Buying a digital SLR online-- any advice?

[VictoriaL]

DH has a Nikon D300 on his Christmas list and I'm thinking about buying one for him just to blow his mind (he put it on The List as somewhat of a joke, although he really wants this camera).

I found some pretty good prices online (packaged with a lens) but it seems that as the prices get lower the reliability of the online seller drops as well. I googled a couple of places and was amazed at how many horror stories I found.

So my question is, how do you know that a dealer is reliable??? Or should I just hold my breath, pay the extra, and buy locally? I've never purchased something this expensive over the internet, and I mainly stick to Amazon.

[Gumbeaux]

I purchased a D40x from Amazon. It seems like most online stores (http://www.shopzilla.com/12--Nikon_D300_Digital_SLR_Camera_Body_-_cat_id--402__keyword--nikon%20d300__prod_id--631925552) are selling the D300 for close to the same price. If you are scared, stick to Amazon since you are comfortable with them.

[Gilgamesh37]

B& H photo. I have no idea how they compare in terms of price, but they are absolutely stellar in reputation (going back years, my dad, a professional photographer, depended on them for film SLR and lenses for decades) and totally stand behind their products. It's where I'd go, and I know that as DBF has moved into high end digital camera equipment, he's bought a number of thing from them.

B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/)

[VictoriaL]

Thanks Gumbeaux, I never knew that Shopzilla existed! Sure beats doing a bunch of different searches... :)

Gilgamesh, B&H was on my list and I'm moving them up since you gave such a high rating to their reputation. They're only about $50 more for the camera body/ lens package than Amazon

Can someone tell me-- are batteries usually included with digital SLR cameras? I see that the "recommended accessories" are rechargable batteries and recharge units (about $300!), but the data sheet says nothing about if the batteries are included when you buy the camera.

[Gumbeaux]

Can someone tell me-- are batteries usually included with digital SLR cameras?

According to Nikon's D300 web page (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25432), a battery is included with the camera. It doesn't look like a film card is included. You can pick up a spare battery from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-EN-EL3a-Rechargeable-Lithium-Ion-Battery/dp/B0009K9Q2E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1196657843&sr=8-3) for $27.00

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/bayoutitan/Album4/D300.jpg

[donleyk]

I bought my Rebel from Amazon. We went to Best Buy to check them out and they ran about $100 higher although we did see a Best Buy sale flyer for about the same price last week.

[Hammster]

I got my D40 from Cameta Camera through Amazon. You can search Amazon for Cameta Camera. Anyway, at the time they had the best *realistic" price for the package I ended up getting.

The reason I starred "realistic" is because there are unscrupulous vendors out there. Broadway Photo is a prime example. They offer way lowball prices and free shipping. Both are red flags especially when it comes to high quality camera equipment. Broadway Photo will try to bait and switch you. Then when you stand firm, they will tell you the item you called about is out of stock. Stay away from them.

For those who may reply to the red flag comment. Free shipping by itself is not a red flag, but when combined with a really ridiculously low price you bet it is.

The old adage is pretty true. If it seems to good to be true, it usually is.

[leightx]

You might also want to check into different forums (I like www.dpreview.com - look at the Nikon SLR boards) to see if people recommend getting the kit (camera body and lens) or purchasing separately. I have a Canon Rebel Xti, and most people don't like the lens that comes with the camera. I bought the back separately, and then got an entirely different lens - a Sigma 18-200 OS. I use this lens as my "walkaround" lens - it's on the camera 90% of the time. It's much more versatile than the lens that came in the Rebel kit offered at Best Buy and most major retailers (Canon 18-55). It's also better quality. If you think he's going to want to get different lenses (he will, it's just a matter of time ;) ), then you might want to go ahead and get him one now, and forgo the kit lens altogether, unless he'll use that one. Since my Sigma basically overlaps the kit lens, there was no reason for me to get it...

I like B&H as well, even though my local camera shop calls them the "Wal-mart of cameras." :p If you can afford the markup, you might want to go through a local shop - not Wolf or Best Buy, but a genuine camera shop - they'll be able to offer you invaluable advice. FWIW - I've bought 3 cameras from Buy.com, and haven't had any issues at all.

[engineer]

I've used Calumet you can find them at www.calumetphoto.com. I found them very helpful and I love the Nikon D100 I got several years back for work. They also have brick and morter stores with classes if you are near them.

[Denise]

We've bought two cameras from B&H and I'll never buy anywhere else. I've had excellent customer service over the phone and have never found something I bought there cheaper somewhere else. I started buying from them because they had a following at one of the wildlife photography websites I frequent and my father bought several cameras from B&H and was pleased.

