Where to get a camera?

[OFRD_GRL]

All the sites that had good deals on a Nikon D40x w/ lenses/etc. had HORRID reviews of service/etc.

Where should I look for a good price on a Nikon D40 with an 18-55 and 70-300 lense (or lenses around that range)

[Rob O]

All the sites that had good deals on a Nikon D40x w/ lenses/etc. had HORRID reviews of service/etc.

Where should I look for a good price on a Nikon D40 with an 18-55 and 70-300 lense (or lenses around that range)

I can't say it enough when people ask for retailer recommendations: Buy from a reputable place and avoid shopping ebayers and other online e-tailers purely on price. What you save isn't worth the headache and potential for loss/misrepresentation/etc. Can't go wrong with B&H; Amazon (and affiliated retailers) , Costco and Dell are also safe bets (Dell if they're having a stellar deal going). Buy.com and buydig.com are generally okay as well.

If you find a deal that's too good to be true -- i.e., the price is way lower than everywhere else -- it probably is. There are places that offer technically new product, but disaggregate the original packaging so they can advertise the body at ridiculously low prices. Then when you get it, or if you call them first, you find you have to pay extra for the charger and other stuff that was originally packaged from the factory in the original box. Once you piece it all back together and add shipping, you end up not saving anything.

Shop B&H and be done with it. :D

[Lost Canadian]

I buy all my stuff from The Camera Store (http://www.thecamerastore.com/) but you're probably looking for something closer. I will echo what Rob said, avoid ebay and the super deal online sites, most are scams.

[geodasher]

I've purchased camera & lenses from Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Nikon%20D40) with good service at a reasonable price.

[tdesanto]

B&H x2

[mountainpete]

I buy all my stuff from The Camera Store (http://www.thecamerastore.com/) but you're probably looking for something closer. I will echo what Rob said, avoid ebay and the super deal online sites, most are scams.

I also buy almost exclusively from The Camera Store - however they are just down the road from where my wife works so it's easy for me. Great service, great people and some of the best prices in Canada.

Pete

[nwoods]

I make a point of buying from my local camera store that caters to professional photographers. I want such stores to stay in business, because if I need something RIGHT NOW, they are likely to have it. If I don't shop there to save $10, then they may not be there anymore....

I apply this logic to most all of my purchases whenever possible.

[Rob O]

I make a point of buying from my local camera store that caters to professional photographers. I want such stores to stay in business, because if I need something RIGHT NOW, they are likely to have it. If I don't shop there to save $10, then they may not be there anymore....

I apply this logic to most all of my purchases whenever possible.

Commendable ... and maybe that works with some of the great shops in Southern California (like Sammys). But here in Phoenix, with basically Tempe Camera and Photomark the only reputable local shops catering to pros, you pay out the *** ... way more than $10 to be saved. ;-) Sometimes they'll honor price match for, say, Amazon but you still get hit with tax (and that adds up on more expensive gear). Example: I can get a NIB, US-spec 40D body from any number of online retailers (reputable) for under $1,100 shipped; best I can do from either of the locals mentioned is $1,299. Easy call IMO.

We also have Ritz (Wolf), but I refuse to buy from them because they are ridiculously more expensive. I guess if I *had* to have something for a trip or photoshoot and couldn't wait for the item to be shipped I might pay a premium for instant gratification. Most of the time, though, I've no problem waiting a few days to save considerable sums.

[Streakerfreak]

We also have Ritz (Wolf), but I refuse to buy from them because they are ridiculously more expensive. I guess if I *had* to have something for a trip or photoshoot and couldn't wait for the item to be shipped I might pay a premium for instant gratification. Most of the time, though, I've no problem waiting a few days to save considerable sums.

Once upon a time I use to shop at Ritz until I grew up and realized how stupid that was. Way to over priced and run by people who really did not know what they were doing.

I do most of my shopping with B&H. I went to college on the East end of Long Island. I would order all my supplies from B&H and they would be at the college in two days. If I was heading into the city for the day I would just stop by. That being said I got first hand experience with there practices and knowledge of photography and I can say it is top notch:26_7_2:

[alvarorb]

I've gotten my last two Canon dSLRs from Best Buy. Yes, the retail store.
Before you call me crazy, read on.

I go online to Amazon.com and B&H. Get their pricing on the camera with the lens kit (last time I checked they only sold the camera with the lens). Then went to the store and asked them to match it. They usually do.
Then I get their 3 year extended warranty. Their new one covers accidental damage to cameras. It also covers cleaning done by Canon.

