looking for camera store in NJ

[coeng]

I'm looking for a local camera store in New Jersey (Wayne area). One that is big enough to hold a large inventory of lenses so that I can check them out on a lunch break. I don't have enough time to make it into the city to go to B&H. Anyone know of any?

[bigbillguts]

I don't know how far from you it is, but Beach Camera has their retail store in NJ:

http://www.beachcamera.com

They are in Greenbook and seem to have excellent prices.

[rdsmith3]

Try this place - Bergen Camera -- not too far from Wayne.

http://www.bergencountycamera.com/cam_main.html

I have been in this store. They seemed to have more Nikon lenses than Canon, but they might have what you want.

[Double Negative]

Beach Camera is great - they have very decent prices, but don't necessarily carry the higher-end stuff (long teles, etc.). They're in Edison, FWIW.

[flyfishnj]

Beach camera sucks -- Not helpful at all and the staff is just plain rude. Try Unique in Florham Park. Much more helpful and closer to you

[InfamousDX]

Bergen County Camera is ok.. I live 2 towns away. The web site definitely sucks but in-store they have a decent array of lenses to check out. I'd rather check out beach camera or take a trip to B&H.

[markubig]

Beach Camera is in Greenbrook (Route 22 E), which would be a hike for you. They carry Canon an Tamron lenses . . . i believe tokina as well. They do not carry Sigma. They have very competitive pricing. the actual store isn't the nicest-looking and the staff doesn't have too much personality.

Unique Photo in Florham Park (Vreeland Road) basically carries everything that you can find at B&H. They will also match B&H's pricing. Only thing is you have to pay 6% sales tax. Nice looking store . . they have a lot in stock for you to hold. Nice and knowledgeable sales staff.

Then there are your local camera shops (all nice people, but cannot compete w/ B&H prices . . . I've bought from each of the following because they were nice and helpful):
Photozone (Parsippany)
Madison Photo Plus (Madison & Summit)
Livingston Camera (Livingston & Millburn)

[Double Negative]

Beach camera sucks -- Not helpful at all and the staff is just plain rude. Try Unique in Florham Park. Much more helpful and closer to you
I don't ask them questions and I order online. I could care less about their opinions - I just want the low price. ;)

[coeng]

Unique Photo in Florham Park (Vreeland Road) basically carries everything that you can find at B&H. They will also match B&H's pricing. Only thing is you have to pay 6% sales tax. Nice looking store . . they have a lot in stock for you to hold. Nice and knowledgeable sales staff.

I'm gonna check out Unique Photo. Not too far for me. I've never actually "shopped" for a lens (I usually just take recommendations and buy from B&H online). Do you bring your own camera body? Do they allow you to try the lenses on your body? Any other advice for a first time "shopper"?

[markubig]

I'm gonna check out Unique Photo. Not too far for me. I've never actually "shopped" for a lens (I usually just take recommendations and buy from B&H online). Do you bring your own camera body? Do they allow you to try the lenses on your body? Any other advice for a first time "shopper"?you can bring your body there if you want or just try the lenses on one of the bodies there . . . i tried a 16-35L on a 5D there . . . felt pretty sweet (too bad i couldn't afford it:confused:)

[flyfishnj]

I don't ask them questions and I order on-line. I could care less about their opinions - I just want the low price. ;)

Hear ya there -- They've pissed me off so much, I avoid them. I've purchased a body and and a couple of lenses/ accessories from them and it has just gotten worse every time. Last time I went in, it was with 3 other photogs ready to buy a ton of stuff. Couldn't get anybody to even help. Guy that was there was picking his nose and rambling on about something irrelevant.

Besides, if you live in NJ, you order from B&H to avoid sales tax ... Unless you need it in a hurry or want to play with it

[Double Negative]

Yeah, exactly... I order from them mainly *because* they're in Jersey and I don't have to pay tax. B&H is a little more expensive to begin with plus the tax. Ouch.

Ahh well, whatever works. :)

[NJPhotoGuy]

Agreed about Beach Camera. The store environment itself is mostly unpleasant, and for the most part, the people who work sorely need lessons in providing courteous customer service. I've only has my 20D about a year now, but the couple times I've gone there to check out lenses for actual purchase (yes, I know I'd have to pay the sales tax, but I was willing to do that just to be able to check the lens out and take it with me that day), it's been hit or miss if they even have it on site. Of course they'll tell you they expect one in 'next week', but when you call the following week to see if one arrived, you get a curt 'No, call back next week' and then a hang up. So the last couple lenses I've purchased have been through B&H and have been very happy with them. Unfortunately I've not come across many camera stores in NJ that have had decent Canon stock, so when I want to see a lens or other piece of equipment that I'm seriously thinking about purchasing, I make it a point to stop by B&H when I do happen to be in the city so I can at least check it out in person. They have everything there.