Photography Equipment - Purchasing Options

Although I try to make sure to support local business whenever I purchase new equipment the savings that can be realized by purchasing equipment online is sometimes to much to ignore.  However, before I provide details on my favourite places to purchase things online I feel it necessary to highlight the local shops where I look first.  So, in no particular order, here are the camera stores that I frequently visit in the Vancouver lower mainland:

1. Kerrisdale Cameras - Coquitlam Centre Mall location.  Great staff with lots of photography experience.  Ask for Doug if you want to be entertained :-)
2. Leo's Camera - Probably has the best selection, but also tends to be more expensive. 
3. Photo Expert - Pretty good selection and always willing to negotiate on price.  Be sure to ask for Dave.

Ok, now for the few online photography sites that I have had great experience with in the past.  Again, in no particular order:

1. Adorama - Incredible selection, prices are reasonable and normally ships pretty quickly
2. BH Photo - Very comparable to Adorama.
3. Amvona - Really only an inexpensive option for purchasing lighting equipment, and a good place to go if you really have a tight budget.  Otherwise, stick with Adorama or BH Photo and purchase slightly higher end gear.

I should note that I have had a lot of luck getting great gear at reasonable prices from the local shops, and make it a point to purchase from the local shops whenever I have concerns with getting warranty work done.

Hope this info is useful.  Happy shopping.

  

Photography Basics

So you purchased an SLR camera and are afraid to take it off program mode.  Not to worry, there are only a few simple things to learn to take full advantage of your new SLR and to start creating some interesting photographs.  This post will share some tips on using depth of field and shutter speed settings on your camera.

1. Camera Dial - Author is using a Canon camera
2. Shutter Speed  - Author is using a Canon camera
3. Aperture - Author is using a Canon camera
4. Depth of Field - Author is using a Canon camera
5. ISO Basics - Author is using a Canon camera
6. Photography Tutorial 1 (Fundamentals) - Explains all the above in one video
7. Photography Tutorial 2 ( Insider Advice)