B & H Photo Video

[zetachi]

Took my 1st trip to B and H yesterday :eek: Felt like the proverbial kid in the candy store.

Few comments. 1st man was it crowded. Not sure if it is normally that bad or that they have been closed for the Jewish holidays for 10 days or so.

For anyone that has not been it is an experience. Anything and everything you could possibly think of, dream of or want for photo/video/electronics.

I went in actually knowing that I was not going to purchase anything then and there, good thing because the checkout line was enormous.

Anyone that wants to try out equipment before buying and is in the area I'd recommend it.

I went in looking for a new camera bag and tripod.

Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. And looking out for customers best interests. Case in point I brought my camera equipment with me but they make you check big bags at the front desk. So I was carrying my Oly E510 with the 70-300 attached and had my 14-54 in my hand. I put down the lens when I was looking at tripods when I looked back where I left it:scared1:it was gone. Needles to say I was freaking out. Turns out one of the managers saw it there and picked it up to make sure no one walked off with it.
whew That was an experience I'd not want to repeat. Loosing a $400 lens.

Anyway looks like I'll be putting a Tamrac Velocity 7x and Induro at113 on the holiday list :goodvibes.

[Marlton Mom]

Great post! Thanks for sharing your experiences. This is on my list of things to do so your info will really help me out.

I was wondering.... do they let you take photos of the store/inside the store if you bring your own equipment? I was planning on doing a pilgrimage :teleport: and post pictures of my experiences here on the Dis Photography boards. I think that would be a great way to experience a "virtual" trip for those of us with "equipment acquisition syndrome".

Drool, Drool......

Marlton Mom

[zetachi]

Great post! Thanks for sharing your experiences. This is on my list of things to do so your info will really help me out.

I was wondering.... do they let you take photos of the store/inside the store if you bring your own equipment? I was planning on doing a pilgrimage :teleport: and post pictures of my experiences here on the Dis Photography boards. I think that would be a great way to experience a "virtual" trip for those of us with "equipment acquisition syndrome".

Drool, Drool......

Marlton Mom

No clue but then so many people are trying out cameras I'm not sure they would even know. I would have snapped some till I realized that when I took my camera out of the bag to check it there was no CF card in it :confused3

[MinnieForMe]

Does anyone take the insurance? It says it covers falls, drops etc... I don't expect to drop my lenses but one never knows with three kids in our household.

I've finally decided on a Tamron 28-300 for my Pentax and the Pentax 50mm prime. Anyone have any comments on the Tamron?

Thanks in advance.

Michelle

[alexi120]

I generally have a strict policy against equipment protection plans, but I took the bait on this one. It was only a 50mm 1.8 which you can pick up for 100 bucks, so the plan was only 10. I figured I'd be practicing a lot since it was my first lens...increasing the likelihood that I'd do something to damage it. I'm glad I did because I scratched the lens. The company they use was really easy to work with. I bought a new lens from B&H, sent the old lens (in the new box) to SageMax (sp?), and they cut me a check within days.

[Marlton Mom]

By the time most of you are reading this, I will be arriving at Mecca and fondling the merchandise..... That's right people, I'm making a pilgrimage to B and H! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Sometime Friday morning I'll arrive at the store and I'll have the chance to check out the Lowe Pro runner 450 and perhaps a Black rapid strapping system or two.

Maybe I'll mosey on over the the large format cameras and dream of the day my lottery ticket has the winning numbers.

Perhaps I will lust after the 10 foot tall carbon fiber tripod with peter pan head that is guaranteed to shoot over the heads of those last minute fireworks interlopers, you know, the ones with the screaming toddlers bungee corded to their necks.

Actually I have no idea what I'm going to do because I've never been there before.

All I know is that they close at 1pm on Friday and I have to drag my husband and son with me.

I think my husband is going so that I don't accidentally 'purchase' something that requires a home equity loan. My son just wants to go on the submarine next to the aircraft carrier that's near the pier that's near B and H. He's the easier of the two plus he carries the camera back pack. So what if he is developing rickets from the weight! ;)

I've checked my cameras and I have a fully charged battery and memory cards out the kazoo.

