Buy WHERE in the USA?

[herc182]

Hey. My friend is going to the states and has asked me whether I wanted anything. I immediately thought the D300 but unfortunately I still cant afford it so i am thinking some glass.

I was thinking of getting the 50-150 sigma and the nikon 50mm 1.4.

Can anyone recommend where I could buy these (online or on the street)?

thanks in advance.

Any other lens suggestion welcome. I am primarily looking for portrait lens. Maybe a macro lens could be used?

thanks

[AdamW]

I'd suggest B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/)in New York City. I've also had good experiences with Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/), also in NYC.

[Visual Reality]

Another, this is where I got my D80 + 18-55 VR for the same price as B&H, next day shipping.

http://www.17photo.com/default.asp

[jcon]

Where in the States will your friend be going?

BHPhoto is at the top of almost everyones list.

[ssil2000]

B&H Photo all the way!

[K1W1]

I've been told that many US prices are rising rather rapidly due to the virtual crash of the dollar.
It may not be as much of a saving as you think so do your homework very thoroughly.
Also, US State taxes are never quoted in the advertised price of goods. Often the actual price is anything up to about 6% more than the advertised price depending on the state of purchase. I'm not sure if there are any rebate schemes to allow you to claim state taxes back or how complicated they may be.
Finally. Does the person travelling know anything about photography? If they don't asking them to get specialist equipment like particular lenses can place a fairly heavy burden on them when they are not entirely sure what they are buying.

[herc182]

thanks everyone. Will have a look.

She doesnt know much about it, but I am guessing I can order it online? Or get someone over there to do it (she is visiting a friend in New York who lives there).

or I can look for the shop and direct her there with a description. Should not be difficult to hand a bit of paper to the guy (or a print out from the website) and say "I want this".

Prices (even with tax) are still half the price they are over here.

example: D300 = £1100 (approx)
in the states I have seen if for that price in dollars.

lenses are the same type of saving. It angers me but its something that has been covered before so i wont open a can of worms :D

[AdamW]

New York has a high sales tax (similar to a VAT), but if the savings is as high as you say, I'd send her to the BH store in Manhattan with a very specific description of what you want. The sales folks there are VERY knowledgeable and helpful.

[erichlund]

thanks everyone. Will have a look.

She doesnt know much about it, but I am guessing I can order it online? Or get someone over there to do it (she is visiting a friend in New York who lives there).

or I can look for the shop and direct her there with a description. Should not be difficult to hand a bit of paper to the guy (or a print out from the website) and say "I want this".

Prices (even with tax) are still half the price they are over here.

example: D300 = £1100 (approx)
in the states I have seen if for that price in dollars.

I seriously doubt you will see the D300 for $1100 anywhere you can actually get it for that. The only place you see those prices are where they can bait and switch you. And, yes, it is illegal, but they still find ways to do it. The price for a D300 in the USA is $1800. You can find it for a little bit less in a few places, where competition is very tight, but barely enough to make looking around worth the trouble.

lenses are the same type of saving. It angers me but its something that has been covered before so i wont open a can of worms :D

The only thing that's really skyrocketing here is gasoline (petrol for the rest of you). Here in Southern California, we're paying about $3.45 a U.S. Gallon for basic grade gas. For a lot of the world that's not expensive, but just a few months ago I was paying about $2.50. You can get it a little cheaper by going to a cash or debit only place like ARCO.

As far as I can tell, camera prices have been rock steady.

[Visual Reality]

But gasoline has far reaching effects on the rest of the economy - that gasoline is needed for transportation and shipping other products, raising the costs of those goods as well. You will pay for it in more ways than one.

And yeah a D300 is still $1700-1800 and they won't be coming down soon. Nikon is producing 70,000 per month and selling every single one.