B&H Photo Video sells new and used cameras, lenses, audio and video equipment out of its New York store and website, alongside computers and home electronics. It is one of the largest specialist retailers in the category, which means far more inventory and used stock than a typical camera shop carries. A good B&H Photo Video order comes down to understanding how the used gear is graded, when a bundled kit beats buying pieces separately, and which fees apply at checkout.
How B&H Photo Video grades used gear
B&H Photo Video rates used equipment on a condition scale from mint down through excellent, and lower grades still functional but visibly worn. Each listing states the specific grade and a description of any known wear or missing accessories, so read that description rather than judging by the price alone.
Used gear at B&H Photo Video carries its own return window separate from new items, and a lens or body bought used is usually a large saving over new for anyone not chasing the latest generation. Photograph the item and test every function as soon as it arrives so any issue is caught well inside that return window.
Bundles and kit pricing
Camera bodies at B&H Photo Video are frequently sold with accessory bundles: extra batteries, a bag, a memory card and a filter. Compare the bundle price against buying the body alone plus the same accessories individually, since the saving varies a lot by bundle and is sometimes smaller than it looks.
Lens kits sold with a body at B&H Photo Video are worth it if the included lens is one you would buy anyway; skip the kit and buy the body alone if you already own better glass in that mount.
Sales tax and where you live
B&H Photo Video is based in New York and charges sales tax according to the buyer's shipping state, in line with how most large US retailers now handle tax after changes to interstate sales tax rules. Factor the tax into a price comparison against another retailer rather than assuming a New York address is required to avoid it.
Warranty types: USA vs grey market
Some camera bodies at B&H Photo Video are listed with a full USA manufacturer warranty, while others are grey-market imports with a different, often shorter, warranty from a third party. The listing states which one applies; a grey-market unit is usually cheaper but worth less if something goes wrong under warranty.
Trade-ins and price protection
B&H Photo Video runs a trade-in program for used cameras and lenses, which can offset the cost of a new purchase. Get a trade-in quote before buying new gear outright, since the store credit sometimes beats selling the same item privately once the hassle is accounted for.
Check the B&H Photo Video price protection policy if a price drops shortly after you buy, since some categories are eligible for a partial refund of the difference within a set window.
Shipping and insurance on expensive gear
High-value cameras and lenses ship insured by default from B&H Photo Video, and a signature is usually required on delivery for larger orders. Track the shipment and be available to sign for anything above a few hundred dollars rather than leaving it for a building's front desk. Inspect the outer packaging for damage before signing, and note any concerns on the delivery record itself.
Where the B&H Photo Video savings are
The 25% imaging code is the one to try first on B&H Photo Video camera bodies and lenses, though high-demand new releases are often excluded from any percentage code.
The dollar-off video code suits a bigger-ticket B&H Photo Video order, like a camera body or a video production bundle, where a flat $500 beats a small percentage on an already-discounted item.
The free-shipping code matters most on heavy or bulky gear, like lighting kits or tripods, where shipping cost is a real portion of a B&H Photo Video total rather than a rounding error.
Work out the percentage-versus-dollar break-even by dividing the dollar amount by the percentage; below that basket size the percentage code wins, above it the flat amount does.
Common questions
Is used gear from B&H Photo Video reliable?
B&H Photo Video grades used gear by condition and states known issues in the listing, and used items carry their own return window, which makes it a reasonably safe way to buy.
Does B&H Photo Video charge sales tax in every state?
Generally yes, tax is charged based on the shipping address under current interstate tax rules, not just for New York buyers.
What is a grey-market camera at B&H Photo Video?
An import sold outside the manufacturer's official regional distribution, usually cheaper but with a different warranty than a USA-spec unit.
Are B&H Photo Video bundle kits actually cheaper?
Sometimes, but not always by much. Compare the bundle price against buying the pieces separately before assuming it is the better deal.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 25% off | Promo code | View at B&H Photo Video → |
| Up to 50 Dollars off | Promo code | View at B&H Photo Video → |
| $18 off | Promo code | View at B&H Photo Video → |
| $50 off | Promo code | View at B&H Photo Video → |