Where’s the best place to buy a camera or other photo
equipment? With so many options now, how is someone supposed to know where to
start?
Obviously when you start shopping you should check out
options and prices on the internet. Now be careful when you are looking at a
particular product, be it a camera, lens, or other photography equipment, that
you know what you are getting. When I bought my Canon 5D Mark II, I found sites
that offered Canon 5D Mark II at really low prices, from Asia. They are call “knock
off” products for a reason. They tell you they are the same, but the quality is
usually lower AND (important point) there is no manufacturer’s warranty from
Canon. So Lesson 1: Make sure
you know what is being sold.
Lesson 2: Purchase from a reputable dealer. You CAN get great deals
online. I purchased my camera used through Amazon.com. It actually was being
sold by a pawn shop out west. It was an amazing deal. Because it was through
Amazon, I had their guarantee policy. So as soon as it arrived, I tested the
entire camera out and found that there was a row of dead pixels in the sensor.
I contacted the seller and told them I would either return the camera, or they
could pay for the repair work to be done by Canon. They agreed to pay for the
repair work, which was $250 dollars. (Actually they credited the $250 back to
me and I paid Canon). BINGO! I had a perfect camera totally repaired and
certified by Canon. I only paid $1500
for the camera body including the repair. I already had Canon DSLRs so my
lenses transferred to the new camera.
I almost always check Amazon first when looking for camera
and accessories because most of the major camera equipment stores sell through
them, and may offer better deals through Amazon than on their own websites such
as B&H or Adorama. When you look at something on Amazon, see where it is
being sold from. If you look up an L-series 24-70mm lens today, there are a bunch of
used ones being sold from Japan. I’d stick with stateside purchases. Check out
some used dealers also. One I trust is KEH.com. Also check in Rangefinder or Professional
Photographer magazines for dealers. 
Lesson 3: Get great deals at trade shows at the national photography
conferences. When I attended the WPPI convention a couple years ago, I spent a
lot of time at the trade show. I learned a lot and made some great vendor
connections I’m still using today. I also found fantastic deals, most which
were good for 30-60 days after the convention. This is how I bought my Westcott
studio light package. I saved about 50% of the total retail cost. I also
purchased template software for albums, photo collages, and marketing materials
for a fraction of the normal cost. Beside all the valuable training and classes
and interaction with great photographers, I was able to make great purchases,
and plan for future purchases. (It was at the Canon booth that I learned that I
wanted a 5D Mark II and L-series lenses to regain the quality I lot switching
from medium format film to digital. So when I was ready to purchase, I could
spend time looking for a great deal.)
The most important thing to remember when making photography
equipment purchases is (Lesson 4) that YOU are the most important piece of equipment that
will determine how your images turn out. Save BEFORE and buy when you can pay
cash. While you are learning, you don’t have to have the best equipment. Learn
to use what you have now to make great images. Then when you can afford to
upgrade, you will be that much further ahead.
