I need help. I've been debating buying a Nikon D300 body and I've been looking around for some good deals, and I saw these two sites.

Photo Dynasty.com - Nikon D300 Body

Shop Digital Direct.com - Nikon D300 Body

The problem is that I don't know if they are legit. The prices are pretty low, the lowest I've seen (Except for the CC YMMV deal). Can anyhelp help me to determine if these are actually a good deal or am I going to get ripped off on these?

Photo Dynasty (Thumbs down)

ShopDigitalDirect (Again, thumbs down)

Unfortunately, there are all too many disreputable camera retailers. Before listing or asking about any camera gear deal from a lesser known retailer, it's probably worth taking a look at resellerratings.com. I'd say it should be listed as required, but what's the point? Almost nobody bothers reading those "Read this before posting" messages, anyway.

Here a link to a magazine article on some of the shady techniques and practices used by the less reputable sellers. The article's a few years old, but pretty much everything it says is still valid. I don't care how savvy you are - you're not going to beat a dishonest camera dealer. I've been buying camera gear, mostly from various NYC dealers, for over 30 years. I've been a lawyer for nearly 20 years. I spent several years where negotiating was a big part of how I earned my living. And I'm telling you, you will not succeed in getting a dishonest camera dealer to live up to the letter and spirit of his impossibly low advertised price. Don't waste your time trying.

As for recommended retailers, one of the largest camera dealers is also among the best - B&H Photo. I can also recommend KEH, but primarily for used gear (for which it's my top choice). I've had only good experiences with Beach Camera, and incredibly fast delivery from them. Although I didn't care for Adorama some years back, I'm told they're currently a good choice.

If it's too good to be true, well you know the rest. These Hi End camera Bodies are RARELY discounted more than 10%. Those "Brooklyn or should I say Crooklyn Boys" have got Balls of steal(Pun intended), I have read they tell people that they are Selling "International" Editions that don't come with some combo of the following: Plastic lens mounts, Firmware, Need a Viewfinder package, Charger/Battery, Knobs, Lcd screen package.

So how is it that magazines like Shutterbug can let these kinds of dealers advertise in them? For example, Broadway Photo, which 12345Michael54321's linked article makes many references to has a full 2 page spread in the September issue of Shutterbug!

How can reputable magazines who test and rate equipment and sellers like Broadway Photo let them have this much advertising space in their magazines? I understand they make the majority of their profits from advertising but when does the morality and reputation of the publication get torn to pieces?

cmv said:These sites are good and honest:

- Beach Camera (best bang for the $, maybe lower in the customer service department but I buy almost everything form them)
- Adorama
- B&H
- Calumet

Compare whatever price you find to these sites to see if it is realistic. Lots of rip off sites for cameras so look smart.
Also check out buydig.com, it is actually part of beach camera but sometimes they offer even lower prices.