Advice/Questions on buying Cameras & Accessories MkII. **Please read OP first**

MiskyBoyy

Hogzy wrote: »

Also consider the Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6
Its cheaper than the Tokina and is very highly regarded given its price.

Ken ROckwell does a good comparison

I like the sound of this but a quick Amazon price comparison has the Sigma £100 more expensive than the Tokina lens. Have you got a link to a lower price for this Sigma lens?

Hogzy

DaLad wrote: »

I like the sound of this but a quick Amazon price comparison has the Sigma £100 more expensive than the Tokina lens. Have you got a link to a lower price for this Sigma lens?

Google "One Stop Digital"

Amazons prices fluctuate constantly. Dont get confused with the f3.5 version which is more expensive than the f4-5.6

MiskyBoyy

Hogzy wrote: »

Google "One Stop Digital"

Amazons prices fluctuate constantly. Dont get confused with the f3.5 version which is more expensive than the f4-5.6

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=33642

That's the baby there.

Have you used this site yourself or has anyone? I see it's shipped from Hong Kong...

Also, see there's an optional 7 year warranty on that particular lens for an extra €11.82, interesting...

Bebo stunnah

I've Decided (after about a month of knit picking), that I'm going to get the Nikon d5100 over the Canon 600D. But I dont know what lens to get, the one I'm purchasing will come wit have an 18-55mm VR lens kit, (I was looking at another one that had a 55-250mm (I think), is out of stock. Would anybody point me in the right direction. My friend Suggested the Canon and to get a 55-300mm lens...

Kenny Logins

Bebo stunnah wrote: »

I've Decided (after about a month of knit picking), that I'm going to get the Nikon d5100 over the Canon 600D. But I dont know what lens to get, the one I'm purchasing will come wit have an 18-55mm VR lens kit, (I was looking at another one that had a 55-250mm (I think), is out of stock. Would anybody point me in the right direction. My friend Suggested the Canon and to get a 55-300mm lens...

The Nikon 55-200 VR is great value for money, and was designed to compliment the kit lens giving you that extra zoom range, if that's what you need?

I had this combo for a while and although it does its job very well I soon discovered the range and relatively slow apertures didn't suit me, so I sold them and now have a Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 and Nikon 50mm f1.8, so it depends on what you want to photograph and how you do it really...

Roomic Cube

I take a mix of stuff, from portraiture to landscape, and some other gig/candid stuff for good measure, so I'm pretty unsure of what direction to go with!

sebphoto

Roomic Cube wrote: »

I take a mix of stuff, from portraiture to landscape, and some other gig/candid stuff for good measure, so I'm pretty unsure of what direction to go with!

Define your needs first, then get your gear which will fill your requirements.
Take a look at your photos library and see what focal length you use most often. This way at least you'll know what is your approach.
There's a saying 'if your pictures doesn't look good it means you were not close enough to the subject while shooting'.
Lens is another tool, you might have one (35mm) and you'll be happy, but of course you can have multiple lenses and each will be for different job.
Does that make sense?

J0hnick

Hi, the misses is looking for a Camera, and the one on her phone is crap so I said Id buy her one. Thing is shes a total technophobe and doesnt need cameras that can record 720p vids or any fancy stuff like that, facial recognition, Image stabalization and a decent flash is all she needs really.

I was thinking of getting her this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-L55-Digital-Camera/dp/B005NZJPCG/ref=sr_1_21?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327307484&sr=1-21

Even 12MP is overkill for what she wants, her old Sony Ericsson phone only had a 3MP camera, but it had a flash and Image stabalization and thats all she wants.

Would you reccomend the above ?.

unattendedbag

Hi. Im looking to buy a new lens (only have the kit lens so far) for a Nikon D3100. Ive narrowed it down to 2 choices and would like your opinions on which is best. I would be primarily interested in landscape and scenery photography.

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=33642

or

http://www.harveynorman.ie/nikon-10-30mm-wh.html

Would there be much difference in quality between the two?

Kenny Logins

unattendedbag wrote: »

Hi. Im looking to buy a new lens (only have the kit lens so far) for a Nikon D3100. Ive narrowed it down to 2 choices and would like your opinions on which is best. I would be primarily interested in landscape and scenery photography.

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=33642

or

http://www.harveynorman.ie/nikon-10-30mm-wh.html

Would there be much difference in quality between the two?

Forget the Harvey Norman lens, if it was for your DSLR I'd say jump on it, but it's not. It's for a Nikon 1 -

http://www.harveynorman.ie/nikon-v1-10-30-bk.html

You can see samples from the Sigma here - http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=3

MiskyBoyy

For a point & shoot camera with the specs you stated I would go with this:

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5596588/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/3%7Ccat_15701393%7CClearance+Photography%7C14520956.htm

Mightn't be in stock everywhere but the one place I did check it was in stock anyway. Nicely priced too!

Edit: That link doesn't seem to work so just search Argos.ie for 559/6588 and you will see it.

unattendedbag

I see, thanks. Another reason to always try before you buy.
The sigma does have great reviews as mentioned above, Looks like my minds made up.

J0hnick

thanks, but the link doesnt work

MiskyBoyy

unattendedbag wrote: »

I see, thanks. Another reason to always try before you buy.
The sigma does have great reviews as mentioned above, Looks like my minds made up.

I actually never even thought of Harvey Norman for camera accessories, I must have a look!

