Buying Photography Equipment, Where??

[CEK40]

Good Morning to all,

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I was wondering where most of you purchase your photography equipment? Do you go to a store such as Best Buy, SAMS Club, Target, etc., do you have a local photography shop you are close to, or do you purchase online???

I live in the Hampton Roads area of VA and there is not a good photography shop close, but we have all the other stores that sell cameras and equipment. I have never ordered anything online really, so I would like to know someplace that I can trust.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

CK in VA

 

[photo_chick]

I order from B&H, Adorama and Newegg online (yes, Newegg sells some camera stuff too!). For used online I get pretty much everything from KEH.com.

 

[handicap18]

I get the majority of my camera stuff at amazon.com. I've also ordered from Adorama and B&H. I've gotten good deals on memory cards from Newegg.com and Buy.com

 

[alloyd1170]

What I do is for the camera , I go to a store that carries a few models that I have researched online. I try them out in the store (take some shots-bring your own memory card to pop in it, take some shots and view them at home), get a feel of it in your hands, etc. Best Buy is really the only store in our area that has a good selection. We don't have any camera only stores (ie Ritz or small biz). I also shop around online for the best prices from reputable dealers.

For other camera gear (ie lenses, filters, bags, etc) I look for the best deal from my favorite stores and go from there. For local shopping, I head to Best Buy. I know the photographer staff somewhat as I've chatted them up from time to time. Some know their stuff, others just sell it. I like Best Buy because I get reward points and certificates to use. They're not always the lowest priced though. A few times I have printed out a screen shot from say Amazon and taken it in. I ask them if they can meet Amazon's price and that I prefer to buy from Best Buy. Many times they have agreed to do it, and then I add in my reward certificates and come out much lower than any online site. I also like the fact that I can buy online and have it shipped to the store for free for pickup, etc.

My online favorite is B & H Photo Video. They have some great deals, free shipping most times and it's fast delivery. I want to visit the actual store someday as it looks amazing online! A photographer's heaven.

I have also gone through Amazon, Adorama, and even Ebay (if the price is right). I've looked at KEH as well. Many sell refurbished gear too.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I get all my stuff online at B & H. They have excellent Prices, selection and customer service. I highly recommend them.

Good luck,
~Marlton Mom

 

[disneyboy2003]

Another vote for B & H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com) and Adorama (http://www.adorama.com).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

B&H, Adorama, Amazon and a local camera store in MN are the main 4 I use. We still have an excellent camera shop here in Reno that I'd love to use but they don't carry Sony.

 

[mom2maggie]

B&H for me too!

 

[GrumpyGoat]

I've purchased at both B&H and a very good local professional camera store. I think I've spent more at the local store than anywhere else. This has garnered me a bit of good will in that I don't have to put down a deposit if I want to rent gear from them.

 

[KCmike]

Amazon. For me they always have the best price but with that being said I will buy local as well to support the brick and mortar stores. Typically Best Buy is not a good deal anymore. They have little competition and it looks like they have raised prices over the last few years. I view B&H and Adorama but have never purchased from them. I am a Canon shooter and enjoy photography-on-the.net/forum/. The posters buy and sell to each other. Very similar to disboards but for Canon cameras.

 

[manning]

Free shipping and no sales tax.