This experience deserves a complete review. I've been a long time B&H customer...that all changed last week. I've been waiting for B&H to get the Canon 400/2.8L IS lens in for over a month. So, I decided to start looking elsewhere. I found the lens on Canoga's website. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first because their price was over $300 below Canon's retail price.  
 
I emailed the folks at Canoga and asked if the lens they show in stock was actually in stock and they replied within an hour saying it was in stock. I emailed them back and asked if they could possibly hold the lens for me until the following day. They emailed me back and said they would be more than happy to hold it for me.  
 
Here's the most important part of this review. Canon raised the price of this lens a few months ago from 6500 to 6800. I spoke with Chris the following day to confirm this was a USA warranty rather than an import warranty. He confirmed it was the USA warranty. Get this...he said this was the last lens they bought at the lower price before Canon raised their prices. So, instead of raising the price of something already in inventory Canoga chose to keep the price of this lens inline with what it sold for before Canon raised the price. That has to be the most ethical thing I've ever heard of a company doing. Very impressive!  
 
Chris, Canoga, you have a new loyal customer!  
 
TC in GA  
ps I ordered the lens through their website on Friday August 29th. I used 3day UPS. Remember this was a holiday weekend. The lens arrived today (Tuesday Sept 2nd). WOW!

This review was modified by its author, jtc11, on 9/14/08 4:25 PM.

Short story: they send me a demo item BUT they shipped it on time and good packaging.  
 
Full story:  
 
The Good Part:  
I ordered a manfrotto ballhead 488rc2 from canogacamera on monday at 10am, and in the afternoon I called them to make sure they shipped it on that day because I'll need it by Friday. They're very helpful and they shipped it at monday night.  
On schedule at Thursday around noon the package arrived, the packaging was great, they put the ballhead box on a big package with foam around it.  
 
The Bad Part:  
After all the excitement, then comes the problem. My ballhead is scratched in many places and looks used. I wonder if they send me a DEMO item?  
If I need a demo item, then why would I buy a NEW item? Is this a deliberate act? Don't they check the item first before sending it a customer?  
Very very disappointed.  
 
Update: the owner, chris is very helpful and apologetic in helping me return the item.  
He gave me full credit for the item, plus the return shipping.

This review was modified by its author, donkhani, on 9/17/08 10:54 PM.

I have to say that this is the 2nd time Chris ( Store Owner ) has been rude to me as a customer who had bought several items from them and this is also the 2nd time I have the exact same experience with them. He had apologized to me on our first bad case. I don’t think he will ever apologize this time.  
 
I simply wanted to get my order tracking number because I wanted to ask UPS if they can re-attempt the delivery at the same day or if I can pick it up, for some reason, the delivery guy didn’t give the correct UPS InfoNotice at my front door so I can’t trace the package at all – Btw, Canoga website didn’t provide anything about the tracking number, their website only showed the shipment progress and it was not updating as fast as UPS website. I spoke to Chris, when I asked him about the tracking number, Chris came up with millions of reasons and Chris never stopped talking ( I asked politely to him if he could stop talking for a second, and let me talk so then I could explain what I want to do with the tracking number, but he didn’t give any chance at all for me to talk. I asked more than twice, he still didn’t want to let me talk and he seemed to be raising his voice. I decided to hung up and call them again and ask for Kathryn ), rude as if I have no experience with lens, tracking number ( which he was not willing to give it to me, I spoke to Kathryn right after I spoke to Chris, within 10 seconds, she was able to give the tracking number ).  
 
I mean how hard it is to just send me a simple plain email about the tracking number or call me directly to my cell phone number? Don’t tell me that it is for security reasons, technical difficulties or whatsoever, it is my personal email and cell phone number that I used for my order. The bad part was not just Chris’ rude attitude, when I opened the packaging; I found out that they sent me a used-demo item, a very used item with lots of scratches here and there, I don’t think the condition of the item was like “that” from the manufacturer. My head was about to blow when I saw it is a used item. I have done everything I could to get the item on that day ( I did manage to get it on that day ), but it turned out to be a major disappointment. I called them immediately for arranging a return or exchange, not sure if I want to exchange it as it has happened to me twice, I’m just no longer willing to put my trust on them. I spoke to Jamie; he’s very helpful and willing to do what’s necessary to fix it. He’s also very apologetic and polite. They did manage to give my money back, but that’s not what I expected, if they wanted to satisfy a customer, they should have treated them as one and shipped the “correct item” on the first place. Let me tell you, I bought several items from Canoga Camera because a big camera dealer at NYC ( where I bought most of my camera gears ) did not have the items in stock and Kathryn ( store manager I believe ) seemed to be a very nice person when I visited their store during my West Coast road trip last year.  
 
