<font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif">Bryan,</font></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif">Yes, I too have bought stuff from Adorama and B&H. I had not heard of Ace Photo Inc, but you say that they are good. I will need to check them out. I am looking into buying Canon 550D (I understand you do not like Canon), but I am unable to find a store which carries it so I can use it and compare it with 7D, also a support staff which is knowledgeable. BestBuy was of no use, the guy I spoke to had not heard of 550D or T2i and had to check his computer to tell me that they were out and it would be stocked by Tuesday.</font></font></div>
<div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif"><br></font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif">I am not sure if I have been to RitzCamera, but I will visit it tonight and Ace over the weekend.</font></font></div>
<div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif">Thanks</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif"><br>
</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000099"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="verdana, sans-serif">-GGR<br clear="all"><br>--<br>Rajiv G Gunja<br>Blog: <a href="http://ossrocks.blogspot.com">http://ossrocks.blogspot.com</a><br>
</font></font>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 2 April 2010 13:49, Bryan J. Smith <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:b.j.smith@ieee.org">b.j.smith@ieee.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
I usually buy mail order -- Adorama, B&H Photo, Buy Dig / Beach Camera (who<br>
are great if you catch a good sale when they have them) -- official, trusted<br>
resellers of USA/full warranty, non-grey market. Sometimes I use Amazon,<br>
although be wary of some of their marketplace resellers.<br>
<br>
But one time I had to pick up a lens to use the very next day. In that case, it's<br>
well worth it to make a trek over to Ace Photo near Dulles. Yes, I know, not<br>
the most ideal drive, but they are friendly, let you use things before you buy,<br>
aren't that much from the best mail order (with official USA/full warranty dealers,<br>
non-grey market), etc... Well worth the drive IMHO, pick off-peak traffic hours.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://acephoto.net/" target="_blank">http://acephoto.net/</a><br>
<br>
<attitude=on><br>
I'm a tad biased though. I only own KAF systems. You can't just go to a local<br>
Ritz camera and buy anything but "kit" lenses and the "cheapest" bodies --<br>
which they mark-up horrendously, even well beyond list price. They do this so<br>
they are the same price as the equivalent Canon and Nikon models, who heavily<br>
subsidize their storefronts (so why not?). Many reps also put me on the<br>
defensive really quick, without me even saying a thing.<br>
<br>
Ace Photo reps deal with a lot of people, from novices to amateur-expert (of<br>
which I'm trying to reach myself) to the pros. They are not far from mail order<br>
in prices in many cases. And even though they don't sell as much K mount stuff,<br>
they do appreciate what I'm asking for.<br>
<br>
Like when I walked in looking for the DA* 200 f/2.8[1] on July 2nd of last year.<br>
I was catching a flight to use it the very next day at a race[2].<br>
<br>
They had it for under street price, within $100 of mail order, they let me use it<br>
and, even though they were busy, were talking to me about how they've never<br>
seen a fast 200mm focal in only 5". They also asked me about how I liked having<br>
a fully weather sealed system -- and we talked about how I live in Florida, and<br>
my K20D+DA*[3] combos have taken 5 hours of monsoon-type raining with it (even<br>
though it's only rated for 2 hours continuous). They were interested in hearing<br>
about a system they themselves don't shoot with, but do occasionally run into<br>
users of.<br>
<br>
It's that type of hands-on option and friendly, peer, respectful discussion and<br>
questions. I don't feel the need to say anything negative of Canon or Nikon. But<br>
every time I walk into Ritz camera for a little accessory, there's at least one (if<br>
not both) reps putting me immediately on the defensive.<br>
<br>
Although every now and then I get a good chuckle. Like the time one guy saw<br>
my body and said, "I've never hear of that brand. But we can upgrade you to a<br>
Canon or Nikon."<br>
<br>
And I just responded, "oh, the name is derrived from prism reflex as they created<br>
the system."<br>
<br>
It was clear he didn't understand WTF I was talking about, yet anyone who deals<br>
with cameras should. ;)<br>
<br>
Others have hear of it, and keep thinking back to the "student" K1000 camera.<br>
They think it doesn't have many features, when even entry-level is the opposite[3].<br>
And yet others like to say, "oh, it's not a pro vendor, they don't make full frame."<br>
No, they don't ... they just make a 40MP medium format instead of limiting<br>
themselves to 35mm -- not too bad for a "small" vendor. ;)<br>
<br>
[1] <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Lenses/Lens-Test-Pentax-SMCP-DA-200mm-f-2.8ED-IF-SDM-AF" target="_blank">http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Lenses/Lens-Test-Pentax-SMCP-DA-200mm-f-2.8ED-IF-SDM-AF</a><br>
[2] <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebs413/sets/72157620845106641/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebs413/sets/72157620845106641/</a><br>
[3] <a href="http://www.neocamera.com/feature_compare_weather_sealed_dslr.html" target="_blank">http://www.neocamera.com/feature_compare_weather_sealed_dslr.html</a><br>
</attitude><br>
<br>
________________________________<br>
From: Rajiv Gunja <<a href="mailto:opn.src.rocks@gmail.com">opn.src.rocks@gmail.com</a>><br>
<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
Hello,<br>
Does anyone know a Camera shop/store in and around Columbia? I know Best<br>
Buy has cameras, but they are not the best around. Thanks<br>
<br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br></div>