If I'm allowed to take pictures inside I'll be sure to post some "Camera store porn" ala "food porn".

It's going to be an expensive Christmas in Marlton Mom's house.... Mua Ha ha! :scared:

Marlton Mom
P.S. My husband says I can only buy a lens cleaning kit... I Think I'm going to ditch him at Penn station.

[littlekidagain]

Enjoy, I will be going there soon hopefully!

[mom2rtk]

Have a great time! Of course, doing so will absolutely require ditching your husband at Penn Station. You know.... to avoid any mundane discussion of budgets and such...........

Can't wait for photos and a trip report! :cool1:

Pick me up a fisheye while you're there, OK? Canon mount. You're a peach!

And since we're doing the dreaded 12/13 EMH in the MK, I'll also take one of those magical 10 foot tall carbon fiber tripods! :banana::banana::banana:

[Gianna'sPapa]

By the time most of you are reading this, I will be arriving at Mecca and fondling the merchandise..... That's right people, I'm making a pilgrimage to B and H! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Sometime Friday morning I'll arrive at the store and I'll have the chance to check out the Lowe Pro runner 450 and perhaps a Black rapid strapping system or two.

Maybe I'll mosey on over the the large format cameras and dream of the day my lottery ticket has the winning numbers.

Perhaps I will lust after the 10 foot tall carbon fiber tripod with peter pan head that is guaranteed to shoot over the heads of those last minute fireworks interlopers, you know, the ones with the screaming toddlers bungee corded to their necks.

Actually I have no idea what I'm going to do because I've never been there before.

All I know is that they close at 1pm on Friday and I have to drag my husband and son with me.

I think my husband is going so that I don't accidentally 'purchase' something that requires a home equity loan. My son just wants to go on the submarine next to the aircraft carrier that's near the pier that's near B and H. He's the easier of the two plus he carries the camera back pack. So what if he is developing rickets from the weight! ;)

I've checked my cameras and I have a fully charged battery and memory cards out the kazoo.

If I'm allowed to take pictures inside I'll be sure to post some "Camera store porn" ala "food porn".

It's going to be an expensive Christmas in Marlton Mom's house.... Mua Ha ha! :scared:

Marlton Mom
P.S. My husband says I can only buy a lens cleaning kit... I Think I'm going to ditch him at Penn station.

If you go on the aircraft carrier Intrepid, say hello to the F-4 Phantom that is on the flight deck for me. Its one of the birds I actually worked on when I was in the Marines. Have fun at B & H. The DW would never let me go without confiscating every form of spending document I possess!

[jeffb]

By the time most of you are reading this, I will be arriving at Mecca and fondling the merchandise..... That's right people, I'm making a pilgrimage to B and H! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:


Actually I have no idea what I'm going to do because I've never been there before....



Enjoy - it is one of the most amazing stores, there is nothing else quite like in the world. The sheer size and quantity of items gets me week at the knees when I am there.

[Marlton Mom]

Hey all!
I'm back with a 'trip report' from the B and H, um... Everything store in Manhattan NYC.

B and H is located near the Lincoln tunnel and Penn station areas of Manhattan, NYC.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5173680510_cc5262edcf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173680510/)
B and H You are HERE map (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173680510/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


We were total dorks but we didn't care. We were about to enter Mom's dream world. (Dad's too!)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5173075465_dd81738923.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173075465/)
Mom and Evan outside B and H (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173075465/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr

I have to say that it was awe inspiring. The efficiency and selection is hard to put into words but here goes. This trip report is going to sound like a total commercial for B and H but it really was that impressive!

First of all the store is packed, PACKED with every conceivable thing you could ever want. With that kind of volume, navigating to the merchandise could prove to be cumbersome. B and H took care of that problem with an excellent sign system.

