Don't mess around. B&H or Adorama are the places to purchase.

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Chuck Dee - AKA Chris
"A good photograph is knowing where to stand." -Ansel Adams
www.bellissimofoto.com

I got serious about photography about 5 years ago. Messed around with it for 35 years prior. When I got into DSLR cameras all of a sudden I am paying some serious money for this stuff. It took me a few years to learn how to buy. That included figuring out what I really wanted, what could I afford, where to buy it and other questions like that. So I put a blog post together to share what I have learned. You can read it here:

http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com/how-buy-dslr-stuff/

The short version is buy used or refurbished Canon or Nikon Cameras and Lens. Sigma and Tamron are good as well. Think a lot about what you want. Read the reviews, talk to other photographers, rent one if you can. Then buy it at your local camera shop if they are competitive. If not use Ebay, B&H, Adorama, or Fred Miranda. There is a lot more detail in my blog. Let me know what you think.
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Bob Keenan
http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com

Originally Posted by bobbyk I got serious about photography about 5 years ago. Messed around with it for 35 years prior. When I got into DSLR cameras all of a sudden I am paying some serious money for this stuff. It took me a few years to learn how to buy. That included figuring out what I really wanted, what could I afford, where to buy it and other questions like that. So I put a blog post together to share what I have learned. You can read it here: http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com/how-buy-dslr-stuff/ .................. Bob Keenan http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com

Well done! I am in the process of shopping for a Nikon lens or two.

One thing I would add for Nikon lenses is this site http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html which lists the serial numbers by model and year produced.

Do you know of one for Canon lenses?

Not all sellers provide the serial number up front, but if you ask they will provide it. For lenses with long production runs it helps to know how old it is.

Phil

Originally Posted by lifeinfocus Well done! I am in the process of shopping for a Nikon lens or two. One thing I would add for Nikon lenses is this site http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html which lists the serial numbers by model and year produced. Do you know of one for Canon lenses? Not all sellers provide the serial number up front, but if you ask they will provide it. For lenses with long production runs it helps to know how old it is. Phil

What a great resource. I have never seen a similar site for canon lenses. There are sites that explain the date code. And you can search for lens issues, knowing the manufacture date and serial number. But nothing like the Nikon page that you referenced.