhead by cris-crossing cables of different kinds, broken sign-board and advertisement boards, some remains of election posters etc, and people, fruit and food sellers of all kind in small stalls or push carts and all other possible buyers and sellers cramming the roads with slowly crawling different type of motor vehicle, horse driven carts, cycle etc. may be the only missing thing in this mix from Indian centers would be the presence of Cows… hehe …. they are present every where in India.
So after reaching Hidalgo first thing i found is that most of the regular stores i go to are closed, guess they already too off for vacation locally or out of the country. This is holly week, and the leaves starts on Thursday so did not expect to see all this stores closed on afternoon of Wednesday, but anyways since i am there already have to do the best of it, not easy to reach here takes about 1 hour or more with traffic and distance. My objective for the trip was three things, explore the option of selling my old ‘70-300mm G’ lens if i get a decent price, second to purchase a new ‘70-300mm VR’ lens and third find a good cleaning kit for the camera since i am having nightmares about the effect of dust on the gears.
Had to find my old sales men persona out and jumped in to explore shop to shop who buys old camera equipment, showing them the lens i brought, i purchased it for P6,500, eight months ago from one of the stores here, current price for this is about in between P6 to 7K depending on where you buy and how well you can negotiate, so my BATNA set at P4K(BATNA: Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) as learned from my management school negotiation class, started of getting quote, the offer were in the range of P3K to P4K, could not get anyone to exceed P4K, so finally settled for that amount, not the best deal but guess good enough.
Next challange was where to buy the new lens, i went there with Henry’s store in mind, since i bought few times from them and they are ok. How ever they were closed as well as Avenue, the other good store for accessories where i was hopeing to get the cleaning kit. Last time when i called Henry’s gave me a quote for P22K, which was barely in my range though hurting the pocket already, but wanted to go ahead since not sure when i will get another opportunity to visit Kanha or anything like that soon.
After looking around a bit found the store of Mayer’s open, one of the oldest store but not the most favorite amongst buyers because of some bad experiences as i found from several blogs. But they are one of the oldest in the strip and has all kind of equipments. Went in to give it a try and found they are selling the lens for P21k, on a close inspection found it to be looking perfect and new, decided to go ahead and get it. Hoping not to find out if the decision was good in terms of need for repair etc. trusting the brand of Nikkor.
So now i am left out with the cleaning kit only, anyways i still have my old one and i know this store called Aperture Treading at QC, who has very nice cleaning brush and other kits, will try to make a trip one of this days if i can make time. There, so far so good, in terms of shopping.
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