Where to buy from

[jenn-]

Where do you all purchase your stuff? We almost got burned online last year when we got our newest camera, so I am leary of using unrecommended sites. Who has great legitimate deals?

 

[Miss Kelly]

I buy 99% of my gear from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

[minie_meese]

I use bhphoto too. They are great. Never had a problem - everything is always well packaged and comes as advertised. They also have a selection of used equipment. I have purchased used lenses from them and always been very happy. I have 3 friends at work whop also use them and are very happy. Their prices may not be the cheapest you will find but I always know I will be happy so I don't look anyplace else.

 

[tinksdad]

Ditto what Miss Kelly says! BH Photo are on first name basis.......

 

[SharonLowe]

B&H all the way. And, if you join NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals - http://www.photoshopuser.com/) you get free shipping, which can pay for the membership if you order enough. (No matter, you get their great Photoshop Users magazine plus lots of other stuff on line - well worth it. Tell them Sharon Lowe referred you if you decide to join.)

 

[Gdad]

B&H is great- I have also bought a lot from Adorama and 17th Street Photo with absolutely no problem.

 

[ukcatfan]

I think the best online places are B&H, Adorama, and Buydig/Beach Camera. The last two are sister sites and you can tell by the site layout, but sometimes they have different prices. They are just as honest as B&H and Adorama, but they do have a re-stocking fee if you return something for non defect reasons where I do not believe the other two do. That has never been an issue with me b/c when I order something I already know that I want to keep it. I have purchased three times through them with no problems.

Kevin

 

[Marinerbaby]

B&H for all of my camera equiptment. Only once have I had a problem and they replaced it without a problem and no hassle. They have great customer service.

I do use a different company for lighting and backdrops but for camera stuff it's B&H.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I do use a different company for lighting and backdrops but for camera stuff it's B&H.

Ditto. I buy my lights from Alien Bees and backdrops from Silverlake. I do purchase my seamless paper from B&H though.

Ps. I love your work Ruth!

 

[jann1033]

this is the third time i have bought from buydig.com or beach and once again they have shipped it out before 24 hrs have passed...i ordered Tues at 9 am and they shipped at 12:54 am Weds adn in this case it was $115 less than b&h's price( $15 less than even the used one b&h had)..should arrive today if fedex does it's job . i've been happy with b&H but sure can't complain about buydig either

 

[Groucho]

Honestly, I'll buy from Beach over B&H/Adorama any day. OK, their site is a bit shoddy, but their prices are low and they ship fast and they ship free. They're also responded to any questioning emails I've sent very quickly.

As for the other two, I prefer Adorama just because their site is better. (Specifically for looking through lenses, instead of B&H's frustrating way of completely segregating the "film" and "digital" lenses.) Of course, Adorama hasn't sent me an enormous photography catalog like B&H did, but on the other hand, they don't send me more general catalogs that go right in the recycle bin like B&H do, either.

 

[Gdad]

Of course, Adorama hasn't sent me an enormous photography catalog like B&H did

Ahhh- I love that catalog.

 

[Geoff_M]

Here's two great Mid-western retailers that have great people that'll actually answer questions on the phone and their prices are often very competitive with the NYC "Big Boys" (in fact it's not hard to find items that are cheaper):

Robert's in Indianapolis They web site isn't the best, so call them if you have questions. A lot of professional photojournalists from around the country use Robert's for the quick service and decent prices.

Norman Camera in Michigan They're also my local shop. They sell all over the World.

 

[jann1033]

just a footnote...fedex strikes again...last 2 times they delivered to the wrong address, once next door( i could understand that as we share a drive) once down the street,&yeah good thing the recipient didn't know it was a $500 item that was supposed to be signed for . this time they shipped it back to where it was weds night instead of putting it onto the truck to me..called and even the rep couldn't figure out what was going on so i may get it today, i may get it monday( after it has been sitting in a distribution center an hr away for 5 days)
moral of story don't ship fedex.....( unless it is just in Oh they have problems)

 

[jenn-]

I have had that problem with Fedex too. They delivered something 3 doors down. Luckily the box had our phone number on it and the lady was thinking it was the FedEx # so she called it and got us instead. Their customer service sucked too when I reported the missing box.