Try, before you buy, your next camera

Try, before you buy, your next camera

Alan Photo launches Singapore’s first
experiential photography store that gives shutterbugs the opportunity to test
over thousands of cameras, lenses, tripods and other gear to help them make the
right buying choice

Singapore, 21 November 2016 – A picture says a thousand words, but
shopping for the right camera to snap your favorite shots can be a bummer.
Should you go for mirrorless or DSLR? Super-zoom or prosumer compact? Which
lenses work best with your svelte full-frame body?

Now, there is a better way to buy. Leading
homegrown camera retailer Alan Photo’s new REC retail store at CT Hub 2 lets
consumers go on a journey to search for the right photography and videography
gear. 

This is the first shop of its kind in Singapore,
and possibly in South-east Asia at this scale, where people can freely test
various products ranging from lightings, cameras, audio devices, video tripods,
cine lenses, recording devices, switches, converters and others at REC before
deciding what to buy. 

Alvan Tan, General Manager of REC said: “If we
sell it, you can try it. Buying a camera is often a long-drawn process where
the consumer does his planning in advance. We want to help consumers complete
their research with hands-on experiences in a comfortable and welcoming
environment.” 

Officially launching this Saturday, 26th November
2016*, the 2,800 square feet store is equipped with two multi-purpose photo
studios. Keeping in mind that customers may spend long periods of time in the
store, there is a cozy corner of the store called the Pantry Café where
customers can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or tea.

While the Internet and e-commerce have improved
the buying experience where you can be price-informed without visiting multiple
stores, there is still no substitute for holding the equipment in your hands
and trying it out personally. Many brick-and-mortar retailers are usually
harried and focused on closing deals, resulting in customers feeling rushed when
testing equipment.

At REC, it’s all about giving customers time to
smell the flowers and shoot their favorite scenes before deciding on a
purchase. 

“Our new concept store aims to break away from
the traditional photo retail market by being a one-stop hub that provides the
testing of a full range of photo, video and audio products and services, all in
one space,” added Mr Tan. 

All major camera and lenses brands are
available, ranging from popular mainstream brands like Canon, Nikon and Sony to
professional-grade makers such as BlackmagicDesign and Leica. 

Whether one is looking for a powerful compact
camera for travelling or a super telephoto lens to capture the moon, all REC
staff are trained and ready to provide a superior shopping experience.

The store’s homely concept also reflects its aim
to galvanize the local photography community. It aims to create a cozy
gathering space for local shutterbugs to meet, exchange shooting tips and
attend useful workshops.

One of the first such workshops to be held at
REC will be an upcoming collaboration with Nikon to invite underwater
photographer Aaron Wong for a photography talk on 3rd December
2016. 

-End-

*REC is located at 114 Lavender Street CT HUB 2, #01-36,
Singapore 338729, and is officially launching on Saturday, 26th November
2016. 

Camera brands sold at REC include: BlackmagicDesign,
Canon, Casio, DJI, Fujifilm, Gopro, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, Olympus,
Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Sony. 

Lenses brands sold at REC include: Zeiss,
Samyang, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina.

Accessories brands sold at REC include: Aputure,
Atomos, Benro, Feiyu, Gitzo, SP gadgets, Gopole, Gtech, JJC, F&V, Jusino,
Joby, Pixel, Matin, Aipo, SLR Magic, ThumbsUp, Metabones, Micropro, Nanuk,
Profoto, Rode, Saramonic and Sennheiser. 

About Alan Photo Trading and REC:

Founded by Alan Tan and his two brothers, Alan
Photo Trading has been in the camera and video equipment retail scene for
nearly three decades. Alan Photo Trading is now managed by their children with
a renewed focus on breaking away from the traditional retail store concept
and catering to the modern needs of consumers. Its new concept store [•REC] aims
to provide customers a one-stop shop to test its full range of photo,
video and audio products and services, and establish itself as a gathering
hub for the local photography community.

REC’s mission statement is to:

Resolve – Resolve dilemmas and problems that our customers face when
deciding to buy a product 

Experience – Allow customers to fully experience the products before
making the decision to purchase

Create – Facilitate the creation of content