Best Camera Store?

[pstep50345]

I will be in Houston this weekend and would like to know your recommendations for the best camera store. I am looking to buy a Nikon D70 with the 18-70 kit and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens. I am actually from Dallas and intended to buy from a local store but am unexpectedly going to be in Houston instead. Thanks.

[JamesB]

Houston Camera Exchange, actually I think this saturday is Nikon day, with sales on Nikon cameras and some Nikon reps to answer questions. I could be wron I dont remeber when I saw the comercial

location and map on their web site
http://www.houstoncameraexchange.com/

James

[Manny]

Houston Camera Exchange is waaaaay overated and OVERPRICED. If you get a good deal there consider yourself lucky.
Camera Co-op has the same equipment and better prices and service. The exchange people do not have good sales or people skills. In MY opinion. And I've dealt with them for nearly 20 years.
Ritz and wolf camera are way toooo expensive. And most of the people behind the counter don't know what they're talking about.

I don't think we have any other BIG name stores here. Do we?

[JamesB]

Thanks for the info on Houston Camera Exchange manny. I have been there a few times over the years because I didnt know of any other places besides wolf/ritz and they never have stock of many items.

wolf/ritz is great when you need a lens pen or some small item like that.

James

[boomerd35]

I agree. I bought a 420EX speedlite from Houston Camera Exchange about three weeks ago. When I got home, I found it online for $60 cheaper! (and no tax) Since I am a beginner, I am willing to pay a little more for advice by a somebody with much more knowledge than me. But not $60 !!

Troy

[Manny]

Originally Posted by boomerd35

I agree. I bought a 420EX speedlite from Houston Camera Exchange about three weeks ago. When I got home, I found it online for $60 cheaper! (and no tax) Since I am a beginner, I am willing to pay a little more for advice by a somebody with much more knowledge than me. But not $60 !!

Troy

ouch......!!! I know that hurt when you saw that. I did the same thing when I bought my elan 7E from them. I got home and saw it on B&H photo video for atleast 80 bucks cheaper! I was flaming hot mad. hahaha.

I also took some old equipment to them, to sell, and was shocked at how little they were willing to pay.......!!

I had :

my canon ae-1 program
24 mm 3.5
70-200mm 4.5
50 mm 1.8

canon rebel
50mm
70-300mm 4.5

an old canon f something, I can't remember what it was, with one lens the 50 mm.

and assorted filters and adapters, up converters and down converters.... flashes....... etc....

they offered 150 for the whole batch!!! I said thanks and left........I haven't been back since.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by pstep50345

I will be in Houston this weekend and would like to know your recommendations for the best camera store. I am looking to buy a Nikon D70 with the 18-70 kit and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens. I am actually from Dallas and intended to buy from a local store but am unexpectedly going to be in Houston instead. Thanks.

Camera Co-Op. They impressed me when I was there and I've got a bag on order with them (a Crumpler Bryan's Hot Tub) which was actually cheaper than web prices!

[Steelsun]

Hou Cam Exchange and Hou Cam Co-op are the two biggie professional stores.

HCX usually has alot more in stock, but the Co-Op is usually cheaper and friendlier. I've bought from both, and would rather buy from the Co-Op 90% of the time.

The Co-Op recently opened a new store and closed their old location (which was a cramped storefront near Richmond & SHephard). The new place is supposed to be bigger, with more stuff in stock, but I have not been there yet. They used to (hope they still do) have a table with all kinds of used junk to sort through for cheap bargains. I picked up a few filters there to use just the rings when I was trying to make home-made filters for about $1 each.

[eurotrash]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

The Co-Op recently opened a new store and closed their old location (which was a cramped storefront near Richmond & SHephard). The new place is supposed to be bigger, with more stuff in stock, but I have not been there yet. They used to (hope they still do) have a table with all kinds of used junk to sort through for cheap bargains. I picked up a few filters there to use just the rings when I was trying to make home-made filters for about $1 each.

yeah the guys are awesome and the location is easier to get to. its still harder than hell to negotiate parking but this location is wayyy bigger and yes the old bootleg table is still there...you can find some gems if you look hard enough. the workers are so nice...but i think its just because they hit on my gf every time. go to co-op though. HCE is super expensive.

[Sheldon]

My vote goes to Pro Photo Supply or Camera CO-OP. Unfortunatly, Houston Camera Exchange carries a larger selection. I guess it depends on whether you are wanting to buy or just browse. I mail order all my "expensive" items (cameras and lenses) through B&H.

I was very impressed with the sales help at Pro Photo. They carry more Nikon than Canon though.

http://www.prophotosupplycorp.com/

[Manny]

Originally Posted by eurotrash

yeah the guys are awesome and the location is easier to get to. its still harder than hell to negotiate parking but this location is wayyy bigger and yes the old bootleg table is still there...you can find some gems if you look hard enough. the workers are so nice...but i think its just because they hit on my gf every time. go to co-op though. HCE is super expensive.

haha ya the parking is still a pain in the ass.....!! ugh.!!! but atleast you can still park around the side. and they don't share the parking spots with anyone. haha.

[sbug_adam]

camera co-op is overpriced as well! i've seen similar products at both places with camera co-op being more than the exchange. best bet in my opinion.. bhphoto.com or buy it used on ebay! or even Fred Miranda

Adam

[eurotrash]

Originally Posted by sbug_adam

camera co-op is overpriced as well! i've seen similar products at both places with camera co-op being more than the exchange. best bet in my opinion.. bhphoto.com or buy it used on ebay! or even Fred Miranda

Adam

well yeah that goes without saying...we order all of our more expensive gear online, but for last minute boxes of color paper and film/chemicals we go to the co-op

[gpgyo]

Originally Posted by Sheldon

My vote goes to Pro Photo Supply or Camera CO-OP. Unfortunatly, Houston Camera Exchange carries a larger selection. I guess it depends on whether you are wanting to buy or just browse. I mail order all my "expensive" items (cameras and lenses) through B&H.

I was very impressed with the sales help at Pro Photo. They carry more Nikon than Canon though.

http://www.prophotosupplycorp.com/

When I was considering a Sigma 120-300 Pro Photo Supply Co. had a comptetitive price and the lowest in Houston (of course, it could be had cheaper online.) I thought they were nice guys and I would go there if I needed something and didn't have time to order it (or if I was buying a lens like the Sigma 120-300 where you could not count on getting a good one the first time.)

This will be of little benefit to you; however, PPSC is closed Sat and Sun.

Have fun,
Greg

[Manny]

Originally Posted by gpgyo

When I was considering a Sigma 120-300 Pro Photo Supply Co. had a comptetitive price and the lowest in Houston (of course, it could be had cheaper online.) I thought they were nice guys and I would go there if I needed something and didn't have time to order it (or if I was buying a lens like the Sigma 120-300 where you could not count on getting a good one the first time.)

This will be of little benefit to you; however, PPSC is closed Sat and Sun.

Have fun,
Greg

where is this place? Is it new? ppsc?