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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Ritzcamera.com stinks!
So I have bought all of my previous camera equipment from B&H (YAY!) and Neptune (eh...would not make a big purchase there again), but I didn't think I'd have time to get to the store and I thought I could save on salestax with Ritzcamera.com since they charge no tax and shipping is free on orders over a certain amount.
So i got online to chat with a representative. Now I know what I want, but I wanted to get some feedback. I asked about the camera I want and a specific lens. She comes back with a price for the camera with Ritz's brand lens (Quantaray) which is crap. I said , no, I am only interested in Nikkor, and gave her the mfr #. It took forever for her to look it up. I asked if they could match B&H's price. She didn't seem to know what B&H was (***?) and in the end came down a few bucks. Then I asked for info on a speedlight, she recommended something really so much more than I needed (The SB-800), and I asked what the difference was between the 800 and the 600. She listed "well the 800 has x, y ans z" and I said "so does the 600 to my knowledge" She said "well there are feature differences that, depending on your needs may or may not justify the additional expense" Oh really? I hadn't thought of that. So I asked SEVERAL times, can I please speak with someone who shoots Nikon and knows the equipment. In the meantime I called the number, asked the same question and was hung up on. Finally the online rep gets a supervisor.
the supervisor gets on the line and reads the notes and says "OH I recommend the 800" I said "why?" NO rep asked mw what I'd be using it for. again he was LOOKING stuff up, started telling me all of this crap direct from the product description, and I said "I am not looking for all of that. Clearly I am looking at a walkaround lens, I want a walkaround speedlight. You didn't even ask me what i would be using this for, how can you make this assessment?" and I said "You have to understand where I'm coming from. I am trying to give your store a chance, but I am used to walking into a camera store and having people who actually know the equipment be able to tell me the pros and cons of different things in 2 seconds" and he said :well maybe you should walk into a store where you will be better served" Then I said "Have you workied with this equipment at all?" And he said "I don't use a DSLR, I have a Nikon Coolpix" I wish it were in person so I could have laughed in his face.
How can they sell cameras if they don't know *** they are talking about?!
I am going to B&H!
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Posted 5/8/08 9:46 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
I just had a horrible experience with them as well! Good luck!
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| Posted 5/8/08 9:50 AM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
I just had a similar problem at Circuit City. The guy was trying to tell me that the D80 had an image stabilizer in the camera. I was like are you flucking kidding me. I've never even had a DSLR and might not know much about photography, but I have been researching them for months and knew very well that there was no IS in the D80.
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| Posted 5/8/08 10:33 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Best Buy, Circuit City, Ritz, are all having specials, but they just don't know the equipment. I thought I could save a trip to manhattan (which is rough for me since they close at 7 and I work upstate), but it's worth it to go to B&H. Even though I am 95% sure of what I am buying, it makes me feel better to talk to someone who can give suggestions, etc.
What got me was that I asked for someone who shoots Nikon and they sent me someone who uses a Coolpix! ***?
I mean I switched to Nikon from Minolta at the suggestion of the camera store peeps who said Nikon or Canon are what pros shoot, and they assessed my needs and helped me find the perfect camera for me. i love my 35mm. It's really a GREAT camera (the N80), and I got everything I needed.
Message edited 5/8/2008 11:08:31 AM.
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| Posted 5/8/08 11:06 AM |
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J9-13
We're gonna be big sisters!
Member since 6/06 14887 total posts
Name:
J9
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Aww...that stinks! 
I just went to the Ritz Camera store in Carle Place and the lady there knew her stuff. I walked out of there with everthing I needed. BUT, I went in knowing what I wanted. She didn't ask what I was using it for.
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| Posted 5/8/08 11:57 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by MrsF519
Aww...that stinks!
I just went to the Ritz Camera store in Carle Place and the lady there knew her stuff. I walked out of there with everthing I needed. BUT, I went in knowing what I wanted. She didn't ask what I was using it for.
