Nikon Purchase

[icecreamman11]

Which stores, B&M and online, have the best prices for Nikon D80, D90, or D300???

From my research, ebay "authorized" dealers have the best prices for packages. Can anyone provide input on the authorized dealers or suggest an online store?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[996GT2]

If you buy from an eBay store, make sure the seller has LOTS of positive feedback and includes a return warranty.

I recommend you buy from B&H, J&R, Amazon, Adorama, etc, since eBay doesn't necessarily give the best deals.

For example, you'll often see "4 lenses" included with a DSLR package on eBay. But you aren't really getting 4 lenses at all. You're getting the low end 18-55 and 70-300mm (a combined value of maybe $200), and crappy "close up" and "telephoto" lenses that just screw onto the filter mount. Those aren't lenses...they're cheaply made filters that will only further degrade image quality.

Also, the flashes, memory cards, etc in many eBay packages are no-name brands that may or may not be 100% compatible with the DSLR in the package, and certainly wouldn't provide features like i-TTL flash metering.

Make sure you keep things like that in mind when buying from eBay.

 

[icecreamman11]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If you buy from an eBay store, make sure the seller has LOTS of positive feedback and includes a return warranty.

I recommend you buy from B&H, J&R, Amazon, Adorama, etc, since eBay doesn't necessarily give the best deals.

For example, you'll often see "4 lenses" included with a DSLR package on eBay. But you aren't really getting 4 lenses at all. You're getting the low end 18-55 and 70-300mm (a combined value of maybe $200), and crappy "close up" and "telephoto" lenses that just screw onto the filter mount. Those aren't lenses...they're cheaply made filters that will only further degrade image quality.

Also, the flashes, memory cards, etc in many eBay packages are no-name brands that may or may not be 100% compatible with the DSLR in the package, and certainly wouldn't provide features like i-TTL flash metering.

Make sure you keep things like that in mind when buying from eBay.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

In addition to 996GT2's excellent post, it is also relevant to point out that camera manufacturers are fairly strict about "authorized resellers". For example, if you purchase a Nikon D90 from Joe Shmoe's Ebay store, and then 6 months later something inside the camera malfunctions, Nikon may not honor the warranty because you did not buy from a Nikon authorized reseller.

 

[OdiN]

B&H

Period.

 

[soydios]

Cameta Camera is the only place I would ever buy from on eBay. I've bought several photo-related things from them, including my AF-S 18-200mm VR. I'm also buying my D90 body only from them (they remove the kit lens from the kit and then sell the rest to you).

 

[ElFenix]

i wouldn't buy a package from anyone, but there are sellers on ebay that i would buy from, such as cameta.

if you're concerned i bet nikon has a list of authorized resellers somewhere.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: OdiN
B&H

Period.

Can't say I share your enthusiasm... the 2 times I've had to contact customer support, they were complete idiots. Doesn't mean they are bad, just not the be-all end-all that some folks believe they are.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: OdiN
B&H

Period.

Can't say I share your enthusiasm... the 2 times I've had to contact customer support, they were complete idiots. Doesn't mean they are bad, just not the be-all end-all that some folks believe they are.

I actually like J&R's customer support better than both B&H and Adorama. The 3 times that I've called J&R were handled without any fuss; the average hold time on the phone was <30 seconds and the person on the other line was friendly and spoke perfect English.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: OdiN
B&H

Period.

Can't say I share your enthusiasm... the 2 times I've had to contact customer support, they were complete idiots. Doesn't mean they are bad, just not the be-all end-all that some folks believe they are.

Hmm.

Well I've ordered tons of stuff from them and I've never had to contact their support because everything always arrived perfectly and they've never screwed up any orders.

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If you buy from an eBay store, make sure the seller has LOTS of positive feedback and includes a return warranty.

I recommend you buy from B&H, J&R, Amazon, Adorama, etc, since eBay doesn't necessarily give the best deals.

For example, you'll often see "4 lenses" included with a DSLR package on eBay. But you aren't really getting 4 lenses at all. You're getting the low end 18-55 and 70-300mm (a combined value of maybe $200), and crappy "close up" and "telephoto" lenses that just screw onto the filter mount. Those aren't lenses...they're cheaply made filters that will only further degrade image quality.

Also, the flashes, memory cards, etc in many eBay packages are no-name brands that may or may not be 100% compatible with the DSLR in the package, and certainly wouldn't provide features like i-TTL flash metering.

Make sure you keep things like that in mind when buying from eBay.

what he said.

i researched buying my d80 for almost 8 months...
at first i was all about those ebay combos...but then i realized that the lenses aren't great. (nor is all the other stuff that comes with). Then i was all about the amazon packages..but they're practically the same thing.

I ended up getting a good deal at circuit city. I used a 10% off coupon that i picked up on ebay for a buck. Plus Fatwallet.com has cashback for circuit city, at the time it was 4%. The camera kit was on sale and i ended up getting it for just over 1000 (which at the time was a good deal)

I've since bought two more kits (for friends and family). One through adorama and the other through b&h. Both offered good prices and serve (and fatwallet cash back)

watch the hot deals forums. with the release of new cameras - old cameras get clearnaced out

 

[troytime]

d80 kit with 18-135 nikkor DX lens (great lens IMO) and 4gb SD card for 769 from abes of main with coupon code CCABINCJ85
don't forget 2% fatwallet cash back