[CALUG] Off Topic: Camera Store

[Rajiv Gunja]

Bryan,
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.

I am not sure if I have been to RitzCamera, but I will visit it tonight and
Ace over the weekend.
Thanks

-GGR

--
Rajiv G Gunja
Blog: http://ossrocks.blogspot.com


On 2 April 2010 13:49, Bryan J. Smith <b.j.smith at ieee.org> wrote:

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