Bang for Buck vs. Reputable dealers

<p>Hi folks,<br>

I am finally jumping into a hobby which may turn into a career and most certainly is a passion. I love this website and would like to request some newbie advice. I've read many posts and articles regarding beginner gear and appreciate what I've read so far. <br>

I have about $1000 to spend on my first setup and am looking for the most bang for my buck. Knowing I may want to put more into this than just a hobby eventually, I was looking at the Canon 50D as a "step up" camera. <br>

I found lots of online stores with deals on 50D kits, etc... My specific question is how can I ensure I am dealing with a reputable website when the deal seems a bit too good to be true. One example would be Primo Cameras. Everything I've read seems legit and they have pretty good reviews. Any advice?<br>

Thanks!<br>

Nick</p>

<p>That retailer has mixed reviews on <a href="http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Primo_Cameras">resellerratings.com</a> , 5.51 out of 10 for six months, compared with 9.44/10 for Adorama and 9.71/10 for B&H. When in doubt, stick with well known, reputable dealers.</p>

<p>Just read all the fine print before buying. If there's no red flags you should be fine. Also, if sounds too good to be true, then it probably is, but remember that with all the nw cameras being released there are some realy good deals out there. A 50D with a lens for under $1000 is very common now that the 7D has been released. If I had $1000, I wouldn't get the 50D as it will only leave you with enough money for a mediocre lens. I'd get a used 20D for around $350 and a couple really nice lenses. Maybe a 17-40mm L or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.8 for low light. Then save up for a telephoto zoom.</p>

<p>In terms of reputation, reliability, consistency, easy of resolving problems, AND PRICE, no one significantly beats B&H Photo on cameras, glass and most accessories. Adorama is my close next choice. Personally, I just like the shopping experience at B&H which is close to where i live so I pop in from time to time to poke around. <br>

Even if you save $20 with another company you find on the internet, what is the point? If something goes wrong it won't have been worth it. And if you save $100 over B&H, you can pretty much be guaranteed its a scam. <br>

For some items, other sources may be of value, such as for memory chips. <a href="http://www.newegg.com">www.newegg.com</a> is extremely reliable and has good prices--also great for RAM modules. Camera bags see <a href="http://www.ebags.com">www.ebags.com</a> for as good a price as any, although again, B&H is a simpler one-stop way to get the best prices from a reliable retailer.</p>

<p>When I do purchase equipment, it is either from a store that I know in my hometown, or from a place that they and several others have recommended to me. If a business is good, eventually they will create their own little web of satisfied customers which may eventually reach out to me. The electronic ads provide very little influence of choosing a business for an expensive item. It may interest me in the item, but I want people to tell me about the business before I choose it. </p>

<p>I would side with reputable dealers. My main considerations are reasonable business stability and experience, and responsiveness (basic customer service). The size of a company alone is not enough. </p>

<p>It has been my experience that if you can't affort it at <a href="http://www.keh.com">www.keh.com</a>, B&H, or Adorama, you can't affort it. (There are several others - this advise is not a slight against them).<br>

Be wary of sellers who offer the latest Nikon/Cannon/whatever equipment at a tenth of the cost... this is an obvious indication of a scam.<br>

Kris</p>

<p>Another vote for KEH, B&H, Adorama. I have dealt with all three and they are top notch. Any website that says they can better the price of any of those three, I'd be suspicious of. </p>

<p>Also, be sure you're not buying a grey market item, unless you're okay with that. The reputable dealers like BH Photo will tell you if it's grey market. That means that it's an overseas model and the US manufacturer will not honor the warranty. Usually the savings isn't enough to go this route vs. what it will cost if you need a warranty repair, so I'd avoid it personally.</p>

<p>another vote for B&H, Adorama, and www.resellerratings.com <br>

If I was buying now I would look closely at the new Canon 550D (T2i) but there are lots of good deals on the 50D</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you all very much for the input. Rather than learning a lesson some have learned the hard way, I think my plan forward would be to go with something used from one of the big 3 mentioned in a few responses.<br>

Re. "grey market"... this is new to me. I appreciate the tip.<br>

Thanks again!<br>

Nick</p>

<p>B&H is my camera store!</p>

<p>I wrote about some of the pitfalls to watch out for, from less reputable camera dealers on my <a href="http://www.slidescanning123.com/canon-lens-reviews/index.shtml">Canon Lens reviews</a> page</p>

<p>B&H, KEH, and Adorama as stated are all reliable. If I was spending a $1000 on my first set up and wanted the most bang for the buck I would by used on the auction site. There is always some risk involved and you usually don't get a warranty but the flip side is you will be able to get more for your money. Look at who you are buying from, how many transactions they have had, what their rating is and actually read some of the comments, if you do that you should be pretty safe and you will be able to stay closer to your budget. I don't know much about Canon and I am sure the 50D is a fine camera but with your budget you may want to look at something a notch or two down so you can afford to get some quality glass. Just a thought.</p>

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<p>"My specific question is how can I ensure I am dealing with a reputable website when the deal seems a bit too good to be true."</p>

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<p>If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are a lot of online and phone/mail order stores that are boiler-room bait & switch operations...con artists. Several have historically been located in the greater NYC area, particularly Brooklyn. They just change their name when they're found out by enough people, and morph into a new store. I learned this the hard way years ago when shopping mail/phone order. No web then, and the full-page ad in the photo magazine looked great to me.</p>

<p>Be aware that these scammers will load review websites with shill reviews saying how great they are. On sites like resellerratings.com, be sure to read the complaints. If they involve unwanted substitutions or upselling, avoid them.</p>

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<p>"One example would be Primo Cameras. Everything I've read seems legit and they have pretty good reviews. Any advice?"</p>

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<p>Yeah - google them. Then google any of the ones recommended here in the replies (above) and compare. My first choice is B&H; second is Adorama. I've also used 17th Street Photo and Cameta Camera with great results, but IMO nobody beats B&H's integrity, ethics, customer service and shipping. The pricing at these particular stores is about as competitive as you'll legitimately find. A pilgrimage to B&H is on my 'bucket list'. :) </p>

 

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<p>Thanks so much for all the positive feedback for Adorama - and just in case you haven't 'met' me yet, I am the on-line Customer Service Ambassador for Adorama, and delighted to receive your emails if you ever need after-sales advice or support.</p>

<p><strong>Helen Oster<br />Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador</strong></p>

<p >http://helenoster.blogspot.com<br>

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helen.oster@adoramacamera.com<br>

www.adorama.com</p>