Foo - Patronizing LPS just like LBS?

With LPS being your local photo shop, do you buy new cameras and accesories where you can hold and try them?

I'm in the market for a P&S ($250 max) with good photo quality and reasonable shutter lag. I get the impression that no P&S warrant adjectives like excellent when it comes to shooting stuff that's moving (kids, pets, etc.)

It's tough to gage camera speed without trying it. I cannot do that at the big box stores because their display cameras are tethered and not powered for obvious reasons. Local photo shops would allow testing, holding, etc and their prices are higher.

So, where did you buy your last digital camera?...big box, online retailer, or locally?

The review websites I've looked at seem to be very interested in the shutter lag metrics.
Last camera was a gift. The next one will likely come from a LCS. For some reason, the LCSs here seem to be price-competitive with the big electronics stores.

I have a p&s from a "big box store". It's a very nice camera and it can shoot moving things and things in low light. But it can't do both very well. You might look at the Canon S90. Reviews sugges (http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm)t this should be in your "short list" despite being just outside your price range.

The S90 is ~$350 and yes its ratings are very impressive. I'll spend bigger bucks on an entry level DSLR (like the Nikon D5000) eventually. But for now, a $200-ish P&S will suffice...currently looking at the Canon SD780.

I am considering supporting a LCS when I'm ready to upgrade my DSLR body. My issue is that the only shop in town plays a radio station which only plays Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving up through Christmas. I know that I will always need something within that time frame and don't want to be betrothed to a store which raises my blood pressure so.

That and they've always been pretentious dooshes when I've gone in.

But for now, a $200-ish P&S will suffice...currently looking at the Canon SD780.

That's exactly what we just got. Costco. I would consider googling though for the lowest possible price (price+shipping combo...)

That's exactly what we just got. Costco. I would consider googling though for the lowest possible price (price+shipping combo...)

Are you pleased with the photo quality? The opinions I've read on dpreview were somewhat wishy washy, yet cnet's review was quite good. Canon's online store has it for $150. Haven't checked the one LCS but I'd expect that they'd have it since it is a bit old as cameras go, and therefore may be a comparable price.

I would say that all the negative aspects that people cite about LBSs are magnified in LPSs. I've never found a photo store that didn't go off the deep end really quickly in terms of throwing unintelligible lingo at me and getting very exclusivist. I go big box with my camera purchases. I find that unlike the bike situation where someone at a big box store is unlikely to know anything about the product or be able to answer simple questions, the associates at places like Best Buy are actually reasonably well-briefed, AND can explain the various features to the novice.

I have not had good luck with the LPS, in that I seem to know more than the typical sales associate. I buy semi-pro/advanced amateur equipment, so I may be outside their target demographics. I do my own research and usually buy my big-ticket items such as bodies or lenses at Amazon, B&H or Adorama based on price. I have not been disappointed purchasing from these three vendors. I will buy incidentals from the LPS.

Come to think of it, this same philosophy usually applies to my LBS, too.

action? get a low end "SLR". in my opinion

I go to the big chain store where I don't feel bad about handling the wares without buying anything, then I buy online.

Naturally, I assumed the P in LPS meant Porn, so I'm now dejected.

That said, Ive been considering a digital low end SLR, and when I buy it will be at some store in town, though it may be a smallish chain as opposed to a true mom and pop. I just can't justify the extra jack.

Ironic.. I click on this thread and get camera ad's!

Naturally, I assumed the P in LPS meant Porn, so I'm now dejected.
If it makes you feel better, that kind of store probably has cameras too...where you least expect or want them. Though they're probably not for sale anyhow. But feel free to "model" for them.

There's only one local camera store in my town but the store where I got my iMac is a short hour's drive away. They've always had great customer service (and are also a camera store), just like a good bike shop should.

The nearby LPS actually had decent prices but I rarely want eye rolling with a lens. I bought my Nikon D40X from them and I am happy with it but the sales guy just sighed as I requested the camera and lenses. I pretty much bored him with my purchase. Then he talked me out of a third lens because it wouldn't metre with the camera body. I bought it a year later used from their competition for a fifth
of the cost. He did me a favour but not one for his employers. I now badger friends heading to NYC to pick up stuff there for me from B+H.

I used to trade with a shop in Atlanta until I bought some expensive glass from them. After that every time I entered the shop it was a full press high pressure sales spiel. Can't stand going in there now.

B&H, KEH, and Calumet are my shops now.

I bought my Nikkor mount lenses and my Nikon D-90 body from Adorama. I have used B&H before, and found Adorama's customer service to be a little better. I used to buy my Fuji Velvia 50 film from them as well.

I don't have a local photo shop anymore since I live in the sticks.

We bought a point and shoot for the wife at WorstBuy.

I used to trade with a shop in Atlanta until I bought some expensive glass from them. After that every time I entered the shop it was a full press high pressure sales spiel. Can't stand going in there now.

B&H, KEH, and Calumet are my shops now.

wolf?

wolf?
When I lived in Denver, I went into Wolf Camera twice. Not a store I would frequent except to window shop while the wife is clothes shopping or something.

wolf?

Showcase.
The sales staff have quotas or they are pulled off the floor.
Once they know you will buy something other than a lens cap they are on you like horseflys.