by Anura Guruge

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Please click to ENLARGE and savor.

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As some of you know, and as some may have deduced, I buy a fair number of mid-range cameras per year — and though I haven’t counted of late I think it was somewhere in the 14 – 17 range in the last three years. So, by trial and error, some luck and some setbacks I have worked out the best places from which to buy cameras ONLINE — given that there are NO camera stores within 75-miles of me that carry the types of cameras I fancy.

So over the last 3 years I have bought cameras from Canon (directly), Amazon (multiple times), Beach Camera/BuyDig (multiple times) and Cameta Camera (multiple times). But I got the BEST PRICES from Cardinal Camera and they are the only ones who have sent me a lollipop with a camera.

I encountered Cardinal Camera on Amazon when they had a peek-a-boo $699 deal on the Sony a6000 dual-lens kit. The offer (i.e., price) would come and go. I kept an eye on it for weeks and then when I saw it appear I ordered it — THROUGH Amazon — at $699. It arrived, brand new with the lollipop. That was ONE heck of a deal! I got the a6000 to get me prepared for the Sony a6500 and I traded it in, at Amazon, earlier this Summer.

Then I had to buy the Sony a6500 dual lens kit.

I, as ever, did a huge amount of research. I had bought my Sony a7 II from Cameta Camera because I couldn’t resist some of the ‘freebies’ in their bundle — in the main the battery. But, I didn’t want to get another ‘useless’ bundle from Cameta and IF the truth be known I would rather NOT deal with them. Something about them that jars me.

Then I had an idea.

I called up Cardinal Camera directly and spoke with a salesman — Scott. Very nice guy. Explained my situation, what I wanted and that I had bought an a6000 kit from them earlier. He understood. He went and spoke with his manager — a couple of times. I got one heck of a deal! Straight price reduction and free 2-day shipping. No bundles … Yes, one heck of a discount. That is the way to go.

This MAY come as a shock BUT I currently have no plans to buy another camera! I am quite happy and content with my Sony a7 II and Sony a6500 (and Nikon P900) and some may, quite rightly point out, that I sure should be. But, IF I am looking for another camera next year I will definitely start with Cardinal Camera.

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by Anura Guruge