The first version of this page went online in 1998 as a way to sell professional photo equipment owned by some friends and myself. Well, that worked so well that everything was sold so I took the page down. Years later there were still links on the web to this url and my logs showed many attempts to load it so I decided to put something here so you don't just get a 404 when you come here (I hate it when that happens).
I've been a professional photographer over 20 years. That doesn't necessarily make me an expert on who is honest and who isn't but I have formed some opinions. The following are companies that I have found to be trustworthy.
B&H and Calumet are probably the most trusted retailers by US professional photographer. Both have excellent customer service and sales people that really know professional photo gear and they offer used as well as new products. B&H provides the option of making grey market purchases at lower prices, but full disclosure is provided. If you want to order by phone be aware that B&H observes Jewish sabbath and holidays.
Usually my first choice, mainly because I've dealt with them the longest. They have some items B&H doesn't and vice versa.
I don't think they have an online store but if you will be visiting Houston, Texas this store is a great source for quality used photography equipment, which is their specialty. In fact, I don't think they sell any new cameras. Their address is 801 Durham, Houston, Texas 77007.
I haven't used their online system but have been a walk-in customer since the 1970's. Good selection of professional gear, new and used. It's a short walk from Moscone Convention Center so if you attend MacWorld or another SF convention it makes a nice break.
A Leica specialist, but they also have Nikon "S" series rangefinders.
Of the many equipment review sites, these are the ones I've found useful to bookmark.
Not strictly a review site, but the reviews it does have are well written. The many excellent articles make this a worthwhile bookmark.
A comprehensive comparison of the performance of compact flash cards in professional digital cameras.
Comprehensive reviews and evaluations of the latest digital cameras. The best site of this type.
Another excellent camera review site. I don't like their design as much as dpreview but their reviews are well written.
The following sites have useful information if you're intersted in becoming an editorial/corporate/stock photographer (as opposed to a wedding/portrait photographer).
The preeminent organization for media photographers with chapters across the USA. Promotes photographer business practices and education.
Every photographer interested in working with magazines should bookmark this site. Started and maintained by working editorial photographers with active discussion boards on the workings of the business.
Creative Eye is an artists cooperative for photographers interested in producing stock photography. Mira is the stock agency of the Creative Eye Cooperative.
Dan Heller is a photographer selling prints through his website. But he also has written several articles about becoming a photographer (a book, too) that are informative for a novice. His views and experience are an interesting contrast to the information at ASMP and EP.
Shoot Smarter is a website run by Will Crockett, a tireless speaker at seminars throughout the USA. There are many excellent articles on photography techniques and equipment by Will and other contributing photographers. Their focus is more towards the portrait and wedding photographer but a good idea is a good idea.