At some point, you’re going to want to either replace or add to your photography accessories. One of the main reasons people put off their decision is because of the daunting process they imagine in order to get the “right stuff” at the “best price.”
Although completely understandable, this type of mental obstacle course is really unnecessary. After doing this myself for 18 years, I learned a lot, made some mistakes, and found some extremely clever approaches to getting a “good deal.”
If you’re not purchasing photo gear right now, that’s OK. But do yourself a favor and copy the following advice 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 Accomplish
For example, most people don’t get up one day and think: Yep, today’s a good day to buy 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 buying photo gear.
After deciding what specific equipment you want to buy, the next question is: “What’s the secret to finding the best 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 offering 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 deciding on a brand, go with either Canon or Nikon.
There ARE Alternatives To New
If you are comfortable buying used equipment, 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 meet the seller in person 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
- 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
- Search Google for online stores dealing exclusively in Used Gear
After obtaining your perfect photo gear, it’s time to focus on your ultimate objective and find out how to take the best photographs with it.
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