Retailer recommendations

[mabenoab]

I'm new to this forum, so Hi!!

I've been researching digital SLRs and I'm pretty sure I'm leaning towards the Nikon D70s. I've seen a variety of prices online, and before I buy, I thought I'd check with some experienced Disers to see if there is a particular online store that is better than others. My question is this: where do you purchase your photo equipment?

Thanks for your help,

 

[ukcatfan]

I think you will find that the regulars around here will give Buydig, Beach Camera, B&H Photo Video, and Adorama high marks. I have not heard anything bad about them. I have personally bought from all but Adorama. Buydig and Beach are the same company, but the prices are sometimes different.

If you are only pretty sure, do you want any of us to chime in on what brands and models we prefer?

Kevin

 

[YEKCIM]

A quick pricegrabber search shows that, if you are looking for the D70s body with 18-70mm kit lens, Beach/Buydig have it in stock, new. I believe the D70s, along with the D50, are discontinued, although there are still a few here and there, to be had, new. Your body only choices seem a bit more limited.

~YEKCIM

 

[BFL]

I like B&H but also check out Costco (I bought my DSLR there just for the return policy).

 

[Anewman]

If an etailers price is much lower than Buydiy/beachcamera dotcoms, I would be cautious.

BHphoto and Adorama have great Customer service, but the prices can be a bit higher.

 

[mabenoab]

Thank you for your help! I've done the searches too, and am putting together my spreadsheet. I would really appreciate any feedback. I've looked at the Canon EOS, and that seems great too. I'm primarily shooting nature & landscapes, although I'm just beginning portraiture (and stock). What I like about the Nikon D70 are several features: the three color modes, the sharpness & clarity, the value per cost, and the ease of use (perhaps thats just from a familiarity with Nikon cameras). However, regardless of what I've read & studied, I'd really like to hear from folks who've actually used the camera and/or others and see what you all think. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I think you will find that the regulars around here will give Buydig, Beach Camera, B&H Photo Video, and Adorama high marks. I have not heard anything bad about them. I have personally bought from all but Adorama. Buydig and Beach are the same company, but the prices are sometimes different.

If you are only pretty sure, do you want any of us to chime in on what brands and models we prefer?

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

Thank you for your help! I've done the searches too, and am putting together my spreadsheet. I would really appreciate any feedback. I've looked at the Canon EOS, and that seems great too. I'm primarily shooting nature & landscapes, although I'm just beginning portraiture (and stock). What I like about the Nikon D70 are several features: the three color modes, the sharpness & clarity, the value per cost, and the ease of use (perhaps thats just from a familiarity with Nikon cameras). However, regardless of what I've read & studied, I'd really like to hear from folks who've actually used the camera and/or others and see what you all think. Any help is greatly appreciated!

No matter what camera you get, you should consider shooting in RAW. That would eliminate the need to worry about color modes, sharpness, and so on. Any DSLR is good, but there are some that are better than others at certain things. For example, my Pentax K100D is a nice fit for me and it has nice high ISO performance. Also, I could not afford any IS lenses from C&N, but my camera has it built in the body. I sacrifice having a fast burst mode, but that is not something that I needed. People that go Olympus benefit by having a 2x crop factor that is nice for telephoto work, but they sacrifice being able to go really wide and have a little more image noise than others.

It sounds like you really want to go Nikon, so I want to ask if you have considered the D50? It is a step down from the D70, but has better high ISO performance.

Kevin

 

[Geoff_M]

I couple of great competitive midwestern photo shops I'd recommend are Norman Camera in Kalamazoo, MI and Roberts Imaging in Indianapolis, IN. Both places have great reputations, they're price competitive with the NYC "big boys", and they actually don't mind talking to you on the phone when you have questions (what a concept!!!). Both places have websites as well as brick-n-mortar outlets.

 

[DueyDooDah]

...I thought I'd check with some experienced Disers to see if there is a particular online store...

Goto http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14999

(Ignore the Canon logo, it's really a Nikon D70. Trust me. )

 

[mabenoab]

LOL! LOOOVE the camera, but you knew I would, didn't you? a little out of my price range though...

someday, someday!!