Once a year, I take my cameras for service. Specially after a trip to the Moab where red dust gets everywhere. Cleaning is included in the warranty. So are parts and labor. I've gotten a CF card door replaced once.

I think it's a sweet deal. The price is fair and I feel good that I can get my camera up and running if something were to happen to it.

Regards

Alvaro

[OFRD_GRL]

i was actually thinking about going to best buy.... i will have to see if they will match price.


the main benefit of buying online is the no tax thing, which can be somewhat hefty on a camera purchase. especially with lenses and such.


i have no decent stores locally. theres wolff camera.. but they are WAY overpriced even compared to bestbuy...

[cshontz]

I've been using B&H lately, with positive results.

[alvarorb]

Odrd_GRL,

Too bad you don't have a BB nearby.
Lenses and accessories I buy from Amazon. Sometimes it will be from B&H, others from Adorama, others from Amazon itself. The search and purchase is done via Amazon.

Regards

Alvaro



i was actually thinking about going to best buy.... i will have to see if they will match price.


the main benefit of buying online is the no tax thing, which can be somewhat hefty on a camera purchase. especially with lenses and such.


i have no decent stores locally. theres wolff camera.. but they are WAY overpriced even compared to bestbuy...

[gearbox]

From B&H Photo I've gotten good prices and fast shipping, and I don't expect poor service. They offer 3rd party warranties also, which is good for things that tend to break right after the factory warranty runs out...or if it happens to get fried when it becomes obsolete.

I've heard of one guy that got a $900 camera for under $600 through Dell by stacking coupons and specials. Look for "hot deals," be patient, and you will get a good deal. Just stay away from gray-market stuff and "service" will usually tend to be par. Unless you want superior service for a greater price, go with any reputed dealer.

[sinuhexavier]

x3 B&H

[Desertdude]

X4 -B&H

(I think I might own a piece of that place by now) :bigbossHL:


I have, and you can, also sell your used gear there too

[pathfinderdriver]

I would also recommend B&H, also Adorama. Both seem to be priced very well and have everything in stock that I've needed. Only drawback is they are on the East coast and I am in Washington State so shipping usually takes 5-7 days ground.

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

I've always had good luck here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/), here (http://www.ritzcamera.com/), and here (http://www.adorama.com/). For lots of info on digital photography in general, but especially Nikon gear, I look here (http://www.kenrockwell.com/)- Ken really knows his stuff, check out his reviews and articles.

[tdesanto]

I've always had good luck here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/), here (http://www.ritzcamera.com/), and here (http://www.adorama.com/). For lots of info on digital photography in general, but especially Nikon gear, I look here (http://www.kenrockwell.com/)- Ken really knows his stuff, check out his reviews and articles.

Ken Rockwell is a bit of a knucklehead...take what he says with a grain of salt or two.

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Ken Rockwell is a bit of a knucklehead...take what he says with a grain of salt or two.

That's the firt time I've ever heard that. I'm not arguing for or against, but am curious what you base your opinion on?

[Lost Canadian]

For lots of info on digital photography in general, but especially Nikon gear, I look here (http://www.kenrockwell.com/)- Ken really knows his stuff, check out his reviews and articles.
Oh the sage teachings of Ken. Here's a classic Ken line, "Tripods are for the weak. I stack the odds in my favor by firing bursts of several shots in the Continuous shutter mode and sorting out the sharpest later..."

Say what? I read that and immediately ordered a Gitzo.:p




Here's a fun Ken Rockwell fact list.

-Ken Rockwell is the Chuck Norris of photography

-Ken Rockwell's camera has similar settings to ours, except his are: P[erfect] Av[Awesome Priority Tv[Totally Awesome Priority] M[ajestic]

-Ken Rockwell doesn't color correct. He adjusts your world to match his.

-Sure, Ken Rockwell deletes a bad photo or two. Other people call these Pulitzers.

-Ken Rockwell doesn't adjust his DOF, he changes space-time.

-Circle of confusion? You might be confused. Ken Rockwell never is.

-Ken Rockwell doesn't wait for the light when he shoots a landscape - the light waits for him.

-Ken Rockwell never flips his camera in portrait position, he flips the earth

-Ken Rockwell ordered an L-lens from Nikon, and got one.

-Ken Rockwell is the only person to have photographed Jesus; unfortunately he ran out of film and had to use a piece of cloth instead.

-When Ken Rockwell brackets a shot, the three versions of the photo win first place in three different categories

-Before Nikon or Canon releases a camera they go to Ken and they ask him to test them, the best cameras get a Nikon sticker and the less good get a Canon sticker

-Once Ken tested a camera, he said I cant even put Canon on this one,thats how Pentax was born

-Rockwellian policy isn't doublethink - Ken doesn't even need to think once

-Ken Rockwell doesn't use flash ever since the Nagasaki incident.

