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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> 18-70 - for sale?
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 01/09/2007 08:49:22 AM · #1
So after not getting much help in my last thread ... I did a little more asking around and finally reach the conclusion that the Nikkor 18-70 is indeed better than the Nikkor 18-135.

Now the deal is to purchase one. I thought of asking you guys if anyone is parting with his/her kit lens for any reason. Also how much should a second hand one fetch for?
 01/09/2007 08:57:27 AM · #2
You need to post in the Buy/Sell forum for more response.
Ask SC to transfer this thread to that forum by going to help > Contact US > DPChallenge - General Inquiry.

Hope this helps

01/09/2007 09:00:22 AM · #3
Originally posted by Southern Gentleman:
You need to post in the Buy/Sell forum for more response.
Ask SC to transfer this thread to that forum by going to help > Contact US > DPChallenge - General Inquiry.

Hope this helps


Isnt the Buy/Sell a members only area? SO then that would mean he would have to pony up a membership to do so.

MattO
 01/09/2007 09:01:33 AM · #4
Go browse the buy/sell section on fredmiranda.com
 01/09/2007 09:03:59 AM · #5
Originally posted by saurabhv:
Now the deal is to purchase one. I thought of asking you guys if anyone is parting with his/her kit lens for any reason. Also how much should a second hand one fetch for?

Cameta Camera on eBay sometimes sells factory demo versions of the 18-70 for around US$200, with one year warranty; they don't have them all the time, though. They are a good store.
 01/09/2007 09:04:11 AM · #6
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by Southern Gentleman:
You need to post in the Buy/Sell forum for more response.
Ask SC to transfer this thread to that forum by going to help > Contact US > DPChallenge - General Inquiry.

Hope this helps


Isnt the Buy/Sell a members only area? SO then that would mean he would have to pony up a membership to do so.

MattO

You are right! I did not know that.
Thanks
 01/10/2007 06:58:01 AM · #7
Thank you so much folks.
This did put me in a new direction.

So I have a couple of more queries ...

Since I have never shopped online before and I guess most of you do 40-50% of your shopping online. I wanted to get a clearer picture.

I have 2-3 options

1) There is a 18-70 at KEH.com for $265. I dont know how good this site is? Any ideas?

2) There are two at Adorama buy/sell space which are rated E+ and E-.
E+ = Very clean ($259)
E- = Shows normal wear, might have minor scratches, glass clean. ($229)

Is it a good idea to pick up any of these?

3) In addition to this they have a 'Refurbished by Nikon' piece with accessories (which I like very much thank you) .. for $229. What does 'refurbished' mean other than the dictionary meaning? I mean compared to a second hand piece where would you grade it?

Lastly... which would you pick up from the above 3 options.... or any other if you have in mind?

P.S -
My final decision is to go for a D80 + 18-70 + 50/1.8 + 4GB Ritek Card.
I am hoping to keep it within $1350 tops.

Thanks once again.
 01/10/2007 09:03:11 AM · #8
Originally posted by saurabhv:
Thank you so much folks.
1) There is a 18-70 at KEH.com for $265. I dont know how good this site is? Any ideas?

Keh.com is the best online site for used gear. They are usually very cautious giving ratings to used equipment, and can be trusted.

Originally posted by saurabhv:
2) There are two at Adorama buy/sell space which are rated E+ and E-.

Adorama are not as good as keh.com for buying used stuff, they are often more cavalier rating a lens E. I would buy from keh.com over Adorama.

Originally posted by saurabhv:
3) In addition to this they have a 'Refurbished by Nikon' piece with accessories (which I like very much thank you) .. for $229. What does 'refurbished' mean other than the dictionary meaning? I mean compared to a second hand piece where would you grade it?

I believe Nikon refurbished lenses carry an official Nikon warranty (although a shorter one, 1/2 year I believe, but I don't remember exactly). In any case, this warranty is longer than store warranty that you usually get with a used lens from any store.

Originally posted by saurabhv:
Lastly... which would you pick up from the above 3 options.... or any other if you have in mind?

Personally I would not buy the 18-70mm; but since you sound like you've made up your mind, I think that I'd buy the refurbished version.
01/10/2007 12:04:19 PM · #9
Thank you sir... for those kind words of advice

Quoting you on your last line you say personally you wouldnt buy the 18-70. May I ask why? And also if not then what would you buy? (keeping in mind the budget constraints.

01/10/2007 02:55:34 PM · #10
Originally posted by saurabhv:
Quoting you on your last line you say personally you wouldnt buy the 18-70. May I ask why? And also if not then what would you buy? (keeping in mind the budget constraints.

Well, the choice is very personal, and depends on what your aim is for getting the camera. The 18-70 is a decent lens, but that's where it ends: decent. If you plan to get serious about photography, then soon you may be wishing you had greater control of the depth of field and better low light capabilities and better sharpness wide open.

Keeping your budget in mind, I would compromise on the camera side, not on the lens side. I would buy a D50, which is a fantastic camera and a really great value right now, down about $200 from its original price. This would save you almost $500 (D50 at $450 vs. D80 at $925 at B&H), leaving around $900 to be spent on better lenses. What you want from your lenses is hard for me to know, and it's probably hard for *you* to know if this is going to be your first SLR.

For the $900 I, personally, would buy some combination of Nikkor 35 f/2 ($290) or the 50 f/1.4 ($250), a used Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 (around $350), and something for the wide angle (which is a harder choice), and the SB-800. On the wide angle side I would, probably, get a used Nikkor 20 f/2.8 ($350) or a used Sigma 24 f/2.8 Superwide-II ($60 - $120 depending on your luck, I got a great copy from eBay for $70 shipped).

But this is me, and I am drifting away from zooms towards small, fast primes. When I bought my D50, I made a mistake of getting a superzoom (I got the Tamron 18-200, which is not a bad lens) and the 50/1.8. I've already replaced the 50/1.8 with the 50/1.4 and I'm going to sell the Tamron as well to get the 35/2.
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