. Ya think?
The first thing to do is decide on what specific gear to buy. The next question is about locating killer deals at great prices. That answer has three parts:
There Are Options Other Than Buying Retail
You want to buy from an online merchant that you trust. Trust! Who might that be, you wonder? If you want to figure it out yourself, go to PriceGrabber’s Merchant Rating Service and read the reviews given by other buyers.
When dealing with online merchants, watch for certain warning signs. If you notice any, that should indicate it’s time to look for another merchant. Just two of the numerous possible red flags are: a pushy sales representative; and offering great prices on the main item, but have it bundled with accessories that are over-priced.
The Big Guys Are Big For a Reason
There are numerous top notch cameras on the market today… part of why it takes so long to reach a decision. So unless you want to spend a month deciding on a brand, bottom line – go with either Canon or Nikon.
Do You ALWAYS Have To Buy NEW?
If you’re comfortable buying used photo gear, you can get some great deals. In addition to eBay, there are plenty of excellent sources for used photo gear.
Craig’s List is especially good because it’s local and therefore you can meet the seller and therefore test the equipment before you buy it. Find a local area of Craig’s List, by “Googling” them.
eBay and Craig’s List are not the only choices. There are several other online options…
- Some photography stores carry NEW and USED gear, often providing a 30 day (or more) warranty. Check for a Used Equipment section on their sites or search Google for online merchants who dabble in used
- Search Google for online stores dealing exclusively in used gear
- Photography Forums, such as Fred Miranda have an active Buy/Sell service
After obtaining your perfect photo gear, it’s time to focus on your ultimate objective and find out how to capture some amazing photographs with it.