Topic: Looking for camera geek opinions..... (Read 676 times)

skyphix · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2011, 11:51:42 AM »

Quote from: deadlydave on November 30, 2011, 11:48:27 AM

You disagree with what I mindlessly parroted, aint no thang.

The cannon vs nikon thing is like apple vs pc, I suppose. There are no winners, and everyone that argues about it is a loser.

Except that, in reality, both cameras are basically created equal. That is not true in the OS wars. And I like neither Mac nor Windows (I'll take either Mac or PC hardware, though they're largely similar anymore).

The reason I shoot Canon over Nikon is because I find Nikon cameras uncomfortable to hold. It has absolutely nothing to do with the nearly identical feature and functionality sets of each respective manufacturer.

Kavik · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2011, 11:54:39 AM »

^pc

well, good news and bad news.
Good: Amazon.com has the same price as Abe's of Maine, and is still an authorized dealer so I can get triple reward points on my amazon card and still qualify for the rebate

Bad: some time between yesterday and today, the D5100 body went on backorder at BestBuy

skyphix · « **Reply #27 on:** November 30, 2011, 11:56:42 AM »

Also, Amazon is far more reputable than Abes of Maine, which has a VERY shaky record.

Kavik · « **Reply #28 on:** November 30, 2011, 12:11:52 PM »

I hadn't researched them as a company yet, was just going on the suggestion I got here.....though, I really wasn't comfortable with the response I got when I asked the online support about price matching

Quote

Daryl: Hi Kaitlin, I was wondering if you could tell me, do you guys price match against other online retailers?

Kaitlin: I'd love to help you with that, but we don't price match. We offer the item at a low price to begin with including free or very low cost shipping. At this time thats the best price I have. Just be aware that not all online companies stock the product and deliver. I hope you give us a try, we have an excellent reputation. I really would like you to be a happy customer with us.

Daryl: Sorry to hear that, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. Thanks, have a great day

Kaitlin: We generally don't do that, but I recommend you try our sales line at (800) 992-2237 and see if we can do something. It really depends on the product, and if its an established reputable merchant. Many online sites promise low prices to lure you in and don't deliver. We do offer free shipping on most items and no tax out of the state of NJ, plus your buying from a merchant around for over 30 years. It's worth giving us a try. I'm sure we can make you a loyal customer.

yeah.....I really don't like it when a company feels they have to talk down about their competitors in order to make themselves look better, especially in their copy & paste scripts that should be a little more well thought out

skyphix · « **Reply #29 on:** November 30, 2011, 12:13:46 PM »

I usually order my stuff from B&H PHoto Video because their service is the most amazing I have ever experienced and the in-store experience is even better.

Though now that I'm Amazon prime there isn't much I don't order from there because next-day-before-11a costs 3.99 no matter how large the item is.

darroj · « **Reply #30 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:06:02 PM »

The picture I put up was the barrel of a canon at the gettysburg museum

I've had good experiences with abesofmaine and their prices are usually a little lower (but not much) and you can avoid tax for most states. I've spent north of $1000 there and wouldn't hesitate based on my experiences. In regards to the customer service response you got, there are TONS of shady, non-authorized dealers selling gray market lenses. I'm assuming those are the competitors they are talking down about, not reputable places like amazon.com. You could check newegg.com too as they're very reputable, have good prices, and an authorized dealer.

hookedontronics · « **Reply #31 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:41:19 PM »

Quote from: Kavik on November 30, 2011, 12:11:52 PM

yeah.....I really don't like it when a company feels they have to talk down about their competitors in order to make themselves look better, especially in their copy & paste scripts that should be a little more well thought out

I don't really see them talking down, what she said sounds like common knowledge to me

Kavik · « **Reply #32 on:** November 30, 2011, 02:09:32 PM »

eh, I just find it in poor taste. True, all those things are common knowledge, but pointing out another vendors flaws to justify your prices/policies/whatever just strikes me as childish and unprofessional. All they had to say was "I'm sorry, but we don't offer price matching" and I would've been satisfied with that answer

Either way, not like it was enough to turn me off of them completely, just a minor annoyance

hookedontronics · « **Reply #33 on:** November 30, 2011, 02:45:37 PM »

Have you thought of picking up a used camera? Great way to save some major coin. I saw you mention 0% financing, you could buy used through ebay with bill me later and get 6 months at 0% interest, plus save $15 if it's your first ebay purchase with bill me later. Just a though, i saved about 500 when i bought my canon used and it was still mint condition with everything

Kavik · « **Reply #34 on:** November 30, 2011, 03:02:40 PM »

Yeah, I've thought about used...but the ones I looked at were only like $100 less than a new one. Admittedly, I didn't search too hard, but the camera new is only $700, so that doesn't leave a ton of wiggle room, and for a difference of $100-200 I'd rather have new with warantee

