Stores that let you try lenses?

[photoans]

I want to try a couple lenses with my 20D before buying.

Which physical stores (national brands) let you try lenses in person if you bring your camera in?

I went to a best buy, and the employees didn't know anything about the cameras or lenses.

Also, which stores have a low/no restocking fee if you buy a lens and end up disliking it?

[COKE CAN]

I want to try a couple lenses with my 20D before buying.

Which physical stores (national brands) let you try lenses in person if you bring your camera in?

I went to a best buy, and the employees didn't know anything about the cameras or lenses.

Also, which stores have a low/no restocking fee if you buy a lens and end up disliking it?

I would try Ritz Camera. I'm not sure if they let you try them, but their employees are idiots so I'm sure you can con them.

[rdenney]

Which physical stores (national brands) let you try lenses in person if you bring your camera in?


Any good camera store will do that. Why national brands? Few national brands have the sort of thing serious amateurs are interested in. There are a few Ritz and Wolf camera stores that have a few things, but most seem to stock point-n-shoots, picture frames, and one-hour photofinishing.

Better would be to ask which camera stores people like in which cities. I know of good camera stores in half a dozen cities, and I bet others do, too.

Rick "unimpressed with the chains" Denney

[Dante King]

I want to try a couple lenses with my 20D before buying.

Which physical stores (national brands) let you try lenses in person if you bring your camera in?

I went to a best buy, and the employees didn't know anything about the cameras or lenses.

Also, which stores have a low/no restocking fee if you buy a lens and end up disliking it?

this is exactly why I shop and BUY at my local camera store. They are good and let me snap anything I want on my camera. It does not save me $$$ like B&H would but I want the local shop to remain in biz and trying before buying is one of the best reasons i do it.

[Az2Africa]

If you are in Arizona, Tempe Camera in Tempe and Photomark in Phoenix have a great selection, very knowledgable staff and will let you try any lens in the store or rent you one for a few days to try out.

[thomasrhee]

Look in the yellow pages for your local "mom and pop" camera shop. I've never come across one that wouldn't let me try out the hardware in the store.

Also, try your local Wolf/Ritz camera shops. Try to find the "signature" stores which are better stocked. They don't have any problems letting me try out lenses in-store with my own camera or with their demo 20D or XT.

[steibeldj]

Many have commented on the lack of business given to local camera stores when B&H photo and other internet companies are in the picture. If you live in New York, you can go down to quite a few of these stores. The internet has opened them up to us here in other areas of the country.

It is my experience that only the largest Ritz/Wolf camera will carry the latest digital SLR or 'L' glass or anything above $750. What they typically will have is a customer order return on the shelf. (read: bad lens) I was unable to try-before buy for this reason.

It would be nice to find someone from this forum or a local club that has lenses I am interested in. I wouldn't mind sharing mine for an hour or so at one of these club meetings.

[sixshot]

I have been into one camera shop in China and they wouldn't even let me pick up the 20D. If I did I had to but it first.

[photoans]

I saw that Circut city had some good EF lenses. Was wondering if anyone had tried them.

I am in Atlanta, anyone know any good stores here?

[alfa1six4]

I saw that Circut city had some good EF lenses. Was wondering if anyone had tried them.

I am in Atlanta, anyone know any good stores here?

There is a Ritz superstore on 14th St. downtown Atlanta. You might also try KEH Camera. They have a wide variety of new and used cameras/lens. Check them out at www.keh.com (http://www.keh.com) .

[griff2]

Jessops in the UK will let you try any equipment out. I wanted to try the 17-40 f/4L, so they ordered it in, no obligation! I liked it and got it from B & H, got stung for import duty/VAT though:evil: