Looking at buying a new Camera

Squonk · 2011-02-11T11:09:34+00:00

http://www.sacamera.co.za/product/1011698/Nikon_D3X_Body_Only/ Thank goodness GAS is cheap ?

aubs1

RobK wrote ......... or people who have way too much money and haven't heard of guitars yet ?

LOL........ the guys who buys a decent DSLR can basically start making money straight off the bat ...... friends' parties, chicks who aspire to be models, even weddings etc. etc. ........... Guys who buys guitars, struggle for years to learn to play, then get a band going, or become a busker and still starve until you get "discovered" ...... and you're lucky if you do, no matter how good you are ........... ?

Wizard

Aubs1 wrote ... I've two Nikon D200s for a few years now, and my AF lenses are like lightning fast, and ...

Wizard thinks: "So ... Aubs has all the cool guitars AND all the cool camera's AND all the cool lenses and ..."

singemonkey

The 60D. It's the same camera as the 7D just in a slightly cheaper housing which gives you some advantages over the 7D anyway.

Tonedef

When I was still a teen, we rented out a cottage at the back to a young professional photographer. He had had to sell his townhouse to replace equipment that had been destroyed. The story was that he had checked into a hotel in PE, but his room wasnt ready. He had a big hardcase containing all his kit, that he had left in the care of the maitre'd since he had a meeting that he had to rush to. While he was gone the shift changed, but the maitre'd had forgotten to tell his replacement about the case. The new dude, seeing the case, thought it was a bomb and called the cops. They arrived and dutifully took it to a field where they proceeded to blow the LIVING KAK out of it with explosives. Something to the tune of R300k worth of equipment murtu. He hadnt been able to afford insurance on any of it and thus learned the hard way.

guitarboy2828

Tonedef wrote When I was still a teen, we rented out a cottage at the back to a young professional photographer. He had had to sell his townhouse to replace equipment that had been destroyed. The story was that he had checked into a hotel in PE, but his room wasnt ready. He had a big hardcase containing all his kit, that he had left in the care of the maitre'd since he had a meeting that he had to rush to. While he was gone the shift changed, but the maitre'd had forgotten to tell his replacement about the case. The new dude, seeing the case, thought it was a bomb and called the cops. They arrived and dutifully took it to a field where they proceeded to blow the LIVING KAK out of it with explosives. Something to the tune of R300k worth of equipment murtu. He hadnt been able to afford insurance on any of it and thus learned the hard way.

You are kidding me?????? That actually happened? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Tonedef

Yip! Its one of those WTF stories in life.

infernox

singemonkey wrote The 60D. It's the same camera as the 7D just in a slightly cheaper housing which gives you some advantages over the 7D anyway.

60D is great but you can just as well go for the newly re-released 600D which is massive on quality, has video that matches the 7D in every way and is way cheaper. Pair it with a general 18-200mm Canon lens, a 50mm F1.8 and maybe a 200 F4 or F2.8 (cash permitting) and you have an amazing kit.

No offence but the body is not what makes the photo. The lens is where it originates and thus thats where money needs to be spent.

Bob-Dubery

guitarboy2828 wrote
Tonedef wrote When I was still a teen, we rented out a cottage at the back to a young professional photographer. He had had to sell his townhouse to replace equipment that had been destroyed. The story was that he had checked into a hotel in PE, but his room wasnt ready. He had a big hardcase containing all his kit, that he had left in the care of the maitre'd since he had a meeting that he had to rush to. While he was gone the shift changed, but the maitre'd had forgotten to tell his replacement about the case. The new dude, seeing the case, thought it was a bomb and called the cops. They arrived and dutifully took it to a field where they proceeded to blow the LIVING KAK out of it with explosives. Something to the tune of R300k worth of equipment murtu. He hadnt been able to afford insurance on any of it and thus learned the hard way.
You are kidding me?????? That actually happened? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Sounds quite believable to me, though it means that Tonedef is not recently out of his teens ?

There was a time when any package left unattended was presumed to be something dangerous and dealt with accordingly.

guitarboy2828

infernox wrote
singemonkey wrote The 60D. It's the same camera as the 7D just in a slightly cheaper housing which gives you some advantages over the 7D anyway.
60D is great but you can just as well go for the newly re-released 600D which is massive on quality, has video that matches the 7D in every way and is way cheaper. Pair it with a general 18-200mm Canon lens, a 50mm F1.8 and maybe a 200 F4 or F2.8 (cash permitting) and you have an amazing kit.

No offence but the body is not what makes the photo. The lens is where it originates and thus thats where money needs to be spent.

I have seen that there is a 600D coming out or just released. Is it better than the 60D? Forget the actual housing, which the 60D is better as it boasts a metal housing. I'll have to add that in the mix, however, it doesn't seem to be around in SA yet? I have a dealership who has great deals on the 60D and the 550D at the moment which is why I'm considering those too so much right now. They also have the 7D, which I could get, however, it would be awhile before i got any lenses, which rules it out for me!

Tonedef

Indeed, XRB. I'm 34, this was back in the early 90s when the IFP and ANC were still at each others throats.

aubs1

Wizard wrote
Aubs1 wrote ... I've two Nikon D200s for a few years now, and my AF lenses are like lightning fast, and ...
Wizard thinks: "So ... Aubs has all the cool guitars AND all the cool camera's AND all the cool lenses and ..."

My cameras are what pay for my GAS, they are the tools of my trade, not a hobby, WizKid ............ ?

aubs1

Tonedef wrote When I was still a teen, we rented out a cottage at the back to a young professional photographer. He had had to sell his townhouse to replace equipment that had been destroyed. The story was that he had checked into a hotel in PE, but his room wasnt ready. He had a big hardcase containing all his kit, that he had left in the care of the maitre'd since he had a meeting that he had to rush to. While he was gone the shift changed, but the maitre'd had forgotten to tell his replacement about the case. The new dude, seeing the case, thought it was a bomb and called the cops. They arrived and dutifully took it to a field where they proceeded to blow the LIVING KAK out of it with explosives. Something to the tune of R300k worth of equipment murtu. He hadnt been able to afford insurance on any of it and thus learned the hard way.

Tonedef, I believe that. I experienced a similar thing with the cops at The Cape Sun Hotel (obviously in CT) many years ago. Came back just in time when the dogs were sniffing my bags in the street, and got a rapping over the knuckles from the cops for leaving a bag with"cables" unattended in reception. But no need for the details. I was lucky!!! ?

singemonkey

guitarboy2828 wrote
infernox wrote
singemonkey wrote The 60D. It's the same camera as the 7D just in a slightly cheaper housing which gives you some advantages over the 7D anyway.
60D is great but you can just as well go for the newly re-released 600D which is massive on quality, has video that matches the 7D in every way and is way cheaper. Pair it with a general 18-200mm Canon lens, a 50mm F1.8 and maybe a 200 F4 or F2.8 (cash permitting) and you have an amazing kit.

No offence but the body is not what makes the photo. The lens is where it originates and thus thats where money needs to be spent.
I have seen that there is a 600D coming out or just released. Is it better than the 60D? Forget the actual housing, which the 60D is better as it boasts a metal housing. I'll have to add that in the mix, however, it doesn't seem to be around in SA yet? I have a dealership who has great deals on the 60D and the 550D at the moment which is why I'm considering those too so much right now. They also have the 7D, which I could get, however, it would be awhile before i got any lenses, which rules it out for me!

Always compare to the american price on B&H. Like I said, if you use R10 to the US$ you'll have a good idea of how much it's going to cost once it arrives. I've never had any problems with B&H and their returns policies work a treat.

The 600D looks good (was new to me) but I'm not sure if they're available for purchase yet. Wait until you know you're serious about photography before you start forking out for the fast lenses infernox is talking about.

Wizard

Aubs1 wrote
Wizard wrote
Aubs1 wrote ... I've two Nikon D200s for a few years now, and my AF lenses are like lightning fast, and ...
Wizard thinks: "So ... Aubs has all the cool guitars AND all the cool camera's AND all the cool lenses and ..."
My cameras are what pay for my GAS, they are the tools of my trade, not a hobby, WizKid ............ ?

With those guitars you must be pretty good at your trade then ?

guitarboy2828

singemonkey wrote
guitarboy2828 wrote
infernox wrote
singemonkey wrote The 60D. It's the same camera as the 7D just in a slightly cheaper housing which gives you some advantages over the 7D anyway.
60D is great but you can just as well go for the newly re-released 600D which is massive on quality, has video that matches the 7D in every way and is way cheaper. Pair it with a general 18-200mm Canon lens, a 50mm F1.8 and maybe a 200 F4 or F2.8 (cash permitting) and you have an amazing kit.

No offence but the body is not what makes the photo. The lens is where it originates and thus thats where money needs to be spent.
I have seen that there is a 600D coming out or just released. Is it better than the 60D? Forget the actual housing, which the 60D is better as it boasts a metal housing. I'll have to add that in the mix, however, it doesn't seem to be around in SA yet? I have a dealership who has great deals on the 60D and the 550D at the moment which is why I'm considering those too so much right now. They also have the 7D, which I could get, however, it would be awhile before i got any lenses, which rules it out for me!
Always compare to the american price on B&H. Like I said, if you use R10 to the US$ you'll have a good idea of how much it's going to cost once it arrives. I've never had any problems with B&H and their returns policies work a treat.

The 600D looks good (was new to me) but I'm not sure if they're available for purchase yet. Wait until you know you're serious about photography before you start forking out for the fast lenses infernox is talking about.

Does B&H ship to SA?

I'm pretty serious about photography and videography. In fact, it's a part of my trade. I have had a 10D up to now and have used that thing A LOT!!! Really have enjoyed it, but it's getting old and I think it's time for a newer one. It's just a matter of which one. Now I'm stuck between 60D and 600D. But dpreview is GREAT! They have so much information, i'll definitely spend a couple days on there looking through stuff before I buy anything! ?

Wizard

infernox wrote No offence but the body is not what makes the photo. The lens is where it originates and thus thats where money needs to be spent.

I agree - the body's job is primarily to act as a lightmeter; an image sensor; a focuser and a shutter.

My first lenses were 35-70 F3.3-4.5 and 70-210 F4-5.6 zoom lenses; both relatively slow and medium quality.

I then read two questions:
- are you always using the zoom lenses at their extremes? (I was)
- what are you actually wanting to photograph? (friends & family; and nature)

After much trading I ended up with three prime lenses; and my photographs improved significantly: 28 F2.8; 85 F1.8 and 180 F2.8 EDIF
The last one cost a bit; but produced stunning results.

Vick

Sorry guys,little thread high jack....

Quick question,I want to go buy a nikon 3100 this week(I have photography as a subject this year) where is the best place in pta or jburg to do this? Thanx a lot guys... ?

singemonkey

guitarboy2828 wrote Does B&H ship to SA?

I'm pretty serious about photography and videography. In fact, it's a part of my trade. I have had a 10D up to now and have used that thing A LOT!!! Really have enjoyed it, but it's getting old and I think it's time for a newer one. It's just a matter of which one. Now I'm stuck between 60D and 600D. But dpreview is GREAT! They have so much information, i'll definitely spend a couple days on there looking through stuff before I buy anything! ?

Yes. As I said. They're excellent. A buddy of mine bought a second hand camera from them. When the flash shoe didn't work, they asked him to send it back and they replaced it. Simple as that. When a pair of binoculars my dad ordered didn't arrive, they sent a second pair, no questions asked. The first pair eventually made it through the system and my dad sent them back. But it's amazing how reliable they are. I've bought a lot of stuff from them.

I've used as an example of South African pricing, how Orms gave me a price of R11,000 on a 2nd hand Nikon 80-200 f2.8D that I was after. Well, I picked my jaw off the floor and then ordered and received a brand new lens for R7,000 from B&H. Daylight freakin' robbery. This is why you should always check B&H prices before buying locally. The situation has normalised a bit now - with camera stores starting to realise that they can't blatantly rob us when we can order over the net. My girlfriend needs a good compact for work and I recommended the Canon 95S. The SA price was only a fraction above the B&H price so it makes sense to buy locally.

But as little as a few years ago, they were routinely charging us double and sniggering all the way to the bank. Course music stores are still charging us double for all kinds of complex stock and wage price issues. They certainly couldn't bring their prices down and still be competitive like the local camera stores have done.

guitarboy2828

singemonkey wrote
guitarboy2828 wrote Does B&H ship to SA?

I'm pretty serious about photography and videography. In fact, it's a part of my trade. I have had a 10D up to now and have used that thing A LOT!!! Really have enjoyed it, but it's getting old and I think it's time for a newer one. It's just a matter of which one. Now I'm stuck between 60D and 600D. But dpreview is GREAT! They have so much information, i'll definitely spend a couple days on there looking through stuff before I buy anything! ?
Yes. As I said. They're excellent. A buddy of mine bought a second hand camera from them. When the flash shoe didn't work, they asked him to send it back and they replaced it. Simple as that. When a pair of binoculars my dad ordered didn't arrive, they sent a second pair, no questions asked. The first pair eventually made it through the system and my dad sent them back. But it's amazing how reliable they are. I've bought a lot of stuff from them.

I've used as an example of South African pricing, how Orms gave me a price of R11,000 on a 2nd hand Nikon 80-200 f2.8D that I was after. Well, I picked my jaw off the floor and then ordered and received a brand new lens for R7,000 from B&H. Daylight freakin' robbery. This is why you should always check B&H prices before buying locally. The situation has normalised a bit now - with camera stores starting to realise that they can't blatantly rob us when we can order over the net. My girlfriend needs a good compact for work and I recommended the Canon 95S. The SA price was only a fraction above the B&H price so it makes sense to buy locally.

But as little as a few years ago, they were routinely charging us double and sniggering all the way to the bank. Course music stores are still charging us double for all kinds of complex stock and wage price issues. They certainly couldn't bring their prices down and still be competitive like the local camera stores have done.

I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad that they ship to SA! ? They have some AWESOME gear on there, but I can just see myself spending FAR to long browsing that site. Haha! What are import duties like? Shipping? Thanks for sharing though, they have some great gear!

singemonkey

It's varied which is why, like I said, I usually buy assuming R10/US$. That way my price takes all that other stuff into account. So if a shure sm57 is $99, I estimate it'll cost me R1,000 (maybe a little less) and it ends up way cheaper than buying it for R1,400 locally.

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