The signs reminded me of an airport and they worked very well. There were employees everywhere and 100 % of them were very helpful and wonderfully nice. They had access to computers right where the merchandise was located so that information would be instantly available to provide any assistance that you needed. If you managed to stump an employee with a question they would immediately find another employee who would be able to help. This type of customer service is unmatched, especially these days!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5173679564_5c050069a6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173679564/)
Entrance to B and H (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173679564/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


The hands on displays for the camera equipment is much like your typical camera store. The thing that sets B and H apart is the sheer volume of the selection. Each manufacturer had a display area devoted to it's products and the entire manufacturers line was more than likely displayed. There were B and H representatives, well versed in that brand's models, available to help you with any question about the performance of the product. Shown here is the elusive Nikon D7000, which is starting to filter into retail stores in fall of 2010.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5173074359_39b58685e1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173074359/)
B and H Camera Display system (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173074359/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr

There were all varieties of merchandise out of their packaging and tethered to display units, just waiting for some hands on assessment.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5173677806_795ee31971.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173677806/)
B and H Merchnadise Display system (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173677806/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


Everywhere you went you noticed bowls of candy out for the customers. They were akin to imported Starburst candies and they tasted quite good. This was just one of the many ways that B and H went the extra mile to make it's customers feel welcomed.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5173072121_b326bc5bd8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173072121/)
B and H Candy Display system (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173072121/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr

When you were ready to make a purchase, a WALL of employees was available to serve you. With such a large volume of customers needing assistance, B and H goes the extra mile to communicate with the customer and show them which agent is available to assist virtually immediately.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5173675718_03ee7aa580.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173675718/)
B and H agents (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173675718/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


The customer's billing info is logged into a computer and their selected merchandise is placed into a bin with a bar coded ticket that hangs over the side for scanning by bar code readers. These bins are then transported to a check out area.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5173674728_18f911d913.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173674728/)
B and H Conveyor system close up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173674728/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


The bin conveyor system can be easily seen suspended from the ceiling and traversing from floor to floor.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5173069195_559623147a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173069195/)
B and H Conveyor system (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173069195/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


The bins eventually arrive at customer pick up where they are bagged and tagged after a computer indicates you have paid for your purchase.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5173068475_b32df33703.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173068475/)
B and H purchase pick up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173068475/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr

The range of camera equipment available covered the needs of the skilled professional to the preschool set.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5173671616_a505b99cd1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173671616/)
B and H hello kitty cam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5173671616/) by Marlton Mom (http://www.flickr.com/people/marlton-mom/), on Flickr


So there you have it. All three of us are still talking about the efficient marvel that is B and H. In the end I only walked out with a lens pen and a B and H T-shirt for my son but I did decide on the Lowe Pro runner 450 AW back pack system. Having the chance to climb into all of the models on my backpack check list certainly helped to firm up my decision. When Santa calls this Christmas I'll be sure and have him check out my wish list from this store.

~ Marlton Mom

[tlcmommyx4]

I just love your B&H trip report. I am very jealous:rotfl: I just wish I could go see this in person. I guess I should stay away or I would have to take out a second mortgage on our home:rotfl2::rotfl2:.

[ssanders79]

Very cool. I love that the D7000 is only $199 well at least in your pic :)

[mom2rtk]

WAY cool! And I bow to your self-control! :worship:

What an amazing place!

[Marlton Mom]

Very cool. I love that the D7000 is only $199 well at least in your pic :)

B and H's prices are great but sometimes a little camera magic helps to knock off a decimal place or two.....


WAY cool! And I bow to your self-control! :worship:

What an amazing place!

What self-control!!! My husband was following me everywhere I went. :confused3 I tried to ditch him with the 'ladies room trick' at Penn Station but he seems to have tagged me with a tracking device, perhaps one of those bar code stickers from the B and H bins.

You know how it is shopping with a 'crowd'.... I start to get in the zone, deep in thought comparing features and DH or DS would run up to me and say "Look! they have Hello kitty cameras!!!" like I needed to know THAT!

:)

~ Marlton Mom

[Snappy in OK]

I, too, am impressed with your self control. However, I can relate to having DH's influence on that! I would love to check out there store in person one of these days. I have been to NYC before, but it was before I really got into photography and before I had heard of B&H. Until then, I will dream about making the pilgrimage....