Read these comments from mysterywhiteboy and donkhani : http://www.resellerratings.com/seller_info.pl?seller_id=1322&comment=396730#comment396730  
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller_info.pl?seller_id=1322&comment=403397#comment403397  
 
My experience is very similar to them ( I’m not the only one who has experienced this kind of treatment ) except I was willing to talk to them and replying their email if necessary.  
 
Oh and, before that, I bought a Gitzo tripod from them, I simply asked them what the tracking number is, Chris replied that they did not provide tracking number at that time which I understood, and within 30-40 minutes later, Kathryn replied with the tracking number. Huh?? Weird as if Chris simply did not want to give it out which is a very similar experience to my comments above.  
 
So, so far, I have 2 bad experiences ( not a coincidence as it had happened twice, same case, same attitude ) & 1 so-so experience out of 4 experiences. I will never buy anything from them again.  
 
If you ever want to do business with them, don’t ever bother speaking with Chris when you call them for any reasons, ask for Kathryn or their other employees ( Jamie ), she is the only reason why I still have respect with Canoga. She has been treating me well – explaining about the shipment info, with a very nice attitude, and honesty. In contrast, Chris has no respect to me and not willing to give any help at all. I’m not asking anything from writing these comments, I could have written everything I have experienced with them, comments above are a short version of the entire saga; I wrote this hoping they could improve their customer service, start shipping the “Correct Items” and start giving respect to customers like me.  
 
Edit :  
**When you called us...**  
See, this is a true example of how you ignoring my comments above, you clearly did not read it. I called for the tracking number because I NEED it.  
 
** When you called us back a few minutes later, I directed **  
That's not the case, I called Canoga immediately and asked to speak with Kathryn directly after I hung up with you and she was able to give out the tracking number as usual.  
 
**I certainly did not intend to be rude when you called and I apologize for not handling your call in a manner**  
Well, why didn't you give me a chance to talk and explain why I wanted the tracking number? You kept talking, ignoring me as if I didn't want to give an explanation, and you even seemed to be raising your voice so then my voice won't be heard. I mean, that was plain rude.  
 
I was very very dissatisfied and still very dissatisfied, I didn't give the worst rating because of Kathryn's nice attitude and services.  
Who wouldn't be pissed if same case, same attitude happened twice.  
Considering all the efforts that I have done to get it on that day, "used" item when I opened it and your "bad" attitude. I think you deserve the rating. I'm sorry.

This review was modified by its author, woot, on 9/24/08 2:51 PM.

I was worried about ordering from Canoga Cameras. We always ordered from B & H Photo in the past. I contacted B & H to try to get them to match Canoga's lower price on the Sigma AF 24-70 mm Lens. They refused. I got on here and read the reviews from other customers and ordered the lens last week. We just received it. The box was new and in perfect condition. We are now Canoga Camera customers!!

After having problems with shipping from the New York City "big guys," I decided to order from Canoga. For example, I once ordered a $1100 lens from one of them, and it arrived in a large box with one crumpled sheet of paper in it, so the lens box was rattling all over the place...fortunately, it arrived undamaged. From Canoga, every thing I order is ALWAYS packed with at least 2" of padding material on all 6 sides, so the ordered items are held in place and cannot move. This is just one example of the outstanding service I receive from Canoga. Since my first order from them arrived, Canoga has been my camera dealer of choice. They're not always the least expensive, but I truly believe that we get what we pay for, and to me, at least, Canoga is definitely "the very best." (Sometimes, they ARE the least expensive, as well.) Thanks, Canoga!

I ordered a Gitzo GT2530 tripod. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. The only worry I really had was, "are they going to tell me they ran out and I will have to upgrade if I want a similar tripod?" That was not the case. They did exactly what they said they would do. I received the tripod within 4 days by UPS ground and it was in a new box just as though I had picked it up at the store. I am impressed with the quality of the tripod which is due to the manufacturer. I am also impressed that a company - especially an online store - simply does what it says it will do.

I searched for the best price on a Tamron 18-250mm lens for my D40 and found the usual ripoff sites selling it at a highly discounted price. When I saw Canoga Camera had it for $50 less than the going street price (even after paying sales tax), I checked their ratings here and decided to take a chance.  
 
I was amazed -- these guys are awesome. After ordering online, I decided I wanted to remove an additional lens filter I placed on my order, so I called their 800 number to see if it was too late. I was transferred to a nice guy who said it was no problem because the order was not sent out yet, and quickly changed my order to exactly what I wanted - just the lens. The next day, a box showed up on my doorstep with my lens! Is this better than Newegg or what? How can I not shop here again?  
 
