What’s Your Preference?

Quo Fan · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 11:53 AM

Ok, so not a trip to Israel or anything like that, my wife and I went to B&H in New York.

Back story:
My wife has been waffling about buying a long lens for her camera for almost a year now (she doesn't spend money quickly) and finally pulled the trigger on the Sigma 150-500 lens from B&H. The lens gets delivered, (free shipping) and she puts it on her camera to test it. Manual focus only. Now she is bummed. I suggest that we make a pilgrimage to the "holy land" and get it sorted. Well B&H is closed on Saturdays, a Jewish thing, being that B&H is run by Jewish people, and we had already planned to ride on Saturday.

Sunday rolls around, and we pack up some camera gear, the lens, and drive to New York. We exchange the lens, and then test it out. Same problem. No auto focus. We then venture into B&H and marvel at the fully automated operation before us. There are overhead tramways for the product to travel on, and lots of small green bins traveling on the tramways. We head upstairs to the photography department, and she gets in line for the SLR Systems section. I separate and peruse the Canon camera section.

I meet back up with her, and she is talking with one of the counter guys (there are 60, yes sixty, positions for help) and the counter guy doesn't understand why (he isn't a Pentax rep, just a "salesman"). He gives her Sigma's and Pentax's phone numbers and we leave. We poke around and look at some other things, then get back in like because we have other questions for the behind-the-counter-folk.

We end up buying a UV filter for my new lens (which gets sent to the checkout counter) and get our questions answered.

We head over to the used and closeout section and I see one of the dozen or so Canon 1200mm lenses. There is no price on it, just to see some one.

We then head downstairs and peruse the downstairs. We go to the lighting section, which is as big as most camera stores I have been in. My wife heads to the film section, because she needs some things for her darkroom.

We go over to the Audio section, and I get to look at microphones that I've only seen pictures of. They had a bunch in a locked room that are serious studio microphones.

After that, we head to the checkout. They have a lane for cash only, and a lane for check and credit. You pay for your items by giving them your slip that the "salesman" printed out for you and then proceed to package pick up. You show them your paid receipt, and they give you your purchases. They even have a counter for over sized items.

If you ever get to New York, then you have to experience B&H.

Quo Fan · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 12:24 PM

Forgot to add:

I got her camera to auto-focus the new lens by upgrading the firmware on the camera.

Murtasma · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 12:30 PM

When I was in New York I checked out the B&H store as well. I thought it was really cool, lots of people to help you and their whole ordering system is pretty interesting. If your around the area you really have to see it.

Teppo Chestislav · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 08:44 AM

Depends on your definition of what holy land and in what language. Christians believing that Jerusalem and the areas inside Israel are the Holy Land would call it a Pilgrimage. Muslims who go to Mecca for the annual service at the grand mosque call it the Hajj.

Digidave · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teppo Chestislav

Depends on your definition of what holy land and in what language. Christians believing that Jerusalem and the areas inside Israel are the Holy Land would call it a Pilgrimage. Muslims who go to Mecca for the annual service at the grand mosque call it the Hajj.

Green Bay, Lambeau Field is the true "Holy Land". Go Pack, Go!!!

If I ever get to NYC, I'll have to give it a look. Thanks for the story.