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I miss going into camera stores to test gear


4 years 9 months ago #649988 by Jackson Rieger
I'm totally enjoying the change of times with technology.  However one thing I miss is going into the camera store to test out a zillion camera bodies or lenses before making a purchase.  A couple buddies and I had a discussion about how we all have made recent purchases from reading reviews only.  When  the camera, lens or camera bag comes in the mail, that's the first time laying hands on such item. 

Kind of sad to see all the small mom and pop shops shutting down.  

Just saying. 
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4 years 9 months ago #649989 by Nikon Shooter

Jackson Rieger wrote: Kind of sad to see all the small mom and pop shops shutting down. 


I always encourage buying from your local store, even
when one must wait a few days for a special order; the
smaller shops can't hold everything.
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 9 months ago #650002 by Kyle O
I would, if price was close and I didn't have to drive 100 miles to get to the store. 
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4 years 9 months ago #650018 by Jackson Rieger
Sounds like someone needs a road trip to B&H!
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4 years 9 months ago #650020 by Nikon Shooter
B&H is not really a family run local store… or is it?
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 9 months ago - 4 years 9 months ago #650023 by komeith
You could go into your local stores where they have the cameras on display and try them out to see which you like best, than ordering that same one for cheaper where you find it cheaper.
Its what I do.
Down in San Antonio, there is a Camera Exchange shop where i can test things out, see if there is something similar near you.
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4 years 9 months ago #650147 by Finn
No it's not, it's a machine.  Far from family business. 
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4 years 9 months ago #650188 by Fran Welch
Now i'm sure I'm a lot newer to photography than many of you, however I can see what you are talking about with many of stores I use to go to in other areas.   Now a good 75% of my shopping is done online.  Even with clothing, online retailers make it easy to try on or return for any reason. 
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4 years 9 months ago #650285 by Chester Foster
I'm very happy with not having to deal with lines.  
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4 years 9 months ago #650531 by Moe
Yeah, but it’s all about timing.  I just don’t have the time. But then again, if there was store close to me, that would make a difference. But as it is, I have to drive like 1.15 hours just to get to a store. Nope, online for me.  
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4 years 9 months ago #650556 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Jackson

Agreed - yes over the past 50-years or so I have enjoyed wandering into the bricks 'n mortar shop and handling the goods, putting a 'new' lens onto the camera and testing it out there & then

Back in 2003-4 when I went from film to digital, it was critical to me to be able to hold each of the 3 contenders ... to find the one that fitted my fingers & eyepiece the best [they all had similar specs otherwise]

BUT this is great for city-slickers ... not country people

As I tour Downunder-land, I meet people who are 1000km from the state capital and maybe 400km from the largest town in the region that might have a camera shop - or a camera section within a chain store, and this makes it very difficult to choose what's 'best' ~ so other options need to come to the forefront

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
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4 years 9 months ago #650731 by Duncan K
Road trip to B&H, good one!   For many that will be one heck of a drive.  
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4 years 9 months ago #650767 by Ian Stone
Move to NY, you can walk to B&H or Adorama any day of the week.  Well most days!  
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