Digital camera sources?

kamagong

kamagong

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2001
Messages
10,894
I'm going to buy a digital SLR for my fiancee for her birthday present next month. She wants a Nikon D90. Can you guys recommend a good (reputable) online site that sells cameras? Thanks.
 
Suggest you go www.dpreview.com. You're lucky that you already know what you want! Lots of good information there. B&H always gets good marks by people there. Good luck.
 
I always buy from www.bhphotovideo.com or www.adorama.com

I used to only shop at B&H but then at some point they started using some extra CC verification step that wouldn't work in any browser I tried. That's when I started shopping at Adorama. I don't know if B&H still does that extra step: I haven't purchased from either site in a while.

I've spent way more money at both stores then I'd ever care to admit and never been disappointed: service is always quick. I've never had occasion to return anything so I can't speak to that aspect.

I'm also looking to pick up a D90 body later this year to replace my D50 body. I will buy it from one of the two above stores.

You're a good boyfriend! :thumbup: :D
 
I've never had trouble with B&H. www.keh.com is GREAT for used stuff. Never bought anything new from them, but for used they are the best. I've bought "bargain" rated lenses from them and couldn't see a single thing wrong with them. Very trustworthy.
 
One extra note of caution: beware any retailers selling for deep deep discounts. You may be getting Nikon Japan instead of Nikon USA or other "gray market" items which will be cheaper, but provide you no domestic warranty.

More info can be found here or here or by Googling "Nikon Gray Market" or "Nikon Grey Market"

Basically, make sure the place you buy from is an Authorized Nikon Dealer and that you are buying the Nikon USA product. B&H and Adorama both are Authorized Dealers but I think they also both offer the Nikon Japan products at discount. They are clear about what you are getting though: just read the product description and when you have a choice between two D90's that seem identical, don't pick the one that costs less ;)

I say all this assuming you are in the US. If you are not, I have no idea how the warranty/distribution channel works.
 
Thanks all.

Children, thanks for the advice. I actually found this out last week when I was thinking of ordering a D90 at an online site for significantly less than it was everywhere else. It was only after I called and asked a few questions that I was informed that the body was the Japanese model, and that all the controls were in Japanese.
 
www.bhphoto.com and www.arlingtoncamera.com are the most reliable dealers I've delt with. www.buydig.com and www.butterflyphoto.com are usually the cheapest. While very reliable, if you have to return anything or have any issues, butteryfly and buydig are not as well known for the customer service. For Customer service, Arlington Camera is the best. You can deal directly with the owner and he participates on allot of the forums such as texas photo forum, dpreview, etc.

Jason
 
kamagong said:
Thanks all.

Children, thanks for the advice. I actually found this out last week when I was thinking of ordering a D90 at an online site for significantly less than it was everywhere else. It was only after I called and asked a few questions that I was informed that the body was the Japanese model, and that all the controls were in Japanese.
Click to expand...

Be sure and ask when you call inquiring about a lens or body if it's "Gray Market" or not. Gray Market meaning that it wasn't intended for US sale and has less or even a lack of any warranty.
 
Another recommendation for B+H and Adorama.

Also a warning. NEVER buy anything camera related from a Brooklyn, NY based seller.

Every last one of them (other than B+H/Adorama) is a rip-off/scam.

In fact, there are only about 10 or so actual sellers that constantly advertise under different company names. Look at the ad pages of any US photography mag, over 1/2 the ads are from these jokers.

This is a fairly well known thing in photography circles.

They advertise much lower prices than anywhere else, but unless you're willing to buy ridiculously overpriced accessory packs (or items normally included in the box like the battery + charger) with your purchase, the camera is suddenly out of stock. If you are willing to buy the accessory packs, you'll actually pay more than if you went with a reputable seller in the first place.
 
Last edited:
the only place I truly trust is www.bhphotovideo.com

Best service
Quickest shipping
Good prices (used to be highest...but now are more reasonable)
Honest retailer (no shenanigans)
No bait-n-switch
No ridiculous prices for filters/accessories/etc.


I've purchased through many of the others listed above (as well as 17th Street Camera)...and have yet to be scammed...but it was because I went in knowledgable and confident and said no to all the extras they tried to heap on.

I guess I'm getting older and wanting to be pampered more...and fight less...B&H is easy...just click and buy. No hassle.

It's kinda crazy...but they really are the single best camera retailer in our country.

That said...I have a Canon 5D MKII on order from Ritz...:foot:

But only because the waiting list for B&H is closed. I think I'll probably cancel the Ritz order and just wait for the 2nd shelving at B&H.

Best of luck with your quest!


Dan



p.s. anybody mention ebay? :eek:
 
I've been along time B&H user and have had no problems with them. Just recently, however, I noticed that an outfit from Amityville, NY called Cameta Camera ( www.cameta.com ) was receiving some positive reviews from the DPReview forum members. I checked them out and found that the camera I was looking for was over $300 cheaper than at B&H. According to their website all their equipment is non gray market gear with the full USA warranties. Their shipping charges may be a little on the high side, but I came out well ahead in the end. Placed my order late on a Saturday night, and the camera was in UPS's hands by Monday afternoon. I' m curious if anyone else has had dealings with them. They're a brick and mortar store and live humans answer the phone when you call.
 
I've purchased from cameta...it was a few years ago and they gave me the bait-n-switch routine. I went with it anyway...but have never gone back. Perhaps things have improved?
 
Believe it or not I've recently bought two digital cameras from Staples. Their prices are competitive and I like to be able to handle the device before buying. From what I've seen of their line, they focus on the mid-market models. Great selection of automatics, compacts, and sub-compacts in the $200 - 400 range. I don't know if they carry Nikon D90's.
 
I would recommend as some here already have, BH photo. I have done business with them almost exclusively for nealy 10 years, when it comes to lighting, SLR’s , lenses, etc. great company easy to deal with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top