Photography Education

Where to Find the Best Deals on Camera Gear

You might be surprised

Close-up of various camera lenses with the text "Best Deals on Camera Gear" displayed over them. It's the perfect time to buy camera gear and capture stunning moments.

A fellow photographer recently told me, “I would never buy camera gear from Amazon. I will only buy from a reputable retailer like B&H Photo.”

That got me thinking about how buying camera gear has changed over the 50+ years I’ve been involved in photography—some changes for the better, and others, well, not so much.

Let’s talk about where to find the best deals on camera gear and where to buy your camera gear today—without the hype, fanboy nonsense, or marketing fluff. Because, at the end of the day, it’s not just about price. It’s about value.

A Look Back: The Evolution of Camera Gear Shopping

When I bought my first camera in 1971, I walked into a local mom-and-pop camera shop, held it in my hands, and compared it to other models before spending my hard-earned $75. That $75 felt like a million bucks to an 11-year-old me.

Back then, local Mom camera shops weren’t just about sales—they were places of education. Camera stores were often small and not well-merchandised. Still, the owners and any staff they may have been able to hire were passionate about photography and always willing and able to share their knowledge.

Five years later, my first job was at a different local camera store in my small town, 30 miles (ca. 48 km) outside Philadelphia. Like most small towns in the US in the mid-1970s, there was more than one camera store close to my home.

A few short years later, there were two more and a load of others within a short drive. Not to mention that less than an hour away in Philadelphia, several big camera stores had more gear than my teenage mind could dream of.

In my first 25 years, I worked at four different camera stores, all of which focused on educating the customer first and selling second.

Fast-forward to the 1990s. The little Mom-and-Pop stores were disappearing, replaced by regional chains. Companies like Ritz Camera and Camera Shop Inc. began to focus on price, and competition began to change the landscape of photo retailing.

By the early 2000s, even those companies struggled as online giants like B&H Photo and Adorama became household names. And, of course, Amazon came along and rewrote the rulebook for retail. By 2010, people were declaring the death of camera stores; indeed, many of the mom-and-pop shops ceased to exist.

Shopping for Camera Gear Today

Let me be clear: This is not a hit piece on big retailers like B&H or Amazon. Please read on to gain some valuable perspective that will help you take advantage of all your local stores and online retailers offer.

Why You Should Still Support Local Stores

I will be blunt: there’s nothing like walking into a store and talking to someone who knows their stuff. Regional camera stores, like Precision Camera in Texas or the Pixel Connection in Ohio, thrive because they focus on education and community and offer great prices.

It is also important to note that many smaller regional stores offer online shopping and phone consultations even if you live far from them.

Don’t get me wrong: B&H and Adorama put a lot of great educational material on the Internet. The B&H EventSpace is fantastic, but you can’t ask a YouTube video, “Hey, do you think this lens fits my shooting style?”

The kind of education I am talking about is where you walk into a store and don’t have to stand in a line with electronic numbers above 20 counter spaces.

I’m talking about the places where passionate and knowledgeable people are willing to share what they know about photography, listen to your needs, and help you make wise decisions.

In other words, I am talking about personalized education — one-on-one with a human being. If you don’t live near one of these regional stores, you can still do business with them online or call them on the phone. They will take the time to listen to you and understand your needs and goals.

While Amazon might win on speed, its recommendation algorithm doesn’t care if the gear you’re buying is a good fit for you.

To their credit, B&H and Adorama have a live chat tool on their website that allows you to speak directly to a salesperson when the stores are open.

Online Retailers

B&H Photo & Adorama

Both stores have a solid selection of in-stock gear at all times, but neither is my “go-to” camera retailer at this point. I know—this is blasphemous! But there are four reasons. . .

#1. Both companies have a negative history of how they treat their employees. B&H, in particular, had some very public issues with warehouse employees unionizing between 2015 and 2017 and wound up paying out 3.2 million dollars to settle a Department of Labor discrimination suit. They were back in the news in 2020 with more allegations.

#2. They are no longer automatically the cheapest. I often find better deals on Amazon and with smaller regional retailers.

#3. Speed. I am an Amazon Prime user, and I live very close to an Amazon Warehouse, which means that pretty much anything I purchase on Amazon will be on my doorstep in 24 hours—48 hours max.

Full disclosure: I am located close to B&H, so most of their shipments arrive within 24 hours, but depending on the time of day, they will ship slower than Amazon. Adorama, in my experience, sometimes ships the same day, but that is often not the case.

#4. Religion. B&H and Adorama are closed every Saturday and for several weeks each year for Jewish holidays. Of course, Amazon is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Amazon

The online giant also offers excellent prices and fast shipping, but check prices carefully and be sure you know who you are buying from. (It’s not always Amazon.)

It is also worth noting that Amazon is great for online research. While B&H and Adorama show recommended accessories, Amazon’s recommended items go much deeper and frequently show me little gadgets and time savers I was unaware of.

Smart Shopping Tips To Find the Best Deals on Camera Gear

Research Before You Buy

Don’t rely on YouTube reviews or any “influencer” you find online. Pay attention to the word “influencer”; do you really want your purchasing decisions to be guided by someone who spends more time talking about gear than actually using it? Not to mention that they were either paid to do so or given favors in return.

Do your research by reading in-depth articles, specifications, and stats about the gear before you purchase it. Better yet, rent it first!

Rent It First

Cameras are significant investments. It is important to handle them and sample the files from them yourself, BEFORE you purchase. Many regional stores offer rentals, and online rental services like LensRentals.com and LensProToGo.com are expanding.

Also, let’s be clear that you don’t have to have the camera upgrade the day it comes out… unless, of course, you are a brand fanboy.

If You Can’t Rent

Most reputable retailers have a 30-day return policy but dig into the details. Some limit the number of shutter actuations you can rack up before returning a camera. Don’t get caught by surprise.

When It’s Time to Buy

Here’s my system for buying gear:

  1. Research online—Amazon is great for discovering gadgets I didn’t know I needed.
  2. Rent the gear if possible.
  3. Compare prices across regional stores, B&H, Adorama and, Amazon.
  4. Buy from the retailer that provides the best combination of price, service, and speed.

If I can make the purchase at a smaller store and get the gear within the timeframe that I need it, then my choice is always a smaller store. But if it is a matter of a substantial price difference or speed of delivery, then I have no problem shopping online with Amazon, B&H, or Adorama.

Be sure to read my article: Will That New Camera Make You a Better Photographer?

The Best Regional Stores

If you want excellent service and personalized attention, here are my favorites. These are stores that I have personally visited and done business with.

These stores are passionate about photography and committed to helping you make informed decisions. Many offer online shopping and phone consultations even if you don’t live near one.

Conclusion: Evolve, But Don’t Forget Your Roots

The way we buy camera gear has changed, and that’s okay. But don’t write off local and regional stores just because Amazon is faster or B&H is bigger. There’s real value in personalized service and education—the kind of value that no algorithm or video can provide.

So, do your research, support the stores that support you. Now go pick up that camera and shoot something! Because – “Your BEST shot is your NEXT shot!” — Joe Edelman

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