Who do you trust?

12 years 11 months ago #56227 by AJ8S
So I've been thinking of buying a new lens. I only have the kit lens and I want something else. So I'm price surfing and all these sites have different prices. Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Calumet... So who do I trust? I would think a lens coming from it's manufacture...Canon, Nikon etc.. they be the same price across the board.


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12 years 11 months ago #56249 by Nod
Adorama, B & H, Calumet, Butterfly Photo, KEH are all good companies and can be trusted. As far as price goes as I understand it, they can all charge as MUCH as the market will bear, but cannot sell at a price lower than the manufacturer sets. That's why when you see it advertised at a very low price, there will always be a catch. Don't fall for it, Before you buy from anywhere check out the vendor's rating @ www.resellerratings.com


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12 years 11 months ago #56363 by effron
You listen to NOD, he speak truth............

Why so serious?
Photo Comments
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12 years 11 months ago #56401 by Baydream
I personally buy mostly from B&H because of the "trust" issue. They have been upfront with me and never let me down. They also indicate when a lens is a US or Import version. My club has an "affiliate" relationship with B&H that returns a 2% "commission" to the club for purchases linked from the club website. When all things are equal, that pulls the chain.
Adorama has also been good to me and I plan to look into KEH.
Nod is so correct in checking a dealers' ratings.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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12 years 11 months ago #56445 by Scotty
bh and ghost busters.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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12 years 11 months ago #56469 by Nod
BayDream-- KEH handles used stuff but when they say something is in "Good" condition, you can bet it is in "Excellent" condition. They are very trustworthty on used equipment. I've purchased several things from them and have never been disappointed .


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12 years 11 months ago #56501 by Graflex 4x5
I've been dealing with Adorama, B&H and KEH for years (more like decades) and have never been disappointed.

Adorama and B&H are a couple hrs away so if can't wait a day or 2 for something I can jump in the car and make a day trip. If you're in NYC make it a point to stop in and see B&H's new store ... Impressive!

No matter how fast I go, there's always someone slower in front of me.
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12 years 11 months ago #56508 by Screamin Scott
Don't trust anyone over 30...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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12 years 11 months ago #56509 by Baydream
The great thing about the net is saving the big NY sales tax.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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12 years 11 months ago #56547 by Stealthy Ninja
HK shop called Kinefoto. A local shop called Sunning (only one branch I trust because I sorta know the guy there).

Just to make you guys remember that there's a world outside the U.S. :p
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12 years 11 months ago #56719 by Graflex 4x5

Stealthy Ninja wrote: HK shop called Kinefoto. A local shop called Sunning (only one branch I trust because I sorta know the guy there).

Just to make you guys remember that there's a world outside the U.S. :p


The businesses asked about are US based, and have North American warranties for the products they sell.

The price would have to be really great to make up for the 10+ days for shipping from Hong Kong and the optional North American warranty.

No matter how fast I go, there's always someone slower in front of me.
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12 years 11 months ago #57244 by ilh2009ky
I use BH Photo, Adorama, and KEH primarily for cameras and associatyed equipment like lenses, tripods, etc. I've heard that Calumet and Abe's of Maine are also pretty good (although I haven't personally used them). For smaller type stuff, check out Outdoor Photo Gear. They run great sales from time to time. One example is a year or so ago, they ran a special on the Gepe Extreme Card Safe case which holds memory cards. Normally priced around $20, Outdoor Photo gear had a buy one get one free sale making the effective price $10 per case.

One other key thing, if you are looking to buy lenses, make sure to checkout Fred Miranda's website ( www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/ ). I won't buy any lens without checking out Fred Miranda's reviews.

Ian Leslie Harry
www.ilhphotography.com

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12 years 11 months ago #57406 by Stealthy Ninja

Graflex 4x5 wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote: HK shop called Kinefoto. A local shop called Sunning (only one branch I trust because I sorta know the guy there).

Just to make you guys remember that there's a world outside the U.S. :p


The businesses asked about are US based, and have North American warranties for the products they sell.

The price would have to be really great to make up for the 10+ days for shipping from Hong Kong and the optional North American warranty.


Well you get international warranties for most lenses bought in HK (grey market aside). Not bodies though.

Anyway, I was just answering thread question: "who do you trust?" Since I've never bought from any of those websites. I can't answer honestly with one of those websites.
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12 years 11 months ago #57408 by Joves
For used glass I go to KEH and Used Cameras. For new I pretty much buy from B&H. The way glass prices have been I look more to used.


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