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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon D80 + Free shipping - which store?
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 01/08/2007 06:23:11 AM · #1
After almost 2 years of saving, then blowing up and then savgin again... I have finally got enough to purchase on of them dSLRs.
My heart was set on D200 and the 18-70... but a friend was in dire straits and I had to let go of some of my camera fund.

So I am down to a Nikon D-80 cos I just cant wait anymore... or else I will end up spending what I have finally got together. I am not too convinced with the 18-135 as a good kit lens and there are no kits with the 18-70. I was thinking of going with the 50/1.8 as a starter too... but I would like some flexibility to start with.
There is a kit of the 28-105 at Adorama for $1170 but then I dont know much about that lens. Any ideas? What other starter lens would you suggest.... keep in mind I will not be purchasing another for the next year or so... (except the 50mm).

Other things to get with the camera (I have thought of) - 2GB card (what is the min. speed I should be looking at?), wireless remote (for them lovely long exposures), Lowepro bag.

I have shorlisted these two places as of yet (1 hour of research)..

Adorama - $925 (body only) - Free shipping
B&H Photo - $925 (body only) + $15 shipping

Any other stores you have dealt with and suggest?

My plan is to place the order on 13 January, 2007 so it makes it to my friend's address in Chicago on or before 22 january, 2007 as leaves on 25 Jan from there for India.

Any suggestions to any of the above mentioned aspects will be very helpful. I cant hardly wait to finally join you guys in these challenges (after waiting for 2 whole years)....:-)

Thanks a bunch in advance.
01/08/2007 07:27:09 AM · #2
I can tell you that I just got the D80 with the 18-135 kit lens and all my accessories from B&H. (Remote, extra battery, memory card, tripod, and filter kit) I got my Lowepro Slingshot 200 bag from an Ebay seller for $67 with free shipping. The Ebay seller was Sobefoto, and they were very pleasant to deal with. I checked real quick and they don't have any selling right now. They do have other bags though.

I have little experience with lenses, but since the 18-200 lens was out of the question I went with the 18-135. So far I like my 18-135 lens. After all my research my plan is to get the Nikon 70-300 VR lens next followed by a Sigma 105mm.

As for cards, I got a Sandisk 2GB Ultra II card and am so far pleased with it. I read somewhere in a thread that the D80 can't even utilize the Extreme's speed? I don't know how true that is. I haven't looked into all that yet, but before I get my next card I would.

The only thing I know for sure to avoid is Ritzcamera.com and all their connected sites. They have absolutely horrible ratings everywhere and there's constantly people complaining about their poor customer service and delivery times.

One thing I wish someone had told me before I got my camera was to download the manual and read it BEFORE the camera gets to you. I just spent 3 days reading my manual while my camera sat on my desk for the most part unused.

Good luck.. can't go wrong with Adorama or B&H whichever you choose.

=)

Message edited by author 2007-01-08 14:42:36.
 01/08/2007 07:52:55 AM · #3
Thank ye for yer kind reply.

Does help knowing Ritz is not to be dealt with ... cos I was actually considering them :-)

I came across another dealer dbuys.com. I wonder how they are. They seem to be selling it for $908 with no tax and shipping.

Any lens references from you pro's out there? I know its been beaten to death but still :-)

We newbies are like that little itch that keeps coming back :-)
 01/09/2007 07:03:07 AM · #4
Wow. Just one reply in 24 hours.

Looks like I am the only happy birdie diving for worms :-)

Any suggestions on the lens fellas? What starter lens would be good to kick off with?
 01/09/2007 09:47:34 AM · #5
The Nikkor 28-105 is a great lens. It is sharp, has a nine blade diaphragm that makes for more pleasing bokeh, and unusually for a zoom it has a macro mode that provides 1:2 (that is as much magnification as the 55 f2.8 micro albeit not quite as flat field). The down side is if that is your only lens, then there will be no wide angles in your near future with its 42-157.5mm 35mm equivalent coverage. Of course it would give you more range than the 50 1.8. Does it need to be in kit form? Cause the 18-70 along with the D80 body is roughly $1220 at B&H.

Also as far as the store is concerned I've had nothing but good luck in my 15 or so years dealing with B&H.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 11:07:17.
 01/09/2007 10:01:54 AM · #6
Originally posted by saurabhv:
Wow. Just one reply in 24 hours.

Looks like I am the only happy birdie diving for worms :-)

Any suggestions on the lens fellas? What starter lens would be good to kick off with?


It's still quite early stateside...give us a bit. :)

As a Canon user, I can't really comment on the lens choice but here's some resources to help in your decisions...

resellerratings.com - check the ratings of the stores you're thinking of doing business with (dbuys.com, for instance, doesn't look all that hot).

Rob Galbraith CF Database - rates and ranks the speeds of CF cards by camera

Fred Miranda lens reviews - excellent database of user reviews

I will say that I've never been anything but exceptionally happy with my service from B&H. I've only used Adorama once (though Amazon, actually) and my service was fine but I am a loyal B&H customer. Someone from their customer service department even checks in here every so often to respond to posts in our forums...pretty cool. :)

01/09/2007 10:08:59 AM · #7
From all the tests I've read about the 18-135mm, its a very good lens. I haven't had the chance to play with one yet but from what I've heard its great. I have the 18-70mm. Love this lens, a little slow but tack sharp. My only problem with it is it is some what limiting when you need or want the extra range. Be sure that you don't get a CF card as the D80 only takes SD cards, they are cheaper but the quality is still there. Good luck and enjoy the camera when you get it.

Chris
 01/09/2007 10:25:30 AM · #8
Thom Hogan has a review of the 18-135 here. In a nutshell his negatives were higher than average chromatic aberrations , distortion (both common in high x zooms) and the slow tele end (5.6 by 70mm), but had high praise for that sharpness and value for the money.
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