Where to Purchase Lens

[Cplofdisneynutz]

Just got our new Sony Alpha 100k in 2 days ago!! Very excited and can't wait to use it @ WDW next month. We are looking into buying a Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4 lens. It has a lot of good reviews for functionality, but the price is always in the cons (about $349 new). Our question is where do you guys buy your lenses? Do you ever buy used? If so where is a reliable source? Are there any "lower cost" sites (other than ebay) or sites to stay away from?

Thanks guys

 

[Furgus]

I buy my stuff from:

B&H
Adorama
Buy Dig
Amazon (sometimes you can get a better price through them, even though they may be coming from one of these other store, but check the review on places if they are shipping form a store you have not heard of)

a little camera store where I live.

All of these places are good to deal with, and I would not hesitate to send anyone shopping there.

Good luck

 

[Geoff_M]

Unless the price differential is extreme (and it rarely is, if at all), I buy from my local camera dealer. I feel it's in my best long-term interest to keep them, and their inventory of camera accessories and related items, around for when I find I need something "right now".

If you don't have a local dealer handy, I'd recommend a couple of other smaller "local" stores with very good on-line service reputations and pricing: Norman Camera and Roberts Imaging. Both can be found by Googling.

As for used, I've purchased used before from KEH Camera Brokers (they're on-line). They are highly reputable and their wear grading is VERY conservative.

 

[jann1033]

the last few things i bought were from digital foto which i originally got to from amazon but they also have their own site...the service was great as were the prices and so far no problems...the other places not mentioned are sister site to buydig, beach camera and i have bought one lens from JR, i just check for the best price from a place rated well on resellers...
i do agree with geoff though, it pays to have a good local shop although my 2 have a stinko stock of lenses and accessories ( mostly promaster which i don't understand, maybe due to the price?), i try to use them for other things as much as i can

 

[Gdad]

I agree with your reasoning and wish I could say the same thing. I have two independent local stores and they are both way higher than B&H. Just last week I tried to buy a Nikon MC-30 remote cord- $60 shipped from B&H. One of my locals wanted $89 and the other wanted $99 for it. One hung up on me and the other offered to 'split the difference' when I asked them to meet the B&H price. I would love to support them but I have a hard time justifying paying an extra 30% to do so. I consider B&H a completely legitimate retailer- not like I was asking them to match some price I saw on Ebay or something.

Unless the price differential is extreme (and it rarely is, if at all), I buy from my local camera dealer. I feel it's in my best long-term interest to keep them, and their inventory of camera accessories and related items, around for when I find I need something "right now".