-Only Ken Rockwell can take pictures of Ken Rockwell; everyone else would just get their film overexposed by the light of his genius

-Ken Rockwell wanted something to distract the lesser photographers, and lo, there were ducks.

-Ken Rockwell is the only one who can take self-portraits of you

-Ken Rockwell's nudes were fully clothed at the time of exposure

-Ken Rockwell once designed a zoom lens. You know it as the Hubble SpaceTelescope.

-When Ken unpacks his CF card, it already has masterpieces on it.

-Rockwell portraits are so lifelike, they have to pay taxes

-On Ken Rockwell's desktop, the Trash Icon is really a link to National Geographic Magazine

-Ken Rockwell spells point-and-shoot "h-a-s-s-e-l-b-l-a-d"

-When Ken Rockwell went digital, National Geographic nearly went out of business because he was no longer phyically discarding photos

-For every 10 shots that Ken Rockwell takes, 11 are keepers.

-Ken Rockwell's digital files consist of 0's, 1's AND 2's.

-Ken Rockwell never focus, everything moves into his DoF

-Ken Rockwell's shots are so perfect, Adobe redesigned photoshop for him: all it consists of is a close button.

-The term tripod was coined after his silhouette

-Ken Rockwell never produces awful work, only work too advanced for the viewer

-A certain braind of hig-end cameras was named after people noticed the quality was a lot "like a" rockwell

-Ken Rockwell isn't the Chuck Norris of photography; Chuck Norris is the Ken Rockwell of martial arts.

-Ken Rockwell never starts, he continues

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Lol!

[Michael Slade]

Lol!

It's funny 'cause it's true.

[DaveInDenver]

Here's a fun Ken Rockwell fact list.
Funniest thing I've read all day.

James, put "Ken Rockwell idiot (or moron)" into Google. It's almost as funny to read what people who don't like him say as the original source material itself.

[H2O_Doc]

We all want a good price, but one thing to remember is that the camera vendors are working on a slim profit margin on bodies and sometimes lenses. If you see a price below 15% of MSRP, its probably being sold below cost. If memory serves, I think a lot of the Canon and Nikon gear is discounted a little less than 10% to the retailer (I used to sell). When you see a price that is much lower than retail you run the risk of getting a grey market product that will carry no buyer protection in the U.S. Also, the independent camera stores are being driven out of business buy cut rate vendors (but that might not be your concern and I'm not trying to preach here).

For sure, if your buy from the internet use http://www.resellerratings.com/
most of the really inexpensive sellers can be found here and almost all have horrible ratings. Be aware, they change names often.

One thing I do to save a little money, and do with even my higher grade equipment, is buy refurbished. I have never had a problem with a refurbished item. If you do similar, please be informed. I just offer that as an idea.

[OFRD_GRL]

resellerratings is one of my favorite sites. i use it to look up "google companies" too when i buy anything.

i like to help out local shops. but at the moment this is gonna be our second dslr in house and would love to save money on this one LOL we got the last one locally with all the extras.

[Lost Canadian]

Una why not go with a Canon if you already have one in your house? You could save money by not having to buy the lenses your husband already has or you could take that money and invest in different lenses increasing the range of your system.

[JackW]

I know a bunch of pro photographers and all them recommend B&H - I've spent a fair amount of change there myself and I'm not a pro. I've also used KEH and Abe's of Maine - my uncle who used to run a professional portrait studio always recommended Adorama.

There are a lot of flaky equipment dealers out there but if you stick with the big 3 - B&H, Adorama and KEH you can't go wrong.

[OFRD_GRL]

Una why not go with a Canon if you already have one in your house? You could save money by not having to buy the lenses your husband already has or you could take that money and invest in different lenses increasing the range of your system.
funny you say that...

the last day or so, i think we have decided to do that. i just gotta re-learn where all the settings/etc are on a canon. i am SOOO used to nikon DLSR's that its gonna take me a bit LOL

i played with his menu and options extensively the other night, and it actually has more options than the nikon at the same price level so....

thats probably what were doing.

[OFRD_GRL]

down at englewood... but englewood what?

[Rob O]

down at englewood... but englewood what?

Guessing Englewood Camera in Littleton (http://www.englewoodcamera.com/)

[OFRD_GRL]

ahhhh thanks.

im still a kinda newb to the CO area so... LOL forgive me :D