Where did you purchase your DSLR?

[Ballatician]

There seems to be a wide range of prices for the two main cameras I'm looking at (Nikon D40, Canon Rebel XTi) so I'm wondering what stores/sites did you use to buy your camera and accessories?

I went to a proper camera store today and saw the Nikon D40 for $649 with the 18-55mm lens and the XTi for $699.

Best Buy in store on the other hand had the same D40 kit for $499.

Ecost has the same kit for $399! http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Ca...on/25420/34864034.aspx I feel like this is a really good deal on this camera...

I'd be interested in buying a warranty as well so my purchase kind of depends on which places have extended warranty programs. I don't think ecost does...so any suggestions?

 

[Brainonska511]

My mom got it for me as a gift, but I believe she ordered it through Amazon.

I have bought stuff from Berger Brothers (B&M on Long Island), Beach Camera (internet), and Adorama (internet) as well.

 

[troytime]

i bought my d80 kit at circuitcity.com with a 15% savings coupon found on ebay and 3% cash back at fatwallet

 

[AndrewR]

There is a reason why eCost price is so low. Do you know that adage that starts, "If it seems to be too good to be true..."?

The difference between a local camera store and Best Buy is that you can actually get help from a local camera store from someone who is a photographer, as opposed to the Best Buy drone who barely knows what a real camera is and probably would stumble actually attaching a lens to a DSLR.

If you want to buy online, stay with the big shops (Adorama, B&H are the two biggest) and always, always check resellerratings.com if you find a store you've never used before. There are plenty of other places which are just fine, but you need to protect yourself with some research first.

[edit] I bought my first DSLR online with...buydig.com? I can't actually remember. I bought my second from a Click Camera store in north Dayton. I bought my third (2nd Sony A100) on clearance at Circuit City. I've purchased accessories online (Adorama, B&H), in big retail stores like BB, in smaller camera stores (chains and otherwise), and from individuals on Craigslist, Ebay, and at dyxum.com (online haven for Minolta/Sony users). I'm an equal opportunity shopper.

 

[ThePresence]

I generally buy all my equipment from B&H.
Camera body, lenses, studio setup, etc.
I bought a lens from Abe's of Maine, but I probably paid more than I should have.
Bought a couple of small things from Adorama.

 

[foghorn67]

Rebel XT: Newegg (shipped)
Rebel XTi: Local camera shop (B&M)
30D: Samy's (B&M)
40D: Fry's (B&M)

I payed the usual street price on all of them except for the 30D, got a small discount. Sometimes, there are things that take precedence over price. However, it's a win/win if you get a good price and it meets your other concerns.

 

[vo]

E-10: here ... I am still learning about DSLR but love it

 

[andylawcc]

got mine from amazon thru a 3rd party reseller.

Otherwise, I would have shop at possibly J&R (jr.com) or BHphotovideo.com.
Newegg doesn't have the best price (finally) on SLR equipment. plus they are in Cali and tax is gonna be a raping, when JR and BH are both in NY/NJ.

I also see tons of advertisment to Beachcamera.com (which owns buydig.com) and this forum seems to endorse them. They do have better prices in some items, compare to JR and BH.

 

[skulkingghost]

newegg

 

[jpeyton]

Craigslist; I've gotten a lot of great deals on used bodies and lenses on there.

 

[compman25]

I just bought the D40 from eCost, I knew their reputation at resellerratings and figured I would take a chance. I can always dispute the charge if I need to. It will be here on the 7th. I'll know then if it was a bad deal or not. Adorama has the remanufactured D40 for $399 also.

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: compman25
I just bought the D40 from eCost, I knew their reputation at resellerratings and figured I would take a chance. I can always dispute the charge if I need to. It will be here on the 7th. I'll know then if it was a bad deal or not. Adorama has the remanufactured D40 for $399 also.

did they call you to "confirm" (and upsell) yet?

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: troytime

Originally posted by: compman25
I just bought the D40 from eCost, I knew their reputation at resellerratings and figured I would take a chance. I can always dispute the charge if I need to. It will be here on the 7th. I'll know then if it was a bad deal or not. Adorama has the remanufactured D40 for $399 also.

did they call you to "confirm" (and upsell) yet?

