Читать книгу Digital Photography For Dummies - King Julie Adair, Julie Adair King - Страница 42

Whatever camera you decide to buy, remember these shopping tips:

 Be suspicious of unusually low prices. If you see new camera equipment offered for significantly less than it's priced at major retailers, you can be pretty sure you're buying gray market goods. These are goods manufactured for sale in other countries, where the market may require lower prices than in your neck of the woods. Gray-market sellers snap up those bargain-priced models, import them, and then offer them to you at “bargain” prices. Usually, your purchase turns out to be anything but a good deal, however. You may find that the camera warranty is no good in your country, the user manual is written in a foreign language, or you have to pay extra for components that usually are included in the camera box, such as the battery charger.

 Remember that a higher price tag doesn't necessarily translate to better pictures. Yes, you typically pay more for cameras that offer the features that deliver higher photo quality, such as larger image sensors. But just as with any other product, you can also pay a premium for vanity features, such as a limited-edition model that bears a celebrity's name or has a case made out of leather. Go for it if those things make you happy; just don't expect them to improve your photos. Nor does paying through the nose for the latest and greatest smartphone promise of superb image quality; as detailed elsewhere in this chapter, the smaller sensors and lenses used for smartphones simply can't produce the ultimate in image quality.

 Check the return policy. Find out about the camera’s warranty and the return policy of the store where you plan to buy. Many retailers charge a restocking fee, which means that unless the camera is defective, you’re charged a fee for the privilege of returning or exchanging the camera. Some sellers charge restocking fees of 10 to 20 percent of the camera’s price. You might also consider renting the camera you're interested in for a day or two so you can be sure it's the right choice. Some camera stores offer this service, and you also can rent from online companies such as BorrowLenses (www.borrowlenses.com) and Lensrentals (www.lensrentals.com).