Art-ology

The time will come that you’re going to want to replace/add to your photography inventory. The primary reason people procrastinate is because of the overwhelming process they imagine is necessary to obtain the “right stuff” at the “best price.”

Though understandable, this type of logic is really not necessary. I know because I used to do it myself for 10 years. During that time, I learned a lot, made some mistakes, and discovered several extremely clever approaches to finding a “good deal.”

If you’re not shopping for new photo equipment just yet, that’s OK. Just do yourself a favor and keep the following advice so it’s handy when you are ready. Although this article is geared toward photography gear, most of the advice could easily address non-photographic purchases as well.

Understand What Your Goal Is

People don’t just roll out of bed one morning and think: I’m going to get a new camera today. Instead, something kicked off the desire; typically wanting to do something that is beyond the capabilities of their current equipment.

Before taking the plunge, it helps to know which camera features are important to you. For that, you might want to consider examining a list of camera features before acquiring new photo gear. Ya think?

The first thing to do is decide on what specific equipment to buy. The next question is about locating killer deals at great prices. That answer has 3 parts:

You Don’t HAVE TO Buy Retail

You want to buy from an online merchant you trust. Trust! Who might that be, you wonder? If you want to figure it out yourself, go to PriceGrabber’s Merchant Rating Service and read the reviews given by other buyers.

When dealing with online merchants, watch for certain warning signs. If you notice any, that should indicate it’s time to look for a different merchant. Just two of the numerous possible red flags are: a pushy sales representative; and having great prices on the main item, but have it bundled with accessories that are over-priced.

The Big Guys Are Big For a Reason

There are numerous excellent cameras on the market today… part of why it takes so long to reach a decision. So unless you want to spend a month analyzing the situation, bottom line – go with either Canon or Nikon.

Do You ALWAYS Have To Buy NEW?

If you’re OK buying used equipment, you can get some great deals. In addition to eBay, there are plenty of outstanding sources for used photo gear.

Craig’s List is especially good because it’s local and therefore you can meet the seller and therefore test the equipment before you buy it. Find a local area of Craig’s List, by “Googling” them.

eBay and Craig’s List are not the only choices. There are several other 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 some fantastic pictures with it.