[testkitchen45]

Does anyone have an opinion on Camera World of Oregon (online retailer)? I've bought (happily) from them, but haven't used them enough to strongly recommend them. Maybe others have had experience with Camera World.

[Hammster]

Does anyone have an opinion on Camera World of Oregon (online retailer)? I've bought (happily) from them, but haven't used them enough to strongly recommend them. Maybe others have had experience with Camera World.

No personal experience with them, but;
Boy, reviews of Cameraworld.com are all over the place. Love it, hate it, inbetween as well. 3.5 out of 5 stars at epinions.
Also, I just did a quick check on a lens DS wants for Christmas. Expensive compared to other places I've been looking. On average about $30-$40 more for the lens at Cameraworld.

I also read some reviews that said that the website will say a product is in stock, but an email the next day or 2 later will say it's actually out of stock and on backorder.

Based on my own internal criteria, I'd probably stay away from these guys as a rule. Too expensive and service sounds spotty.

Glad to hear you had a good experience TK.

[615bride]

I have a Nikon dSLR (the D50 - love it) and can second checking out dpreview.com for all sorts of info and B&H for their great reputation!

[bobmark226]

I used B&H for years, in the film era, at the store, which was originally in my neighborhood. It's definitely a happier experience on-line, which I'd rather not go into in detail, and I still order odds and ends from them as needed. Very reputable.

But living in NY State, where I'd pay the taxes, and because of free shipping, I've been comfortable and happy with Amazon for all my camera purchases...and they've been many.

Bob

[ChristieinMB]

I got my D40 from Cameta Camera through Amazon. You can search Amazon for Cameta Camera. Anyway, at the time they had the best *realistic" price for the package I ended up getting.

The reason I starred "realistic" is because there are unscrupulous vendors out there. Broadway Photo is a prime example. They offer way lowball prices and free shipping. Both are red flags especially when it comes to high quality camera equipment. Broadway Photo will try to bait and switch you. Then when you stand firm, they will tell you the item you called about is out of stock. Stay away from them.

For those who may reply to the red flag comment. Free shipping by itself is not a red flag, but when combined with a really ridiculously low price you bet it is.

The old adage is pretty true. If it seems to good to be true, it usually is.
I agree about the red flag, I had the same thing happen, I started with the lowest price, two online vendors would not sell to me since I didn't agree to their upsell. I paid more but got my camera from a different vendor.

[VictoriaL]

Thank you so much to everyone who answered my post! Because of cost, I'm leaning toward buying him the camera body for Christmas and a separate Nikkor 18-200VR lens for his birthday in June. That wouldn't be too mean, would it? He already has a Nikon F4 and lenses which he could use on the D300. Although I don't know if his current Nikon flash would work on the new digital camera. I'll have to check into it.

From the recommendations here, on other forums, and from friends, it sounds as if B&H is the one to go to.

Seriously though, his not being a professional and having his livlihood depend on his photos, would it be weird to give him the D300 body (to use with his existing lenses which, I checked, would work just fine) for Christmas and the lens he asked for in 6 months? Opinions, please.

[Gumbeaux]

I think it is a good idea not to get a lens. Basically, the camera will work with any lens made after 1977 (although more desirable with auto focus lenses). Since lenses are a photographer's personal choice, I would let him tell you which lens he wants after you give him the camera body. I think he will thank you for this decision. ;)

[Alethea]

Definitely not weird to give the camera and then the lens if he already has lenses. If you do buy the Nikkor 18-200 lens separately, I would recommend seeing if you can find it in a local store, because it's worth trying out as it does have a creep problem (telescopes in or out if you shoot straight up or down). Apparently not all people have encountered this, so some lenses are fine. It's not a huge problem and overall it's a nice all-purpose lens, but obviously it would be better if it didn't creep. (I just hold the zoom ring when I shoot and it's fine, but if you were shooting on an angle with a tripod and remote shutter release it would be a problem.) Also, I'm not sure if this is the case anymore, but for the past few years it's been very hard to find that lens in stock as a standalone item. Nikon was underproducing relative to the demand. People were on months-long waiting lists and stores were getting small shipments that sold out quickly. Just something to keep in mind if you're shopping for it in the spring, though like I said, it may be more consistently available now.

DH will be thrilled with the camera!

[Denise]

Definately not weird. Those cameras and lenses are expensive! I'm sure your DH will understand that that's a lot at once. He'll still be able to play with his new toy and he'll have the lens to look forward to!

[VictoriaL]

I left my camera notes on my desk since DH was out all day and didn't get them put away before he came home. He's shocked, but excited. :) I told him that he has to forget all about it for the next 3 weeks. Yeah, right.

I appreciate all of your help with this, everyone!