MiskyBoyy

J0hnick wrote: »

thanks, but the link doesnt work

Yeah I had edited it because I realised that afterwards lol

As I said,
"That link doesn't seem to work so just search Argos.ie for 559/6588 and you will see it."

shaydy

Hi, I see a lot of "refurbished" SLR cameras on eBay from sellers with positive feedback. Anyone know what the deal is with these cameras? Avoid? Thanks

Hogzy

shaydy wrote: »

Hi, I see a lot of "refurbished" SLR cameras on eBay from sellers with positive feedback. Anyone know what the deal is with these cameras? Avoid? Thanks

I personally would. I wouldnt buy any camera equipment refurbished from ebay unless i could inspect it first.

If it comes with a manufacturers warranty though then i would consider it.

shaydy

Hogzy wrote: »

I personally would. I wouldnt buy any camera equipment refurbished from ebay unless i could inspect it first.

If it comes with a manufacturers warranty though then i would consider it.

I was offered one yesterday and while the seller and the camera appear fine it just seems such a large risk. I'm going to avoid, but wanted to see what people thought.

Thanks

sebphoto

shaydy wrote: »

I was offered one yesterday and while the seller and the camera appear fine it just seems such a large risk. I'm going to avoid, but wanted to see what people thought.

Thanks

I'd say: never, ever whatsoever take such offers as 'opportunities'. You might end up with sh**y equipment or you'll have to pay extra for sending it back.
I've bought several DSLR bodies over the internet, but I had to inspect each item every time. Don't rush
By the way what are you looking for?

dedaw

People,
Need your expertise and advice. Looking to purchase a new, improved camera on the old point and shoot. Price range tops of approx €300. Kind of leaning towards a bridge camera as I'm a novice so would like the camera to do most of the work for me, and I don't see it as becoming a major hobby for me. Have been recently joined by our first born, so I like the look of continuous shooting (fps) to try get the best shot. Also, availability of video capture. Would prefer a lithium battery but most in my price range seem to be 4 x AA.
Have found;
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/7143836/art/panasonic/lumix-dmc-fz45-black.html
or
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5597381/Trail/searchtext%3EBRIDGE+CAMERA.htm
or
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/NEW-FUJIFILM-FINEPIX-HS20EXR-DIGITAL-CAMERA-BLACK-HS-20-/290650546859?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item43ac1f62ab#ht_5877wt_1139

Opinions/suggestions would be much appreciated.

shaydy

sebphoto wrote: »

I'd say: never, ever whatsoever take such offers as 'opportunities'. You might end up with sh**y equipment or you'll have to pay extra for sending it back.
I've bought several DSLR bodies over the internet, but I had to inspect each item every time. Don't rush
By the way what are you looking for?

Thanks for the advice, I was looking for something that would take decent stills for home use but also with good video. I bought a second hand Lumix GH1 yesterday which I believe will suit my needs. In the past I had a pretty decent camcorder but below average camera, I wasnt getting the use out of the camcorder so I sold it and decided to buy something decent. Hopefully I've found that:o

fox007

DaLad wrote: »

unattendedbag wrote: »

I see, thanks. Another reason to always try before you buy.
The sigma does have great reviews as mentioned above, Looks like my minds made up.

I actually never even thought of Harvey Norman for camera accessories, I must have a look!

I bought a sigma 70-300 from H R last year I thought the price was wrong on a leaf leat I got in the door.I can't remember the price off hand but it was one of the best I have seen at the time.Also I was waiting for 15 minutes while the guy found the right one out the back gave me 30% discount on a tripod try it what have you got to loose.

I'm looking for a 70-200 f2 sigma if anyone knows where there any deals going cheers

Bebo stunnah

Was just wondering would the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens be compatible with the Nikon d5100?

MiskyBoyy

Bebo stunnah wrote: »

Was just wondering would the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens be compatible with the Nikon d5100?

Hope this helps:

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5100/compatibility02.htm

Kenny Logins

Bebo stunnah wrote: »

Was just wondering would the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens be compatible with the Nikon d5100?

AF-S (auto focus motor) DX (crop sensor) lenses are, yes.

mc_grens

There's a second hand Canon EF 70-300mm USM IS in The Camera Exchange on George's Street its €425 inclusive of a pretty good filter and the lens hood. Its boxed and seems to be in good nick.

I've asked them to hold it for me. However I've re-read the Ken Rockwell review and he talks about the one big downfall of the "used" lens that he borrowed to review being that the zoom flops out when pointed straight down and in when pointed up.

Has anyone any experience of this? Should I buy?

pixbyjohn

It is called lens creep, and it happens if the lensbarrel becomes slack.

Telchak

mc_grens wrote: »

There's a second hand Canon EF 70-300mm USM IS in The Camera Exchange on George's Street its €425 inclusive of a pretty good filter and the lens hood. Its boxed and seems to be in good nick.

You know they're only €480 new in Bermingham's?

mc_grens

Telchak wrote: »

You know they're only €480 new in Bermingham's?

Well thats great to know. Cheers.

Regardless it looks like I'll sadly have to put it off for a month or two, my laptop died on me earlier and is sadly gone to the big laptop bag in the sky permanently :-(

Bebo stunnah

I'm placing my order for my camera, and am getting it from Pixmania, seen the same one in Simply Electronics, but after researching it, I'll steer clear of them. The only thing that's annoying me is that they have an Irish and UK site, but I was looking at getting this lens http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/536785/art/nikon/af-s-dx-vr-zoom-nikkor-55.html but (including the exchange rate) it's €40 more expensive than the one on the UK site http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/536785/art/nikon/af-s-dx-vr-zoom-nikkor-55.html