I had planned to upgrade to a D300 which was going for about $1469 last month at B&H. However, it suddenly jumped to $1700. I would've thought in this economy prices wouldn't jump so much. I know Amazon is running it for $1500 but I had wanted to use B&H as I've always been happy with them.
Has anyone noticed in general a "best time" of the year to buy cameras? Should I have done it right after Christmas?
There's no "best time" on Craigslist, if you're not opposed to buying used. You could score a D300 with low actuations in great condition for $1200 or less.
Otherwise, I'd bet after PMA (in March) would be a good time. You'd think there'd be lots of deals with companies promoting their cameras at one of the largest photography trade shows.
EDIT: Ah, you have a D80 I see. I made the D80 -> D300 jump last December and LOVE it.
I'll probably end up with Amazon but I might call B&H and just ask them if they can do any better on the price. Seems strange that just a months ago it was $250 less.
I had planned to upgrade to a D300 which was going for about $1469 last month at B&H. However, it suddenly jumped to $1700. I would've thought in this economy prices wouldn't jump so much. I know Amazon is running it for $1500 but I had wanted to use B&H as I've always been happy with them.
Has anyone noticed in general a "best time" of the year to buy cameras? Should I have done it right after Christmas?
There is no best time as such. I was looking at buying the Sigma 50-500mm for the Pentax. Last week, Warehouse Express in the Uk were selling it for £710, I looked again on Wednesday and it was on back order for £1099...£300 more. Will I buy it from them? No way.
For the last 2 years, I have noticed Canon giving rebates on pretty much everything from sometime in Dec to mid January. They were manufacture rebates, not store rebates..
I've used Pricespider.com for tracking prices. I wanted a BluRay player. Last fall it started out at about $250, in the winter it dropped to $220. I bought. Then later in the winter it went up to $300 (best price). Who's to know how products get marketed but I've seen this pattern with other products too.
