skip to main content

Has anyone bought a camera online?

16 years ago

If you have which site have you used? I have started looking from addresses in the photo mags I get but I get overwhelmed when going over all the info. I want to buy a Nikon D80 Kit and have seen several sites but am unsure since I am spending so much money...

Any tips, links, suggestions would be great!

Thanks

Sy

Comments (14)

bean_counter_z4
16 years ago
I bought my camera online, Beach Camera. Wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Saved more than $150. First I visited one of the online camera review sites that list vendors and vendor ratings. They had a 800 number so I called and placed my order. Quick service, everything as advertised. Local stores in my area never have what I want. They can special order but it costs a lot. I trust my MasterCard company to intervene if something goes wrong.

Bought a lens from amazon.com last month.

I would never buy something that expensive from ebay. Just MHO.
zitro_joe
16 years ago
cametacamera.com does LOTS of business and has good reviews. I bought my camera bag from them adn one of my cameras. They run their business form an ebay storefront.

Check the business here:
http://www.resellerratings.com/
Related Discussions
Anyone bought online trees from arbor day foundation?
Q
Comments (31)
" I got a Dawn Redwood from them in the Spring of '10. It was about a foot tall and the top half died. Nonetheless the tree survived and is approximately 19' tall and looks great. I'm not sure I'd go back and buy from them again though as I'd rather get a more advanced specimen than what they send." Aw man, no pictures?!?! Neat tree. What made you decide on it? My metasequoia came from them a decade ago. Best $10 I ever spent. Honestly for these fast growing trees I dunno if I would risk the transplant trouble and shock of buying a 20 gallon tree. Musser sold me 100 of them a few years back. All were just slightly larger than my Arbor Day single tree and every one of em leafed out. For fast growing easy transplant species with a good story Arbor Day is really ok. Dollar for dollar they MIGHT even compete with for profit nurseries. You just have to have realistic expectations what $10 is going to get you. And yes, be aware big government may help fund the department of conservation trees I have ordered by the bundle.
...See More
Has anyone bought the Kodak camera & docking station?
Q
Comments (1)
You may want to check the link below. I found it very helpful when researching digital cameras... TJ Here is a link that might be useful: Digital Photography Review
...See More
Has anyone bought a Diamond from Blue Nile.com?
Q
Comments (26)
I'd like to second what pebbles said about GIA certificates. At the higher end of the diamond world, stones are traded based strictly on certificates. They are that important. I'm another one who did a good deal of research a few years back. The way the market is structured, there are cities such as Antwerp and NY and sources in Russia and Israel where the market is centered and the best stones are traded and cut. There are wholesalers who buy stones, make up the rings and then sell them -- even to the high end stores like Tiffanys and Cartier though those often have exclusive styles. Harry Winston has their own workshop upstairs above the store where they make some pieces. But if you are going for a stone larger than 2 carats and with good cut and color -- pebbles again is quite right, chances are you are not going to do very well outside a big market. Even some discounters here have trouble getting larger stones of good quality. Many local jewelers are clueless about diamonds no matter what they say. The industry is structured on fixed pricing per carat, clarity and color. There's a publication used in the wholesale market that determines this and changes weekly or monthly (can't recall). Then there is cut, which is an eye thing developed only by extensive looking and relationships with the 'better" dealers who get the better stones. Point is, there are regional diamond centers in big cities such as Chicago and elsewhere, plus the online folks. With every layer of distance from the source there is an upcharge. Pebbles also makes a really good point about resale. The only