For the financing, I'm not looking to open up another credit line, I wouldn't even do this if it involved upping a credit limit, but I've got like $1,700 available on my current credit line there now, so it wouldn't make much of a difference to anything in the long run

p.s.
that will probably the route I'll take if I do go for more lenses down the road though

spoolordie · « **Reply #35 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:38:06 PM »

Hows the Nikon 3100 im thinking of picking that up with the 18-55 lense

Kavik · « **Reply #36 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:19:32 PM »

based on specs alone, since I've never used it, but:
It depends on what you compare it to. It's not in league with the D5100 or D7000, but standing on it's own it's a decent mid-range camera from what I've heard/read...and a lot cheaper

And I'm jealous that the 3100 comes in red, but all the other models only come in black

here's a fun site to compare different models: http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D5100-vs-Nikon_D3100

how soon would you be looking to buy if you do get it? The D5100 body only is on back order right now, but I'd be happy to buy the kit and sell you the lens if you could find the D3100 body only cheaper? For the 5100 it's a $150 price difference between body only and the kit with that lens, I'd let you have it for $125 if you were looking to do it before this comes off back order status

Kavik · « **Reply #37 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:33:34 PM »

actually, I just looked a little closer at prices on the 3100......that probably wouldn't make sense for you to do it that way since you can get the camera and lens for like $600 and not many places seem to carry the body only on that one. oh well

deadlydave · « **Reply #38 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:51:53 PM »

Quote from: skyphix on November 30, 2011, 11:51:42 AM

The reason I shoot Canon over Nikon is because I find Nikon cameras uncomfortable to hold. It has absolutely nothing to do with the nearly identical feature and functionality sets of each respective manufacturer.

Nikon works will with my guido sausage fingers. Good point.

darroj · « **Reply #39 on:** December 04, 2011, 01:29:10 PM »

Well I finally took a few macro shots since it was something I was working on... I replaced a set of broken laptop hinges. Took some pics to send to lenovo to show them my displeasure and hopefully try to get reimbursed for the parts. (but probably not...)

These were quickly taken on a Canon t1i with the sigma 18-250.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108940391358128594224/LenovoBrokenHinges

Kavik · « **Reply #40 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:58:02 PM »

damned laptop hinges

I've had one of those go, it's a pain in the ass, and replacements were retardedly expensive and hard to find on the older laptop I had
Doesn't Lenovo make the tough books now? That doesn't bode well

but anyway, yeah, those kinds of closeups could hold me over for a while. Found out my dad has a specific macro lens and a flash ring that would also fit this camera, if I need anything closer in the mean time

darroj · « **Reply #41 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:46:53 PM »

yeah it was a pain, took about 1.5 hours to get replace it, but as you can probably guess, with two broken hinges, the screen just flopped.. I basically shot those on auto/lazy but it gives you some idea. The tamron will likely be similar.

deadlydave · « **Reply #42 on:** December 05, 2011, 11:04:48 AM »

Quote from: Kavik on December 04, 2011, 02:58:02 PM

Doesn't Lenovo make the tough books now? That doesn't bode well

Panasonic owns that brand, they may be making tough-book-like laptops.

I have a toughbook, it's awesome, if a little lethargic. And, doubles as a shield!

Kavik · « **Reply #43 on:** December 08, 2011, 11:05:00 PM »

Sweet, just won that Tamron 18-270mm lens on eBay for $530 shipped new, minus the $100 mail in rebate I'll be getting the $600+ lens for $430 new
(through eBay, but from an authorized Tamron dealer, so the rebate will be honored)

and the Nikon D5100 is on order, should arrive next week

(along with the Nikkor 18-55mm lens because the 'body only' was back ordered and this package was on sale, so the lens only costs $50, plus a kick ass bag, a class 10 8gig card to start with, and I even took the advice of spending more on a tripod and got one that seems nice for about $160)

thanks for all the advice guys. spent a fair amount more than I was planning to, but I never would've considered the annoyance of having the two lenses from the original kit, and probably would've bought some cheap tripod that would've dropped my camera on the first use

darroj · « **Reply #44 on:** December 09, 2011, 08:05:18 AM »

sweet! that's a nice price on the lens. Hopefully you enjoy it! Just an FYI, I sold my wife's kit lens for $88 on ebay... Just a friendly reminder too, make sure you get a UV filter for the tamron lens!

Kavik · « **Reply #45 on:** December 09, 2011, 02:47:55 PM »

yeah...I almost got it for $411, but some asshole came and bid it up ~$100 in the last 15 minutes, even though I saw the same user bidding on 2 other auctions for the same lens, this one was just the one ending the soonest

I'm going to compare the lenses for closeup stuff, but already been checking the going rate for these used on eBay

Going to start looking into different filters for sure, but that's one more thing to research next

Author Topic: Looking for camera geek opinions..... (Read 676 times)