They never did call, but I don't know if that's because I used my business name and address or what. It has shipped though.

 

[ElFenix]

fwiw, i haven't had any problem ordering memory cards from ecost. well, other than the fact that you'd have to find the card you wanted in a list of like 50 other flashing things, and that they add a processing charge for 'free' shipping. but the price was right and the cards worked.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Craigslist; I've gotten a lot of great deals on used bodies and lenses on there.

did you have to inspect it first? or most of the deal you see are generally in good condition?

My only fear with used/second-handed stuff from Craiglist (or anywhere for that matter) is the end-user abuse or accidental damage that occurred. Since I am a noob, I have no idea how good (or bad) the len/body is even if they are on my hands.

 

[cputeq]

Pentax K200D, $713 with priority shipping from Amazon.com

 

[TheDrake]

D40 from BB used 10% coupon

 

[randomlinh]

300D = Fredmiranda forums (guy in NJ)
20D = POTN forums (guy in St Martin)

the only new thing I have is an 85 f/1.8 I got from a dell deal for like $280 I think.

 

[nace186]

Just bought a K200D with lens kit from WolfCamera for $736. Originally it cost $799, but with paypal 5% off and fatwallet 3% cash back, it lowered the price.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
did you have to inspect it first? or most of the deal you see are generally in good condition?

My only fear with used/second-handed stuff from Craiglist (or anywhere for that matter) is the end-user abuse or accidental damage that occurred. Since I am a noob, I have no idea how good (or bad) the len/body is even if they are on my hands.

Risk versus reward.

Does the reward (financial incentive) of purchasing used equipment outweigh the risk (damaged equipment)?

For me, if the price is right, I'll take that risk. Of course, I lessen that risk by testing everything first. Regardless of whether I'm buying a used camera or lens, I'll test all the important functions and inspect the item visually for any marks that would indicate major damage.

Lenses: check both front and rear elements under direct light; view internal glass for fungus, excess dust, metal/plastic shavings, fogging, or other damage; check aperture blades for oil; check focus and zoom rings for smooth movement.

Cameras: check shutter actuations (using EXIF data); inspect body for damage; attach lens and test all major settings; take sample images and check image quality; shoot white target and check for sensor dust.

I usually take my laptop with me when I go buy a camera, so I can check the image files on the spot. Craigslist purchases almost never come with a warranty, so don't hand over your money until you've done a little legwork.

 

[The Stigenator]

I got my 40D from BBY.

 

[yllus]

Ebay.ca

 

[twistedlogic]

Just picked up my Nikon D40 Kit for $500 ($50 off this week) from Circuit City, it comes with a 2GB SD card for free, yay (~$30 value). I would have ordered online but didn't want to wait, . They offered a extended warranty, but it was too steep for my wallet. I was actually looking for a Sonly Alpha A200 (longer battery life than D40) but they didn't have any in stock or display.

I also looked at filters there but wasn't sure of the brand Sunpak.

Anyone use these?

...so any suggestions?

As AndrewR stated, stick with big stores like newegg, Adorama, and B & H. I was a bit iffy about ordering mine online cause I wanted a B&M store to return the camera just in case something was wrong.

As for which camera to choose (Rebel or D40), I've read the build quality is slightly better on the Nikon, but the Rebel is faster.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: twistedlogic
Just picked up my Nikon D40 Kit for $500 ($50 off this week) from Circuit City

Welcome to the fam!

No experience with that brand of filter, but shop around online and you can get a name brand one for the same price (Hoya, B+W, Nikon, Canon, Tiffen). Any 52mm filter will fit.

There are eBay sellers that sell authentic Nikon batteries for cheap; there are some decent third-party batteries too. I wouldn't worry about battery life since EN-EL9 batteries are so cheap.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
20D = POTN forums (guy in St Martin)

St. Martin? like, the island country in Carribeans?

and thanks jpeyton for the check list