fallback anyone has is to buy the best color, clarity and largest carat size you can afford from a name jeweler such as Tiffany, Cartier, Winston, Bulgari etc. as these command a premium if you resell them at auction. But you will pay retail and those brands command premium prices. I had a Cartier engagement ring that I resold at auction after many years and got a good price. But it was registered there with a number and I had retained the original invoice that stated the specs. I had worn it a lot and the engraving had worn off so I took to to them and they reengraved their name in the ring It was a pretty ring and I was able to sell it at auction advantageously because it was a prestige brand. But that's the only reason to pay retail (though styles go in and out of fashion and even values of the prestige brands fluctuate accordingly). If you are going for a larger stone than 2 carats then I would recommend a ton of research and asking everyone you know so you can get through the chain and as close as possible to the source. It might also be a good idea to check around on jewelry auctions where engagement rings are sold with certificates as you can sometimes do a bit better. My youngest brother got engaged two years ago. They had shopped extensively and he really knew his onions, plus the style she wanted and what he could afford. By making the right wholesale connection and shopping in NY (i.e. in a source market) rather than in Arizona or California, he was able to buy a ring that was a carat larger with the same color and clarity, and a better cut within his budget. The dealer was happy to deal with him because he knew exactly what he was buying and knew how good the price was and didn't dither over making the decision.
...See More
Has anyone used an online color consultant?
Q
Comments (19)
This is Twyla. She is amazing. http://colorviewconsulting.com/ When I was doing consultations full time, I did the same prep for online consultations as I did for onsite. Had to get most of the work done in advance because it's too much to do at appointment time. There's a max of 2 hrs on site and about 1 hr on line. At the 1 or 2 hr mark you start losing people because it's a lot of work. Even tho I managed the overwhelm and got all chaos under control before hand, there's still a lot of work to do. If I didn't do prep in advance, then I'd use up too much time assessing the scope of work, going over where they've been, what they've tried, and where they want to go. In other words, with every client there's a mental bandwidth budget and I had to spend our time together wisely. Appointment time had to be about ideation and actionable items and it didn't matter if I was physically in your kitchen or if you were in your kitchen online Skyping with me. Your smartphone, monitor, laptop, tablet, all use a VERY small color space called sRGB to display colors. What that means is the number of colors a device is physically able to display is a SUPER tiny fraction of the number of colors we can see in real life. Therefore, when people claim that they are able to see "undertones", extraordinary color details and nuances, it is pure hyperbole. Fact of the matter is, it is impossible for average devices to display a wide gamut of color. A wide range of colors, alleged undertones, and detailed color aspects are just not there see. They’re not there for ANYBODY to see – experienced designer, gifted eye, trained eye, or whatever. Photos are good for getting a sense of light/dark value balance in a space, contents in the room, volume of space, and fenestration. When you use spectral data like Twyla does, you look at the room, light, and contents from a different perspective. Every space will offer up clues about the quality of light you have to work with. Because it's color DNA, the process for interpreting those clues is the same whether you're on site or working virtually -- the process, the system for developing custom color strategies is the same. Ultimately, the final color decisions have to be made by the homeowner. If I did my job defining and explaining the best options, then I didn't need to be standing in the same room in order for them to make them. Hope that helps.
...See More
alisande
16 years ago
Reseller Ratings is a great resource.

