pcandplasma they want $1799 and Royal Camera 1899.00

Not po pooing your selection but why not go with the HC1 HDV cam and then down convert to MiniDV from it? Same costs and you have HDV when you are ready to make the switch.

I called royal camera about the canon xl-2 they have listed for an extremely low price. I asked them if it came with the lens as the site makes it look as if it does as it lists specs for the 20x lens and show the pictures with it included. When the representative said that it didn't come with the lens, I told him that it would be a good idea to post that on their listing. His response was, "you think so?" in a smartelic tone. I said yes I do think so and his reply was that " you should be on our advertising panel" and he hung up. Needless to say, I will never buy from them.

Thanks pmasters but that one won't help me in the wedding business. Although it's a nice camera.

Thanks but I won't be buying from them either, I guess I have to bite the bullet and pay b&h photo 2400 dollars. At least I won't have no risky business.

Thanks again guys.

MAC

...I guess I have to bite the bullet...

You'll be much happier that you did.
I suggest you use ResellerRatings for any place you're not familiar with - or if the price sounds too good to be true :-).

PC & Plasma
Lifetime Rating: 0.91

Royal Camera
Lifetime Rating: 1.92

Mike

Buy it from Good Guys! Talk them down to a lower price than their current one of $2,500 (last I checked)! Just tell them you are a serious customer, and they will ask the manager for a deal! If you buy their warranty, they will be even more willing to reduce it, but even without it, you should get it for at least $100-200 less, and as low as $2,000 if you by it with their 5-year warranty.
And if they're acting tough, try walking away! They will try to reason with you down to a (bit) lower price ;-)

I have a goodguys here in chino, california. They're listed at 2900 hundred. I don't know where you seen it for 2500.00

Just for the heck of it, I opened a web page on www.resellerratings.com and also one on tgstores, the shopping comparison site sponsored by www.tomshardware.com. Some of the ultra-low discounters are pond scum according to resellerratings, but one really shines--www.dbuys.com.

They are selling the VX-2100 for $2,199 with free shipping.

cervama says "I have a goodguys here in chino, california. They're listed at 2900 hundred. I don't know where you seen it for 2500.00"

The $2,499 is in Sacramento area.

I'll second dbuys.com. I've purchased from them a few times without problems. You may consider looking for a used VX2000/2100 which can be had for about half of the new price now that HDV has pushed used DV prices down.

If you're set on the 2100, I would also agree with looking for a gently used one that you can have checked out, and be sure to check how many hours it has been used.

My first good cam, I bought a vx2000 from gazma.com - a sorta-shady online dealer, got what I ordered for a great price but also bought a set of useless overpriced filters. The whole deal left a very bad taste in my mouth, though I didn't really lose any money - just time and sleep. My next cam was a 2100, bought it from B&H with no worries whatsoever. And only about a hundred dollars difference, but it was well worth the time and heartache saved.

<edit> Have never used dbuys, but if it's recommended by regular users here it's bound to be good.

Fry's Electronics have them for a reasonable price. http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3934808?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Their online store is outpost.com, but I'm sure you should have a store near you.

Thanks everyone for their responses. I will buy from b&h.

MAC

This question (about a cheap place to buy equipment) comes up so often that I store a link to this page, just to show you what you're dealing with:

Photographs of New York Mail Order Storefronts

Click on it and take a look at what sort of places most of these stores are.

Wait a minute ... ah, yes, here's a link to a picture of the Royal Camera storefront:

Royal Camera Storefront

Oh yeah, I'd definitely want to buy from them ...

Not.

I hadn't realized that www.resellerratings.com also had a "product finder" feature. That almost makes it too easy--type in the product, and buy from the cheapest source that also has a good rating. Piece Of Cake.

Not to bust any bubbles .. but the VX2100 is a consumer grade camera... The PD170 is the prosumer grade. The VX2100 is repaired in Larado, TX., along with the other $300 Walmart variety camcorders. The Prosumer and professional grades are repaired in NJ.