At some point, you’re going to want to either replace or add to your photography equipment. One of the main reasons people procrastinate is because of the daunting process they imagine in order to get the “right stuff” at the “best price.”
Although understandable, this type of mental obstacle course is really unnecessary. After doing this myself for 22 years, I learned a lot, made some mistakes, and found some extremely clever approaches to getting a “good deal.”
If you’re not buying photo gear right now, that’s OK. But do yourself a favor and put this somewhere you remember so you have it handy when you are ready. Although the primary focus of this article is photography gear, much of the information could easily address non-photographic purchases as well.
Know What You’re Trying To Do
For example, most people don’t wake up one day and think: Yep, today’s a good day to get a new camera. Instead, the reason is often wanting to do something that is beyond the capabilities of their current equipment.
At this point, it helps to know which camera features do what. For that, consider looking at a list of camera features before purchasing photo gear.
After deciding what specific equipment you want to buy, the next question is: “What’s the secret to finding outstanding deals at great prices?” There’s three parts to that answer:
Buy Online, Not Retail
Buy from online merchants who you trust. Who is that, you wonder? Well, if you want to investigate it yourself, I would suggest going to PriceGrabber’s Merchant Rating Service and read the experiences others have had with the merchant.
Be alert for certain merchant warning signs that may indicate it’s time to look for a different merchant. Two possible red flags are a pushy sales representative; and having great prices on the main item, but have it bundled with accessories that are over-priced.
Stick With The Majors
Brand-wise, there are many excellent cameras on the market. But, if you don’t want to spend a month analyzing the situation, go with either Canon or Nikon.
There ARE Alternatives To New
If you are comfortable buying used photo gear, there are some great deals to be had. In addition to eBay, there are a number of excellent sources for used photographic gear.
I like Craig’s List primarily because you can actually meet the seller and therefore test the equipment prior to purchase. If you’ve never used Craig’s List, just Google them for the one closest to where you live.
In addition to eBay and Craig’s List, there are several additional online options…
- Photography Forums, such as Fred Miranda have an active Buy/Sell service
- Search Google for online stores dealing exclusively in Used Gear
- 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
After obtaining your perfect photo gear, it’s time to focus on your ultimate objective and find out how to take the best pictures with it.
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