What’s Your Preference?

freybear3 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:58 AM

I am looking to buy some memory cards, lenses, etc...

Where is the best and cheapest place to buy them at? Prefer wholesale prices

I am doing ebay at the moment, but I heard theres even cheaper places on the web.

Any ideas?

Biomech · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 02:16 PM

I find it interesting. I'm guessing you didn't buy the cheapest car you could find? Or the cheapest clothes that you can possibly. I'm guessing you're camera wasn't the most basic cheapest camera in the shop - you probably have something like a Nikon or a Canon Rebel.

So why do you want to buy the cheapest cards and lenses possible?

I've had my time with ebay and while some has been good, some has been bad. I no longer look for the cheapest when I'm buying kit, sure I want value for money, but I want the backup and support, the reliability and return-to-base options available with an established retailer.

I'd suggest warehouseexpress, maybe amazon (not 3rd parties)

candidrachel · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 02:43 PM

I'm with Biomech. Its much better long term to buy good quality kit. I'm all for saving for one great lens rather than half a dozen cheap 3.5 - 6.3 lenses for example.

What I tend to do personally is get stuff that I know fellow dps have such as good quality umbrellas (my recent purchase) and reflectors (another great review I read here). None of this stuff broke the bank but I know that I want that 24-70 L lens and I just have to wait for it.

gturner · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:43 PM

he never said cheap quality, he said best and cheapest price.

So OP - is it cheap quality or best price for good kit?

BTW - I stick to the BH/ Adorama unless there is a local (meet face to face) 2nd hand opportunity.

Biomech · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:01 PM

Of course, but you will find that the "cheaper" price comes at a cost somewhere, otherwise it can't be cheaper. For example, you buy from ebay you have no warranty or quality control, you buy the cheapest from amazon it maybe refurbished etc.

I'm with you on the look for the best price, but I would rather pay a little more to someone I trust than the cheapest to whoever!

snow_man · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:04 PM

If you're in the UK I second warehouseexpress.com, I live near their showroom everytime I go there they are very helpful and knowledgeable.. It's actually where I got my camera from.

Biomech · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:08 PM

Wish they had one near me :P Right now I work for Sony - I bought my a580 from Jessops because it was £200 than I could get it WITH my staff discount :O lol - Sony stuff is fine to buy, because *I'm* the tech support :P

dlambert · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:39 PM

I'd start with Adorama & B&H. Check out refurbished equipment if it's available.

One of the big problems with the ebay stuff is that the new equipment is usually sold in huge, worthless bundles. If you're talking about buying used, that's a whole other discussion.