Ritz Camera - Ritz University Classes?

[OpticalPrime]

today I took a long lunch and headed to Ritz Camera on South Cooper in Arlington. I looked at all the different ones and have finally made up my mind. Im going to go with the Canon XTi.

Im curious if anyone has had any expierence with them and done any of their classes or know someone who has. Is it any good or a waist of my time?

[ShutteredEye]

I know there are people on this board that work for Ritz/Wolf Camera.

However, I've had HORRRRRRIBLE customer service experiences at that specific store you mention. In fact my wife made me promise to stop going in there because every time I did, I got screwed over.

I'd stay far away from them if I were you....

[OpticalPrime]

well I was only there for about 15 mins. In fact I thought that it was Arlington Camera when I headed there. Anyway, I got a guy to help and he was semi-helpful, took pictures inside the store and showed me a few things.... but did mention all the classes are out of their N. Arlington store and not this one

[ShutteredEye]

I can't speak for where you're at photographically speaking because I don't know you. However, I started out a complete newbie 3 years ago with a entry level film camera. The best education I found was to get out and shoot!!! This board has been a tremendous source of education for me, as have the get togethers. If you go out with a group of photogs from here, there will be no shortage of people who would gladly help you learn the controls of your camera, or answer your questions.

[epoh]

I took a continuing education class from TCC several years ago and it was only like $80. They taught all the very basics of photography that you need to get started. I'm sure they have other classes now (I think they have a class specifically for digital cameras), and they probably cost more now, but it was an excellent class.

[dtscds]

When I bought my first point-n-shoot I got the same deal--the booklet of tickets. While the tickets being worth $270 may be debatable, I did get some good out of the 2 or 3 classes I attended. You will learn some basics that everyone needs to know. (Composing, rule of thirds, depth and how telephoto affects it, how to use something besides full auto mode.) I suppose it depends on who is teaching the classes. If you don't consider the "value/cost" of the classes in with the price you should be pretty happy. But, if you were to go in and pay $270 for a few classes I don't think you would be too pleased with that purchase.
I have seen lots of really great photos on this forum taken with that level camera. I think you will be pretty far down the road before the camera itself is holding you back.
Since I am not the worlds biggest fan of Wolf/Ritz I would suggest you check with Arlington Camera before you plunk down your cash. Thinking Wolf will have the best price just because they are a big chain is not usually correct in my experience. Definitely buy local though. It is good to be able to go back where you got it if you need to. Never been a big fan of buying stuff online just to save a few bucks. Take the $150 you will save online and spread that out over a few years that you will own the camera and it starts getting pretty insignificant--$30/year over just 5 years. I think it is a great deal to have a local expert standing behind my purchase for $30 a year.
Hang out here and you will learn TONS! This is an unbelievable resource for those of us who are still trying to figure out which one is our rear-end and which is the hole in the ground!
Good luck

[amadjuster]

Take $100 you save and join NAPP. You will have access to all kinds of helpful things. Or take a basic course at a Community College. Or buy a basic book like Digital Photography for Dummies or others. You can get a world of education right here and going on some shoots with others can sure help. Just spread you questions around. I think you will be well served to save the $$ or but from a real local dealer. He will probably show you more than the "courses" you will get, anyway.

[byarger]

I just looked at Arlington Camera's website. I believe they also have the XTI and 18-55 for $799 and they are a Forum spnosor. PLUS, they also have some camera classes. I have bought most of my equipment there for 20+ years and would not hesitate to recommend their products and services. Wolf/Ritz is what it is and you don't have the consistency of service and knowledge you get elsewhere. my 2 cents.

[pippin]

ok, #1. never go back to that store again.

#2. the price currently is $779 not $799. so they told you the wrong price.

#3. The classes are ok, aimed at people that don't know alot. My manager up here teaches the classes in the denver area, so I see alot of people. Common misconception is that each class is tailored to a specific camera. If it doesn't say that, then its a general class.

4. Excursions. Yes, they do do them. We do one with wild birds (hawkquest) and a field trip to garden of the gods throughout the year. The excursions seem to be the most popular.

As for the XTi class, usually ones like that do cost money as they are specially run classes. Typically run about $50 with a gift card or something to that effect. Usually run city-wide at a hotel or somesuch place and generally run by a rep from the company. The nikon ones were run by a guy from nikon.

[Davidtxs]

call Jay at Arlington Camera support a forum sponsor

[msthomas]

Scott
One of my friends use to teach in the north dallas store. And I bouth two of my D70s from them. Bought the D200 online.
Both my wife and I had the same offer as far as the class, we only took one class. So they made out offering a $270.00 class and taking only one class.
Would I buy something there today, yes.

[pippin]

Originally Posted by 00bolt

This typically retails for $270 but free if you buy a new SLR from them.

actually, it comes with all cameras over $100 actually ;)


I used to work in one of the stores in North Dallas, now I work in one in Denver.

[loana0320]

I took a class here in Houston in one of them, the guy was really nice and tried to help me I was /am a newbie and had the camera for like two weeks before I took the class but I was determined to use it in manual and the guy never went into detail and seem confused when I would ask some questions so I guess I been learning online and reading a lot