topic Re: Reliable Camera Dealers in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Reliable Camera Dealers

stlouisblues — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:16:34 GMT

Hello:

I am looking for names of reliable camera shops that sell Canon DSLR cameras and accessories. In the past, I have found reviews on the internet that have not been positive pertaining to customer experience with certain dealers.

Thank you.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

Stephen — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:40:41 GMT

Hi stlouisblues!

Welcome to the Canon Community Forums, and thanks for posting!

We highly recommend purchasing from an Authorized Canon Dealer. That will ensure you're purchasing from a seller that will include a product that is intended for the US market, and will have a warranty for the USA, rather than being GRAY MARKET.

You'll find a list of online and local dealers HERE.

We hope this helps!

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

stlouisblues — Wed, 23 May 2018 18:54:37 GMT

What I would like as far as a reply to my original inquiry is what retail camera store has anyone had a consistent positive dealing with in purchasing new/used camera equipment.

I would like to purchase a couple of new full-frame Canon bodies, plus accessories and I am wondering if I would be better off dealing with Canon directly, as I have talked to some dealers that made me shy away from purchasing any photographic equipment from them for one reason or another.

I would like names of dealers that you would recommend that you have confidence in from past experience purchasing photographic equipment.

Thank you.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

wq9nsc — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:54:16 GMT

I have used B&H for decades going back into the days prior to the internet and have always been satisifed with their pricing and service. My Canon 1DM2 and 1DXM2 bodies along with my lenses have all been purchased through B&H and I recently bought a DNP DS-820A printer from them getting the same great service they provide for their Canon items.

They do have some items available both through normal and gray market channels but unlike some dealers they clearly indicate the gray market products so you are the one deciding whether it is worth the risk to buy a product without a valid U.S. warranty.

Rodger

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

shadowsports — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:54:27 GMT

Buy directly from Canon... or B&H. No need to look to elsewhere.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

TCampbell — Thu, 24 May 2018 00:20:40 GMT

I primarily buy from B&H Photo and have had positive experiences.

I have occasionally used Adorama ... but I had a problem with a particular product from Adorama and 3 attempts to get them to correct it later... I gave up on them.

Apart from that, I have a local "real" camera store (not a big box store that happens sell cameras) that I like.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

Davoud — Thu, 24 May 2018 00:57:21 GMT

I've had good luck with both B&H (on-line and in-store) and Adorama. Good service, and in the case of the one problem I had with a piece of gear, Adorama replaced it very promptly.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

stlouisblues — Thu, 24 May 2018 02:40:48 GMT

Hello:

Thank you for the information.

I started back in the 1970s to buy from B&H and I was able to use the same salesperson for my purchases and never had a problem.

Since the B&H salesperson retired, each time I had to use a different person at B&H for ordering photographic equipment and it resulted in mixed reviews and I may have to look elsewhere. Therefore, I might as well call Canon USA and check with their ordering procedure.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

stlouisblues — Thu, 24 May 2018 03:27:02 GMT

Has anyone ever had any positve/negative experience with ordering from Kenmore Camera or Roberts Camera?

Thank you.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

wq9nsc — Thu, 24 May 2018 03:48:54 GMT

Three months ago I purchased a used Canon ACK-E4 AC adapter and DC coupler from Roberts Camera via their ebay listing but that was my only interaction with them. Shipping was immediate and item was in like new condition with all original materials

I wanted something that I could use other than batteries to power my 1DX M2 when transferring files to the PC and this older model is shown on the system map in the 1DX M2 manual as being compatible. For $27 shipped it was a much better deal than buying the new 1DX specific model which is over $600 for the AC adapter plus DC coupler 🙂 I don't mind paying higher prices for Canon body and lens quality but $600 for less than $30 of Chinese electronics in an AC adapter was a little steep for my tastes - especially since this was an included in the box accessory with my 1DM2 back in 2005.

Rodger

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

stlouisblues — Thu, 24 May 2018 16:30:17 GMT

Thank you for all the helpful information.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

Mitsubishiman — Sat, 26 May 2018 13:18:45 GMT

I have used B&H and Adorama for accessories, when it comes to camera or lens...
Think about it, why would you deal with anyone other than the manufacturer, they designed it, they support it...
If you ever need service, one of the questions you will be asked is where was the unit purchased, from Canon directly or a third party.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

Davoud — Sun, 27 May 2018 05:06:52 GMT

@Mitsubishiman wrote:
I have used B&H and Adorama for accessories, when it comes to camera or lens...
Think about it, why would you deal with anyone other than the manufacturer, they designed it, they support it...
If you ever need service, one of the questions you will be asked is where was the unit purchased, from Canon directly or a third party.

You seem to have the mistaken notion that a camera bought from an authorized dealer such as Adorama, Amazon, or B&H is somehow treated differently by Canon USA than one bought from Canon directly. This is untrue, so long as one doesn't buy a gray market camera.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

TCampbell — Sun, 27 May 2018 14:06:50 GMT

It doesn’t matter *which* authorized Canon dealer you buy a camera from... only that it *is* an authorized Canon dealer.

You also want to make sure the dealer indicates it is a “USA” camera and not an “import” and this can be confusing.

All cameras are made overeas (they’re all imports). The difference is a “USA” camera is one that Canon imported intended for sale in this market. Camera’s marked as “imports” are “gray market” camera. They are genuine Canon cameras (not forgeries) ... but they were manufacturered and intended for sell in other countries. Some dealers will pick up these cameras at a savings and import them via their own means. THOSE are “gray market” cameras. Not only do they NOT have a Canon warranty... Canon service often wont even touch them (even if you are paying for the service). The stores that do this usually claim that they perform the service. This never made me very comfortable and I’d much rather have a camera that is backed & serviceable by Canon service directly.

Re: Reliable Camera Dealers

Waddizzle — Sun, 27 May 2018 15:33:23 GMT

@Davoud wrote:
@Mitsubishiman wrote:
I have used B&H and Adorama for accessories, when it comes to camera or lens...
Think about it, why would you deal with anyone other than the manufacturer, they designed it, they support it...
If you ever need service, one of the questions you will be asked is where was the unit purchased, from Canon directly or a third party.
You seem to have the mistaken notion that a camera bought from an authorized dealer such as Adorama, Amazon, or B&H is somehow treated differently by Canon USA than one bought from Canon directly. This is untrue, so long as one doesn't buy a gray market camera.

If Canon is like every other manufacturer of consumer electronics, they know exactly what serial number was shipped to which Canon dealer.