Best Online Store for Photo Equipment

Talk to most professional photographers and they’ll tell you they’ve ordered equipment from B & H Photo and Video. Their inventory is vast, their sales force is very knowledgeable and they are overall considered the most reliable and legitimate source for gear for beginners to professionals. They also have a brick and mortar store in NYC that is an experience unto itself to visit.

Samy’s is, one might argue, with its extensive inventory and brick and mortar stores, the west coast equivalent of B & H. With six locations from San Francisco to Orange County, they also sell online and offer quick, free shipping for purchases over $49 and a 30-day return policy. Unfortunately, they only ship to consumers in the US for now.

A third great option is Adorama which, like both B & H and Samy’s, has an extensive inventory. We particularly appreciate their learning center and videos on AdoramaTV as well as their loyalty program. They also host presentations and other educational events at their location in New York City.

Top Choices for Used Gear

If you’re looking to sell or trade in your gear, our top choice is KEH Camera, a well established outfit that makes it especially easy to sell used gear online with instant quotes and fast payment.

A more recent option (founded 2011) is MPB and is our other top choice for selling and trading in gear with an easy to navigate site and a wide selection of equipment.

Gear Focus is third great option known for their low commission fee and laser focus on photography and video gear.

Best Online Service for High Quality Prints

Here at Photo Artfolio, we’re a big fan of Bay Photo. Based in San Francisco, they provide a wide variety of high quality printed products (and also offer framing), are consistent in quality and have great customer support. While they may be priced slightly higher than some of the other online printing services, their extra careful packaging and exceptional print quality has won our loyalty.

Another top choice for high end prints is Millers Lab. While again this service will cost you more than their more mainstream equivalents like Mpix or Shutterfly, if you’re looking to print photos for an exhibit or portfolio book, Millers’ print quality is worth the extra cost.

Another great option is Loktah which offers high quality printing and a range of archival paper options. Like Millers, Loktah is on the pricier side but a great resource if you’re printing for an exhibit.