Note: I received the USA warranty version packed in a lots of packing in an outer box, so it arrived in perfect condition. No gray market, no BS about out of stock, no up-selling. I used the standard 1-5 day UPS delivery, but I live close to the store, so it arrived 1 day. I paid less than I would from the other top rated resellers, but I wouldn't mind paying more for this kind of service. Definitely buy from Canoga Camera.  

Ordered a Canon xti and 100-400 lense. Price was right and service was great. I would recommend this store to a friend.

This review was modified by its author, morganrh, on 6/7/08 3:01 PM.

This is a fantastic store with great people.  
 
I purchased a Gitzo GT 2530 tripod. They had the best price and an additional 10% discount plus the rebate everyone else was offering.  
 
I made a mistake entering the order and it was placed without adding the 10% discount.  
 
When I realized I made the mistake I called to see if I could fix it. No waiting, I was put through to a super nice person named Ghada who fixed the problem in less than a minute.  
 
I got the discount and they still shipped the same day.  
 
A great experience !!! Excellent prices, great people and same day shipping. I will definitely purchase from Canoga Camera again !!

Great deal, and great correspondence, ordered Canon 5D with 24-105L lens, and B&W poloraizer filter. Not only was the cost 600 dollars less (when you figure in sales tax) then the best deal I could find locally, shipped same day order and received promptly via UPS.  
 
Chris, called to confirm order and no pressure to upsale on anything. All of my future orders will go to to Canoga Camera.

Ordered two items, then realized I wanted another item. They combined my order with no problems. Items arrived when promised. I'd have no issues ordering from Canoga again.

This is a positive story, so please be patient and read it all. I created my account here just to share this story.  
 
I placed an order on a $1625 lens with $25 shipping. The lens was out of stock in many other stores at the time I ordered. Two days later, I found J&R and Amazon had this lens at $1600 in stock with free shipping. I called Canoga and asked for a price match of $45. The first store clerk was friendly and told me he would transfer my phone to the person in charge, but no one answered me. I called the store again, now a person named Jamie answered me. He said he could not do price match because it was not their store's policy. He also said he had the authority to turn down my request. I asked him to transfer me to the manager. He did, but no one answered me. I called the store the third time and told Jamie that I wanted to talk with the manager. He transferred me to an elder man who said he was the manager. He talked to me about the business and blah blah. The point was that he could not do the price match. I was a little dissopointed and hanged up after 20-minutues conversation. Five minutes later, a call from Canoga came, a young man told me that he could do the price match for me this time. I asked what was his name and whether he was the manager. His name is Chris and he is the manager. Later, I went to the Canoga Camera website again and found out that Chris was the manager of Canoga. A few days later, I received my lens and loved it very much.  
 
Now the point of this story is: if you have some problem wiht your order and if it seems difficult to be solved, call the store and ask for manager Chris. You have a better chance to have the problem solved.

Best prices, best service and fastest delivery I've ever experienced with on-line sellers. Three cheers for Canoga Camera and their staff. I've purchased from them before and I will buy from them again. I received a personal call from Chris about two hours after placing the order online to let me know the new Nikon D80, Nikon 18-200 AF VR Lens and Nikon SB-800 Flash I ordered were being packed for shipment and would be picked up by UPS that very day. I received the well packaged box just as promised on schedule. Their competitors can take a lesson from these folks, and I personally will be spreading the word (again). Many thanks to these folks.

Very prompt and professional service. The Rebel XTi that I ordered for my daughter arrived in 4 days as promised. These folks know how to run a business and are extremely knowledgable about camera equipment. I was very impressed with the service, follow-up, and value. Highly recommend Canoga for any photographic equipment. They have made a customer for life and I will be passing their name along to family and friends.

Excellent! Awesome! Outstanding! personal service and competitive price.  
 
I was purchasing my first DSLR camera, did some good research and decided on the Canon EOS 30D. I was about to make a purchase from B&H, then when I called them they were not sure If they could ship it the same day. I was disappointed and I was talking to my friend he suggested me to check with Canoga and call them.  
Well I did, I was pleased by the customer support.  
I called them at 4pm and they promised to ship it same day.. wow.. i was amazed.  
 
Got everything on the third day as promised. I am pleased and happy that I found an excellent camera store..  
Next in the Wish list are the Canon L Lens :) all my Camera business is only with Canoga from today!  
 
Good Job CANOGA!  
cheers