I've bought cameras happily from Amazon (multiple times), B&H (bhphotovideo.com), and Newegg.
iowagirl2006
16 years ago
I have had great luck with Newegg.com I have purchase a couple camera through them, and recommened them to others with good results.

It does pay to shop around though.

Often NewEgg throws in a 1GB card with the camrea. Great deal.
kentuck_8b
16 years ago
I went to Pricegrabber.com.

They compare all products and you can narrow down your research by selecting what particular things you want on your camera.

They have reviews on their products by consumers, and also reviews on the stores where the products were purchased.

You can view products sellers from lowest to highest price.

I bought my Nikon Coolpix5700 after researching it on their site, and finding the cheapest online price.

Good Luck

Kt
ntt_hou
16 years ago
2nd for Beach Camera. These guys have been around a looong time, way before the age of digicams. Price and services are good. I've purchased camera accessories from them too.
sydneydavis
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for all the different links, suggestions and feedback. I don't remember if I mentioned I have been looking through Popular Photography mag's and found the first links there. I have a canon PowerShot A85 that has worked great for a long time. Last time [maybe a year ago] I came here and got lots of help someone - Maybe Joe- gave me links and info on more things I could do with that camera. So I have had lots of fun and improved a bunch on photo 'how to's' but it slipped out of my hand a while back and I broke the little silver ring covering the lens area where it zooms - I think it probably also protects the lens a bit along with just looking better! LOL Anyway since then I have been looking more seriously. I have have just gotten a new job and will will be able to afford a nice camera so thought I would take the plunge and get the 'Dream' Camera. I want to get as many perks to it on the first purchase as I can afford because I will also be using this for business so can deduct it. Thank goodness for that although even with being able to deduct it I stillneed to be able to pay for it!
Thanks again!
JoanMN
16 years ago
I also use NewEgg.com and B&H. And I ALWAYS check out any online sites at Reseller Ratings, as Joe suggested.
JoanMN
bean_counter_z4
16 years ago
Sydney, tell us what your dream camera is. Or maybe you haven't decided yet. I really like to hear about the cameras others have chosen. I had my 'dream camera' picked out and was ready to order, then something someone said changed my mind. Then I researched another one, same thing. So, I'm still looking, comparing, deciding.

Happy hunting
Marnie
zitro_joe
16 years ago
DREAM CAMERA!!!!! Here is mine -

it is on sale for $31,998.00.
ohhh yeah!

Realistacally; niko D80 and I am hoping thed new Olympus is everthing the company has promised. I have the $$, just waiting. If it is not, then I will get the D80
sydneydavis
Original Author
16 years ago
Mine is the Nikon D80. I have read lots and lots of good things about it...I need to understand more about the different types of lens. I've read what all it good but need/want to know why or the difference/advantage between lens that area step up from one another. I just keep reading and reading then come here and ask questions.

LOL Joe. I don't think the total price of all my cars have cost that much !..
minrose
16 years ago
The Nikon D80 is my dream camera also, please keep us updated on it. I have been asked to take wedding photos next June and I hope to have that camera for it by then. My sister has this very camera and she has taken 3 weddings with very good professional looking photos(she is self-taught just like me). She also took a homecoming coronation with great results. Let us know, as I would like to get this camera also but am worried too about buying online with that kind of money.
sundownr
16 years ago
Another vote for bhphotovideo.com I've purchased from them several times and their prices and service is great. So is newegg.com

Good luck!
maineman
16 years ago
Hi all,

Well, as long as it's just a dream, mine would be the Nikon D3. But I could "settle" for a Nikon D300. OK, that's just a dream too. Realistically, my entry level (I still don't have a digital camera) choice will probably be a Nikon D40X with a AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens.

MM

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

LIGHTING So You Bought a Cave: 7 Ways to Open Your Home to Light

By Alison Hodgson

Make the most of the natural light your house does have — and learn to appreciate some shadows, too

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Entryway Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a smashing first impression with just one or two affordable design moves

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Guest Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make overnight guests feel comfy and cozy with small, inexpensive niceties

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Living Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Spiff up your living room with very little effort or expense, using ideas borrowed from covetable ones

HOME TECH Watch It! New Cameras Let You Video Chat, Stay Secure and More

Wouldn't it be great to have a single camera for home security, checking pets, chatting online and making videos? Now you can

REMODELING GUIDES One Guy Found a $175,000 Comic in His Wall. What Has Your Home Hidden?

By Mitchell Parker

Have you found a treasure, large or small, when remodeling your house? We want to see it!

KIDS’ SPACES Who Says a Dining Room Has to Be a Dining Room?

By Becky Harris

Chucking the builder’s floor plan, a family reassigns rooms to work better for their needs

Houzz Gifts: 31 Finds for the Chef Who Has Everything

Delight serious cooks with the latest in kitchen gadgets, accessories, cookware and small appliances from Houzz

Sponsored