[ColleenG]

It's like you went home to the mother ship! I would love to visit them too someday. I'm only about an hour and a half from Manhattan. Being close is one of my justifications from ordering from them. What's the worst that happens with an order. I have to go into the city to the store! I think I would also need to have a winning lottery ticket in my hand to go in there. :rotfl:

[kmadams]

How neat! My sister-in-law joke that we are going to take a trip to New York just to see B and H Photo!! Thanks for posting this, I loved seeing the pictures.

[Suburbanmom]

I admit, I have been watching for this trip report. :)
It did not disappoint!!! Thanks!

[Docarino]

Love your trip report. I love trying out all the bags but I probably would have had to walk out with at least 2!

[Uncle Greg]

This place makes the big box stores look like a 7-11.

[nordkin]

I went to the store about a month ago, spent over three hours in there and came out about $1500 poorer. The store is awesome and the day I went the line was around the block when they opened just to get in. I go to NY often and am now going to have to fight the urge to go to the store. Did you know they actually have their own parking lot around the corner from the store?

[Marlton Mom]

I went to the store about a month ago, spent over three hours in there and came out about $1500 poorer. The store is awesome and the day I went the line was around the block when they opened just to get in. I go to NY often and am now going to have to fight the urge to go to the store. Did you know they actually have their own parking lot around the corner from the store?

Yes and if you spend 100 bucks in the store you get one hour of free parking. Just think, you could have spent 15 hours in there, but then you would have spent even MORE money, but then you could have parked for EVEN LONGER, but then you would have spent.... Oh never mind! You're lucky you got out when you did!

;)
Marlton Mom
P.S. We took the train.

[Marlton Mom]

I thought that I would post this over here.

Tips for shopping in store at B and H

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jax1023 View Post
Thanks for the advice everyone one! I will be at home in NY next week, so I will maybe take a field trip to B and H and look at some of these.


The family and I just took another field trip up to B an H today. My husband wanted a point and shoot (Canon Powershot G12) and I ordered a Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Backpack. This bag is huge and probably not what you are looking for but I wanted to pass along some B and H advice.

The store is really great for checking out bags. They have them on tethers so you can pull them off the shelf for about 3 feet and try one on for size and carrying position. However, what is missing from the sales floor are model specs like size and weight, tripod carrying ability and other info like customer reviews.

B and H can be a bit overwhelming due to the endless variety of the item you are considering. What I found works best for me was to go to the web site and narrow down the choices. I do that by looking at the specs and reading the customer reviews on the B and H site. The customer reviews are awesome because they will point out things that others have discovered about the product that you might not even realize may be important to you.

I'd look at the specs, especially for details like product weight. I knew that the Pro Runner 450 AW Backpack weighed 6 pounds but a used Lowepro Pro Trekker AW Camera Backpack bag became available that looked absolutely fabulous until I saw that empty it weighed in at 9 pounds..... PASS!

So it really pays to know before you go, or at least have it narrowed down.

The other tip I have is to grab one of those 10 pound B and H catalogs they have all over the store and use it to provide some of the details that are missing where the product is displayed. For some items, like bags and cameras the info listed in the catalog may be good, but for other items, like camera straps, the info in that catalog is poor.

Narrowing things down via the website at your home is really the way to go. Make a list of things you want to physically check out and then 'go to town' at B and H!

They also have a million people working the sales floor to assist you. They can access the catalog at their work stations but I don't think you can read the product reviews from their in house computer stations.

While I was waiting for DH to make up his mind (an epic story in and of itself!!! ) I spent a chunk of time looking at tripods in the catalog and then running over to the tripods on display. This was a pain because I didn't know exactly what I wanted and there were a Forrest of tripods for me to weed out. The tripods on the floor just had model #'s on them and no other info or specs! I could have asked for help from the sales rep but I just didn't want to go there and I decided I needed to do my weeding at home where I have all of the info via computer but none of the hands on ability that you get at the store. One day I'll go back to the store and start picking up those tripods, only the next time I will have a list with the model #'s and specs on me and have a plan.

Good luck with your bag search. I hope the above advice makes shopping that much easier.

Merry Christmas!
Marlton Mom
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