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What is the best way to buy a camera? (ebay, bestbuy, etc)

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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,864
Alright, so I already know that I want to buy a t3i. I just want to know tge best way to buy ut. Should I get it bundled on ebay for around 700$ or should I buy it alone from best buy for $550?

Then of course buy a case, sd cards, and whatever else im going to need right away.
Aug 12 2014 10:10PM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
On here first, fredmiranda also has awesome deals. Ebay can be decent, just make sure it's stuff you actually want in the bundle, and not a bunch of useless crap. Keh can be good, but I only have experience with lenses from there.
Aug 12 2014 11:40PM
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edai
Posts: 4983 - Karma: 4,632
^Be VERY weary of bundles, usually the items are crap...

I bought my entire setup on Amazon, almost every item was used or refurbished and worked like a charm, i think i bought only the lenses and filters new.
Aug 13 2014 12:59AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
p.hawksOn here first, fredmiranda also has awesome deals. Ebay can be decent, just make sure it's stuff you actually want in the bundle, and not a bunch of useless crap. Keh can be good, but I only have experience with lenses from there.


fredmiranda's awesome, Keh bargain bodies are alright, my local craigslist is prime sometimes, and the camera gear group on Facebook is pretty swell too
Aug 13 2014 1:34AM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,279
for new gear, b&h photo
Aug 13 2014 3:26AM
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PeteMahn
Posts: 1314 - Karma: 3,350
Craigslist, just check the shit out. People buy camera equipment becasue there rich and are bored and realize a week later they dont like it so they sell it. Just by opening a camera or lens the value depreciates alot and on craigslist professional photographers will sell old stuff to buy new stuff. I bought a 60d body 2 years ago with sd card battery and charger ect and it came with a bag for $650 so back then that was an amazing deal. Last year I got a 11-16mm for $400 becasue the guy sold his t3i and was moving to a 5D which is a full frame censor and the 11-16 tokina is crop censor so he needed quick cash for it. 2 months ago I bought a 28-135mm canon lens and when i bought the lens i learned the guy is a professional photographer who just needed extra money for other projects. That lens only cost me $250. Sparknotes: Craigslist has great deals but people just think everyone on there is creepy so they miss great opportunists.
Aug 13 2014 9:15AM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
Your local photo store. Same reason buying skis at local shops is better but the price will actually be the same. They'll probably give you a deal on a bag or other accessories too.
Aug 13 2014 9:44AM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
nutz.fredmiranda's awesome, Keh bargain bodies are alright, my local craigslist is prime sometimes, and the camera gear group on Facebook is pretty swell too


Good to know. BGN on Keh for lenses is usually better than "like new" or "mint" on ebay. The condition for some of their vintage gear is insane, especially given the age.

T-LanDistrictCraigslist, just check the shit out. People buy camera equipment becasue there rich and are bored and realize a week later they dont like it so they sell it. Just by opening a camera or lens the value depreciates alot and on craigslist professional photographers will sell old stuff to buy new stuff. I bought a 60d body 2 years ago with sd card battery and charger ect and it came with a bag for $650 so back then that was an amazing deal. Last year I got a 11-16mm for $400 becasue the guy sold his t3i and was moving to a 5D which is a full frame censor and the 11-16 tokina is crop censor so he needed quick cash for it. 2 months ago I bought a 28-135mm canon lens and when i bought the lens i learned the guy is a professional photographer who just needed extra money for other projects. That lens only cost me $250. Sparknotes: Craigslist has great deals but people just think everyone on there is creepy so they miss great opportunists.


I bought a tokina for my blackmagic, but it works fine on my 5d at 16mm. Just make sure you know what gear is worth, and be smart. If things are misspelled, there are low prices, no boxes, and the person knows nothing about it (for relatively new digital gear), there's a good chance it's stolen. I've had pretty good luck with Craigslist, I usually try to meet in a Starbucks or somewhere like that though.

CheddarJackYour local photo store. Same reason buying skis at local shops is better but the price will actually be the same. They'll probably give you a deal on a bag or other accessories too.


Normally I'd agree, but photo shops near me (both in Michigan and VT) just sell things that are either expensive or shitty, and often both. While I'd like to support a local business, I'm not going to let them rob me blind and ask me to pay 25-50% more than keh.
Aug 13 2014 10:16AM
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Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,460
shop local. i worked at a camera store that sold used/new and had a ridiculous selection + really good deals.
Aug 13 2014 11:03AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,940
Don't buy new gear. Buy refurb if you can. EBay, just buy what you need
Aug 13 2014 11:22AM
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BeefiestExpert
Posts: 2804 - Karma: 3,275
I bought my gear local from Craigslist. I was very wary and it took me awhile after i had tried to inspect the camera with the best of ny ability. But I was able to get a

Canon 60d
2 (shittt) lenses
Bag
3 batts
Charger
Card

For only 400 hundred and the camera was in 9/10 condition
Aug 13 2014 12:00PM
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CharlieTurchetta
Posts: 316 - Karma: 839
Never buy a camera over the internet used. You always want to inspect internal parts such as the shutter.
Aug 13 2014 3:06PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
For new gear B&H is usually your best bet, for used I usually turn to Craigslist to try it out first.
Aug 14 2014 2:37PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
CharlieTurchettaNever buy a camera over the internet used. You always want to inspect internal parts such as the shutter.


meh, KEH has a pretty bomb return policy.
Aug 14 2014 4:05PM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,279
CharlieTurchettaNever buy a camera over the internet used. You always want to inspect internal parts such as the shutter.


I mean, I've bought and sold many cameras on the internet, its not a big deal.
Aug 14 2014 4:50PM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
nutz.meh, KEH has a pretty bomb return policy.


I've heard they'll let you exchange copies of an item until you find one you like, no questions asked
Aug 14 2014 6:30PM
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Lé.Skiing
Posts: 10035 - Karma: 8,122
The best I would suggest is to go to best buy. If you can find an open box I'm sure they would throw stuff you actually need into a bundled price. Just go in and check out their open box stuff you can usually find a really good deal.

(open box usually only means someone has bought an item and didn't want it for whatever reason and then returned it. Reason cost's are low? hard to sell an item that has already been opened and used. Most people would rather spend the little extra for a fresh piece of hardware that has never been touched.)
Aug 14 2014 7:02PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
p.hawksI've heard they'll let you exchange copies of an item until you find one you like, no questions asked


they definitely do.

Also I bought two cameras of this forum and never got fucked over so there's that. With paypal and all these days, there's a lot of buyer protection anyways.
Aug 14 2014 7:09PM
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