Apparently the web site and the stores are two different companies! How weird is that?
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| Posted 5/8/08 11:58 AM |
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frosty
LIF Toddler
Member since 5/05 462 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
I've always had a good experience with Cameta Camera. DH got both of our Nikons there and I recently got an external flash from them.
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| Posted 5/8/08 12:48 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
That stinks!! What terrible service!!
Definitely go with B&H. Or Cameta.
FTR, the main difference between the SB800 and SB600 is that the SB800 can act a wireless master in a multi flash off camera sync'd setup. An SB600 can't. If you were ever going to have that setup, you'd need an SB600 ANYWAY.
So for your first speedlight you'd start off with the SB600, not the SB800 - like you said, you don't need all that. And it's more expensive of course.
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:34 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by BabyAvocado
That stinks!! What terrible service!!
Definitely go with B&H. Or Cameta.
FTR, the main difference between the SB800 and SB600 is that the SB800 can act a wireless master in a multi flash off camera sync'd setup. An SB600 can't. If you were ever going to have that setup, you'd need an SB600 ANYWAY.
So for your first speedlight you'd start off with the SB600, not the SB800 - like you said, you don't need all that. And it's more expensive of course.
Thanks! I defintiely don't need the 800, outside of the studio I've never used more than one flash in my life.
I think I have decided. I am so excited. I'm going today.
I picked out a really nice lens, though I sort of feel guilty that it's so expensive ($700, not much at all as far as good lenses go, but I've survived on cheapo kit lenses this long). I'm also wondering if for the extra $150 I should get a kit lens anyway as an extra (but I already have lenses from my 35mm)
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:37 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Yay!! Enjoy! 
Do you mean a kit lens instead of the speedlight? I would say no to that - speedlight definitely.
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:40 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by BabyAvocado
Yay!! Enjoy!
Do you mean a kit lens instead of the speedlight? I would say no to that - speedlight definitely.
No, kit lens in addiiton, since they're so fracking cheap. But I already have 2 lenses I can use from my N80, so I wasn't planning to.
I definitely need a speedlight.
-Camera
-Lens
-Speedlight
-Neoprene Strap
-UV Filer
-Lens wipes
Anything else?
I am so excited. I have been saving for a year! Most of the money is coming from gift certificates I won from sales contests at work. I saved every one of them!
ETA: I should be able to use the SB-800 with my N80 too, right?
Message edited 5/8/2008 1:45:17 PM.
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:44 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
What about SD cards? Do you have them already - you'll want a 2GB or 4GB; and a spare battery, maybe a card reader.
Or maybe nix all that and buy PS Elements or Lightroom.
Oh and buy some stock in Energizer - the SB600/800 CHEW through batteries. 
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:48 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by JenniferEver
ETA: I should be able to use the SB-800 with my N80 too, right?
Not 100% sure on that...but I would think so. Double check that.
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:51 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by BabyAvocado
What about SD cards? Do you have them already - you'll want a 2GB or 4GB; and a spare battery, maybe a card reader.
Or maybe nix all that and buy PS Elements or Lightroom.
Oh and buy some stock in Energizer - the SB600/800 CHEW through batteries.
THANK You. I definitely need SD cards. I had some extras thet FH nbought me, breand new in my camera case (;little teeny thing for my coolpix) and then I lost it. 
I have PS Elements on my mac!
My printer has card slots, and the camera comes with a USB cable..do I need a card reader?
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| Posted 5/8/08 1:54 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
I don't use a card reader. I just go right from my camera to my computer.
I'm sure this goes without saying but I'll say it anyway....LENS FILTER.
I have two 4 GB cards, shooting in jpg, not raw yields about 1500 photos.
eta. & LMAO at the coolpix comment. If you don't know the difference, how do you recommend it? oh year, go for the higher priced item
Message edited 5/8/2008 2:25:17 PM.
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| Posted 5/8/08 2:24 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by nrthshgrl
I don't use a card reader. I just go right from my camera to my computer.
