Buy Photo Gear?

Winter, Colorado Rockies

 www.dennismook.com

Are you in the market for some photography gear?  Do you want to buy a new camera?  Do you want to buy another lens? Do you want to upgrade your tripod?  Is there an accessory that you read about and want?  In any case, there are some things to think about before you make the leap.

I recommend you first answer these questions before spending money on equipment.

a)  Do I really need this or do I just want it?

b)  What do I hope to accomplish with this purchase?

c)  How often do I anticipate using this acquisition in the next 12 months?

d)  Should I buy it new or used?

e)  And again, do I really need this or just want it?

f)  If I think another piece of gear will make me a better photography, I'm probably mistaken but a new piece may allow me to make different types of photographs than I can make now.  Which am I after?

Answers
a)  You probably want it rather than need it.  That is okay.  Just recognize that fact.

b)  Think this through.  What goes along with this purchase as far as photographic education, preparation, practice, taking time off from work, travel, etc.  Are you willing to commit?

c)  I hope you are really going to use this rather than sit in your easy chair in front of the television handling and admiring your new purchase.  Also, and this is very important, if you need a piece of gear for a once or twice a year type photo outing, rent it instead of buying it.  You will save yourself some money.  Also, rent it if you want to try it out before buying it.  A lot of people will do that.  Its like taking a test drive in a car before buying it.  I have two reputable places that rent all kinds of photo gear listed below.

d)  I buy most of my gear used.  There is nothing wrong with that if you know how to go about doing it.  Lots of money can be saved if you do your research and buy smart.

e)  Need!  Want!  Need!  Want!  You need eat, sleep, breath and drink water.  You don't need much else to live.  Oh!  If you don't pay your taxes, you won't need to worry about eating, drinking, sleeping or breathing.  The Federal government will take care of that for you!

f)  Don't buy something because you think it will make you better.  Read my other posts if you want to get better.  If you want to make photographs in a different way than you do now and your current equipment will not allow you to accomplish that, then be my guest.  If your old gear is worn out and broken, be my guest.  If you don't have photo gear and you are getting into photography, be my guest.

Here are some establishments from where I have purchased my photographic gear for years and years.  I have never had a bad transaction from any of these sources, but I know what I am doing.  You should too before you buy.

New Equipment

First, if you have an honest to God camera store in your area, shop there.  The prices may be a bit higher, but the counsel and advice could be invaluable.  There is someone in that store than can answer any question and guide you in your photographic endeavors.  That is worth the few extra dollars you will spend.

I don't count Best Buy as an honest to God camera store.  My experience with their clerks is that if happen to get one that has some knowledge, a) chances are that he or she won't be there next time and, b) he or she doesn't know as much as he or she should and I can't really count on their advice as being the best.  Also, their selection is pretty pitiful compared to a real photo store.  Patronize you local store or it may be gone soon.

The retailers' prices, listed below, are very, very similar.  You just have to see who has what in stock and who you have to pay sales taxes to and who ships free.  The equipment is basically the same.  Don't buy "gray market", it isn't worth it.  Gray market is when a retailer brings equipment into the country through unauthorized channels.  For example, a retailer may buy official imports from Nikon USA but get unofficial imports from a distributor in England.  That equipment he gets from England is gray market.  In Nikon's case, pray nothing goes wrong as they will not fix it under any circumstances--even paying them if it is still under warranty.

B&H PhotoVideo  (New York City)
The best as far as I am concerned.  Even if you call and ask questions, they will not try to upsell you something you don't need.  In fact, my experience has been the opposite.  If I have a question about a purchase and they think that they carry something less expensive and as good quality, they will advise me.  I have spent countless thousands with them and have never had a bad experience.  They are terrific.  I have been to their store in NYC.  Jeez!  Heaven!  Mostly, free shipping on items.  Check, however.

Amazon.com  (All Over)
If you know what you want, are an Amazon Prime member, you can purchase the article and get it shipped free in two days.  They don't have quite the selection as B&H, but they have a lot and they are quick.  I don't hesitate to buy from Amazon.  They have a 30 day return policy.  I have used it and it is painless.  I have never returned anything to any of the others.

Roberts Camera (Indianapolis) 
You would think this was a mom and pop store.  Excellent people.  Big selection and good prices.  I have bought some expensive gear from them and it was like dealing with someone I knew personally.  They become your true friend and care about you and your purchase.  Highly recommended.

Adorama   (NYC)
Another excellent NYC retailer.  I have purchased a lot from them over the years.  Highly knowledgeable and highly reliable.  I've never had a bad experience with them.  They are very much like B&H, almost interchangeable.  But I have never called them like I have B&H, but I suspect they would treat me the same.


Used Equipment

KEH Camera Brokers   (outside of Atlanta)

This is an excellent retailer.  I have purchased many used items from them.  They grade their items worse than they really are.  In other words, if something is in good condition, that usually means it is perfect.  They buy, sell and trade in all kinds of gear.  I usually check them first before I buy new.  If I can't find it from them, I'll buy from one of the above retailers.  I've never had a bad experience with them.

Ebay   (Virtual)

No explanations needed here.  I have never had a bad experience, but I do my homework, check the last couple of years worth of seller ratings, don't buy from overseas, only use PayPal, etc.  During the bidding process, I normally will email the seller with questions a couple of times to judge the responses I receive.  Caveat Emptor!  If you do it right, you can land some real bargains.

Gear Rental 

LensRentals
Borrow Lenses

I don't have any experience with either of these places but have heard many pros exclaim what a good experience they have had when they needed a piece of gear.  If you don't think you are going to use a piece of gear regularly, rent it.  That will save you a bunch of money.

Those are the places I normally use.  I have bought from others on occasion, but the above places are my normal haunts for acquiring gear.

Enjoy!

Thanks for looking.
Dennis Mook