The NIKON Thread (Talk About Nikon Stuff here)

[Towert7]

That's great to hear that you've enjoying your new Nikon D40, and that it's finally giving you the tools to take better pictures. Now the pressure will be on you to improve, not the camera. ^_^

[dvessel]

I think you guys will find this interesting. Slow motion shutter release from a D3.

Jeffrey Friedl’s Blog » Blog Archive » Nikon D3 Shutter Release in Super Slow Motion

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by Poohblah

i doubt that. you can find a D80 at any halfway decent camera shop (not best buy etc.).

I live in Flagstaff, AZ. Population ~35,000. We have a single camera store. That Ritz camera store, in the mall, doesn't have any D80s

Thanks for suggesting B&H Towert. They look pretty similar to Adorama in regards to price.

OK, I didn't order anything yet, but I'm going to here shortly. I'm torn between the 18-135 kit lens or getting a 18-55 VR and a 55-200 VR. Getting the 2 VR lenses will cost ~$100 more. That seems like the better deal to me. This would give me longer range and VR. My only concern is that I think they are DX lenses. This means they won't work if I ever upgrade to a FX camera, right?

I'm looking at this "package":
Camera and 1 lens
9483 Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera with 18 - 55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) Zoom-Nikkor Lens, USA Warranty
The other lens
2166 Nikon 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Zoom Lens with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty
And a couple memory cards
SDSDB2048A11 SanDisk 2 GB Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card.

Those 4 items (2 SD cards) come in at $1115.80. Seems like a pretty good deal since the D80 with the (non VR) 18-135 lens is $999 ($1099 if I could fins one local). Next day shipping is going to run me about $60-70, but I will have it on Tuesday.

Any reason I should choose B&H over Adorama?
Should I save a little money and just get the kit with the 18-135 (non VR) lens?

[Hayduke]

Maybe I'm not supposed to buy a camera

I called Adorama earlier and kept getting stuck in the queue for a sales rep. I had to hang up twice. I just tried again and now they are closed! Both Adorama and B&H both close early on Fridays and are closed on Saturdays!

I guess I'll just have to call them on Sunday and place the order with 1 day shipping. Maybe I'll see if there is anyplace in Phoenix that has a D80 in stock and drive down. The gas is about the same as next day shipping.

EDITTED:

Since yesterday's trip to Ritz was a bust, but I didn't get the feeling the guy I talked to knew much, I called them back just now. The person I spoke with this time seemed to know how the store worked a little better. He assured me they will have some D80s coming in on Monday. He also said they will be having a sale starting Monday (nice guy huh?!?!). If you are in the market for a D80 this is an incredible deal. I'm getting the D80, the 18-55 VR and the 55-200 VR lenses all for $1084.45 including tax. I don't even have to pay a shipping fee! I'm so excited right now! I get the camera I wanted, a better deal then I was getting on the internet, and I get to shop local (as close as it gets with a chain at least).

You can be sure I'll post again Monday after I get my hot little hands on this camera.

[lan]

That is the one quirk about Adorama and B&H. Call J&R and have them price match either of those two other places then.

I personally don't like going into Adorama or B&H and dealing with them. I find Ritz and J&R more personable.

[Towert7]

Originally Posted by lan

That is the one quirk about Adorama and B&H. Call J&R and have them price match either of those two other places then.

I personally don't like going into Adorama or B&H and dealing with them. I find Ritz and J&R more personable.

I've called up BHphoto once or twice, but I was very impressed by how smart the guy was.

[Towert7]

Hayduke, those VR lenses are very cheap. I couldn't believe how cheap the 55-200VR is. Great deal.

Yea, all the lenses you are looking at are DX (yet another reason for the cheap price). But like I say, this is your first (or 2) starter lens. From there, you can upgrade till your hearts content.

[Hayduke]

I got a new camera!

**does a happy dance**

I got the D80 with the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR. I called Ritz back and asked if they could give me a 90% assurance that they would have a D80 on Monday. My concern was that on Monday they wouldn't have it and it would be too late to get one even with 1 day shipping. He called me back about 30 minutes later and said they got a shipment in and it had 2 D80s. I hopped in the car and now I have a shiny new kit! WOOHOO!!!

I don't know that I got a great sale price or anything. The kit was the D80 and the 18-55 for $799 then I added the 55-200 for $250. That's regular price for the lens, but there was a special where I got the lens, a fairly nice case (regular price $70), and 2 DVDs from Nikon on how to take pictures. So the total was about $100 more then I had planned walking into the store, but I'm happy with the purchase.

I do kind of wish I hadn't got DX lenses, but on the other hand, I couldn't afford to cover that whole range with full size lenses. I'll just only get the full frame ones from here on out.

I'll post pics later. I have a couple hours of light left, so I'm going to go hiking and take some pictures!!!

[Poohblah]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I got a new camera!

**does a happy dance**

I got the D80 with the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR. I called Ritz back and asked if they could give me a 90% assurance that they would have a D80 on Monday. My concern was that on Monday they wouldn't have it and it would be too late to get one even with 1 day shipping. He called me back about 30 minutes later and said they got a shipment in and it had 2 D80s. I hopped in the car and now I have a shiny new kit! WOOHOO!!!

I don't know that I got a great sale price or anything. The kit was the D80 and the 18-55 for $799 then I added the 55-200 for $250. That's regular price for the lens, but there was a special where I got the lens, a fairly nice case (regular price $70), and 2 DVDs from Nikon on how to take pictures. So the total was about $100 more then I had planned walking into the store, but I'm happy with the purchase.

sweet! it's always fun to walk home with new goodies

I do kind of wish I hadn't got DX lenses, but on the other hand, I couldn't afford to cover that whole range with full size lenses. I'll just only get the full frame ones from here on out.

sure you could've. a used nikon 75-300 f/4.5-5.6D is extremely cheap, around $60-80 in fact. a used nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 is only around $300, and throw in a 50mm f/1.8 for $100 and you've got a great range and a good fast aperture lens to boot. on the other hand, you did get brand new, VR lenses.

[dj_mocok]

I want pictures. Gimme pictures!
Actually I want cactus pictures. Gimme cactus pictures now!