I'm sure this goes without saying but I'll say it anyway....LENS FILTER.
I have two 4 GB cards, shooting in jpg, not raw yields about 1500 photos.
eta. & LMAO at the coolpix comment. If you don't know the difference, how do you recommend it? oh year, go for the higher priced item
I seriously wanted to laugh in his face!
Barb, what lens do you have?
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| Posted 5/8/08 2:34 PM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
You may want to look into a digital white balance filter - it's a lot more convenient than carrying around a grey card
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| Posted 5/8/08 2:45 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by NinaLemon
You may want to look into a digital white balance filter - it's a lot more convenient than carrying around a grey card
I haven't really messed with white balance. This is my firsy DSLR
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| Posted 5/8/08 2:47 PM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by JenniferEver
Best Buy, Circuit City, Ritz, are all having specials, but they just don't know the equipment.
Your right - but I went to BestBuy to take advantage of the 18 months no interest.
I have to say when I finally went to pick it up the woman in the camera department was a semi-pro and helped me so much as far as buying the filters and card, etc. But that is one salesperson out of the about 10 that I have been dealing with in deciding which camera to buy.
I ended up with the D80 with the 18-135 lens and 70-300.
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| Posted 5/8/08 3:37 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by 4ForMe
Posted by JenniferEver
Best Buy, Circuit City, Ritz, are all having specials, but they just don't know the equipment.
Your right - but I went to BestBuy to take advantage of the 18 months no interest.
I have to say when I finally went to pick it up the woman in the camera department was a semi-pro and helped me so much as far as buying the filters and card, etc. But that is one salesperson out of the about 10 that I have been dealing with in deciding which camera to buy.
I ended up with the D80 with the 18-135 lens and 70-300.
I know what i want, and I've been shooting with SLRs for I don't know 9 years, and with Nikon for about 6 years. So I know that part. I also did a lot of research about the cameras. But there's something comforting about being able to talk to someone about it when you buy it.
I also just wanted someone to explain the real life differences between the D60 and the D80 to justify the expense (there are crazy specials on the D60) and to tell me that I don't need the D300 (as much as I WANT it)
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| Posted 5/8/08 3:40 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Re: Ritz
I kind of understand if Best Buy doesn't know that much since they're more of a general electronics store that also sells cameras, but RtizCamera.com is a camera store. Cameras are what they do. If they don't know cameras what do they know?
And no, using a Nikon Coolpix does not mean you know cameras.
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| Posted 5/8/08 3:43 PM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by NinaLemon
You may want to look into a digital white balance filter - it's a lot more convenient than carrying around a grey card
I haven't really messed with white balance. This is my firsy DSLR
I use it for metering. It's really helpful to have a grey card or a white balance filter if you have scenes with excessive lights or darks - or if you will be shooting portraits, it just helps to get your exposure right. I also started with a totally manual K1000 a million years ago so I am used to and prefer manually metering and to bracket for any questionable exposures.
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| Posted 5/8/08 3:47 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ritzcamera.com stinks!
Posted by NinaLemon
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by NinaLemon
You may want to look into a digital white balance filter - it's a lot more convenient than carrying around a grey card
I haven't really messed with white balance. This is my firsy DSLR
I use it for metering. It's really helpful to have a grey card or a white balance filter if you have scenes with excessive lights or darks - or if you will be shooting portraits, it just helps to get your exposure right. I also started with a totally manual K1000 a million years ago so I am used to and prefer manually metering and to bracket for any questionable exposures.
.
I think I had an 18% grey card at one point, but I never used it. I just bracketed or fixed it in the printing.
I'm actually a lot better at printing than at exposure. I know a photo is only as good as the negative, but I was pretty good at burning in highlights, etc.
ETA: The jump to digital is a BIG one for me. I waited a long time. Until this christmas I didn't even have a digital point and shoot.
Message edited 5/8/2008 3:51:04 PM.
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| Posted 5/8/08 3:50 PM |
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