Goto http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14999

(Ignore the Canon logo, it's really a Nikon D70. Trust me. )

 

[YEKCIM]

...and Roberts Imaging in Indianapolis, IN.

I can second that; Roberts is where I got my 70-300VR. Their price, at least on that item, was very good, and the service exceptional. One thing I would point out, though, is that their policy is that they will only ship to the address on your CC, and the delivery is "signature required".

~YEKCIM

 

[safetymom]

I use Hunts, B&H, Adorama.

 

[jann1033]

nothing really new to add but if you've used film slr you might have lenses to fit a digital...

well something new i guess is i also bought from j&R, usually expensive but best price for one of my lenses so worth a look and recently bought from what i was afraid were 2 fly by nights... digital foto club( how corny can you get with a name?) and ace ...i bought via amazon for ace but think the above are the same store as the wrapping was the same( and the tape said "vet supplies",, what are the chances) but got both with no problems and same time as I got it from anyone else. both had decent customer ratings as well. d. foto club was $20+ less for my 70-200 lens than anyone else, and while usually the photo stuff i ordered from amazon came via a third party, neve had a problem with them or any of their other shippers either. also newegg was fantastic

 

[mabenoab]

Ok, now I'm back to the drawing board. You mentioned Pentax, and it reminded me that I'd done no research into the Pentax DSLRs...and my favorite SLR camera of all time is my old, beat up Pentax K1000. So now I'm comparing that, to the Canon, and the Nikon D50. Thanks so much for your input, you're helping me to make not only the best retailer decision, but the best camera decision as well. I really appreciate it.

No matter what camera you get, you should consider shooting in RAW. That would eliminate the need to worry about color modes, sharpness, and so on. Any DSLR is good, but there are some that are better than others at certain things. For example, my Pentax K100D is a nice fit for me and it has nice high ISO performance. Also, I could not afford any IS lenses from C&N, but my camera has it built in the body. I sacrifice having a fast burst mode, but that is not something that I needed. People that go Olympus benefit by having a 2x crop factor that is nice for telephoto work, but they sacrifice being able to go really wide and have a little more image noise than others.

It sounds like you really want to go Nikon, so I want to ask if you have considered the D50? It is a step down from the D70, but has better high ISO performance.

Kevin

 

[Jeanne B]

Kevin did a nice job of subtly mentioning the K100 . It's definitely worth considering, I have this camera and I've been very happy with it and since you already have a K1000 (or at least that's what I'm assuming based on your statement) you may very well have lenses that will fit the K100.

 

[AndrewWG]

Has anyone here used http://www.bestpricecameras.com? I just searched around the site and the camera bundles seem relatively cheap. Makes me think I can afford a DSLR anyways. I won't be in the market for one of them for awhile yet though...

 

[YEKCIM]

Has anyone here used http://www.bestpricecameras.com? I just searched around the site and the camera bundles seem relatively cheap. Makes me think I can afford a DSLR anyways. I won't be in the market for one of them for awhile yet though...

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Best_Price_Cameras_6

Run away! Run F-A-R away! These guys are well known as scam artists. Stick with reputable online merchants such as B&H, Beach, Buydig, Adorama, Amazon, Buy, etc, etc. Always double check the feedback and ratings on resellerratings.com before buying from anyone you are not sure of.

~YEKCIM

 

[AndrewWG]

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Best_Price_Cameras_6

Run away! Run F-A-R away! These guys are well known as scam artists. Stick with reputable online merchants such as B&H, Beach, Buydig, Adorama, Amazon, Buy, etc, etc. Always double check the feedback and ratings on resellerratings.com before buying from anyone you are not sure of.

~YEKCIM

Thanks Yekcim! I thought it was a strange deal overall. They have a very strange business practice. Cheap camera prices, overall. Lenses don't seem to be all that great in their "package deals". All that and they would only charge me about $200 for a "high speed" 2gb SD card.

I thought I would ask since they are the first thing that came up on my Google search and I had thought I smelled a rat when browsing their site.

Thanks again.

Andy

 

[YEKCIM]

Typical ploy, from all I've read is that their "low" advertised price is literally for the camera only...no battery, strap, manual, etc., other items included by the manufacturer, for which they then charge an exorbitant price. I don't know how a place with those kind of business practices avoid prosecution.

~YEKCIM