Looking for a SLR camera - any suggestions?

[Jay Hemingway]

Originally Posted by RX2010

you dolt

now that is just nasty...

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by Jay Hemingway

now that is just nasty...

how do you feel about jackass?

[Mr.Maduro]

Thanks for all of the great info...please keep it coming. I'm learning a great deal.

Also, if anyone else is following this thread to buy a new camera, buy from a reputable vendor!! If it's too good to be true, it usually isn't!! I'm finding out there are many shady online camera sales websites that are all affililiated with each other and are scam artists. BEWARE!

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Thanks for all of the great info...please keep it coming. I'm learning a great deal.

Also, if anyone else is following this thread to buy a new camera, buy from a reputable vendor!! If it's too good to be true, it usually isn't!! I'm finding out there are many shady online camera sales websites that are all affililiated with each other and are scam artists. BEWARE!

........................................I told you so?

What is sad for all reading to also know is that I think I can safely say what Patrick just stated can apply to approximately 90% of these vendors.
Do your research on them before you buy.
Check online for complaints against the vendor and reasons for them.
Bait and switch, grey market products with no US warranties, short on items ordered when received, wrong items sent......on and on, all part of their games.

There is one place and only one place for me when I was a professional photographer and even now in my long retired days........B&H in NYC, that says it all in photography for price, selection, reputation.

The other place that was a favorite of mine mostly because of their ability to customize anything for me was Armato Photo in Long Island. However, Armato was always pricier but completely reputable and man can they build anything custom or repair your equipment. Anyone ever need camera equipment repairs, send them to Tony.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Thanks for all of the great info...please keep it coming. I'm learning a great deal.

Also, if anyone else is following this thread to buy a new camera, buy from a reputable vendor!! If it's too good to be true, it usually isn't!! I'm finding out there are many shady online camera sales websites that are all affililiated with each other and are scam artists. BEWARE!

A lot of people get all up in arms about grey market. It is the exact same product, made in the same factory, the only difference is in the warrenty. Its just about how it is distributed. There is nothing "grey" about grey market lens or cameras. Its not like they are knockoffs.

Most retailers who sell grey market lens will include a warrenty that equals Canon's manufacturer warrenty (usually the warrenty is provided through Mack).

Another thing, if your purchasing used then it doesnt matter because Canon's warrenty is non-transferable.

I purchase most of my stuff used, and the new stuff I buy here http://www.adorama.com/

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by kgoings

A lot of people get all up in arms about grey market. It is the exact same product, made in the same factory, the only difference is in the warrenty. Its just about how it is distributed. There is nothing "grey" about grey market lens or cameras. Its not like they are knockoffs.

Most retailers who sell grey market lens will include a warrenty that equals Canon's manufacturer warrenty (usually the warrenty is provided through Mack).

Another thing, if your purchasing used then it doesnt matter because Canon's warrenty is non-transferable.

I purchase most of my stuff used, and the new stuff I buy here http://www.adorama.com/

sounds like you run the scam

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by Big Vito

sounds like you run the scam

Nope I am not in sales.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by kgoings

A lot of people get all up in arms about grey market. It is the exact same product, made in the same factory, the only difference is in the warrenty. Its just about how it is distributed. There is nothing "grey" about grey market lens or cameras. Its not like they are knockoffs.

Most retailers who sell grey market lens will include a warrenty that equals Canon's manufacturer warrenty (usually the warrenty is provided through Mack).

Another thing, if your purchasing used then it doesnt matter because Canon's warrenty is non-transferable.

I purchase most of my stuff used, and the new stuff I buy here http://www.adorama.com/

Plenty of great deals to be had on used equipment.
I have always gone new because in the photography business I was in, I needed reliability and a warranty to address any issues.
Some of my friends bought used stuff that worked very well for them and likewise, some stuff broke down sooner than would be expected as it already had ample wear. That is the risk they took for the discounted price.

However, on the grey market conversation? I would stay totally away from it. While you are right in what you state, if I spend thousands of dollars on a Hasselblad as an example, I want a warranty I can rely on. You are correct that the only difference between the two is the warranty but boy, that is a major difference.

When I bought my D80 over a year and a half ago, the $1600 I spent on my package was significant enough money for me to want to be able to address repairs in my country, directly with a reputable manufacturer as Nikon and not some third party.

Many folks buy grey market stuff of all kinds. Take the Mercedes Benz fad in the 80's as an example and many of them lived to regret it. The savings just doesn't justify it. With camera equipment, you are usually talking small amounts in cost difference. It is not like you can buy a D80 US for $800 now and buy a grey market for $400. The diffence is less. I say to save small amounts of money like that, just don't buy that large. Buy a cheaper camera that you can afford but with a US warranty.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Plenty of great deals to be had on used equipment.
I have always gone new because in the photography business I was in, I needed reliability and a warranty to address any issues.
Some of my friends bought used stuff that worked very well for them and likewise, some stuff broke down sooner than would be expected as it already had ample wear. That is the risk they took for the discounted price.

However, on the grey market conversation? I would stay totally away from it. While you are right in what you state, if I spend thousands of dollars on a Hasselblad as an example, I want a warranty I can rely on. You are correct that the only difference between the two is the warranty but boy, that is a major difference.

When I bought my D80 over a year and a half ago, the $1600 I spent on my package was significant enough money for me to want to be able to address repairs in my country, directly with a reputable manufacturer as Nikon and not some third party.

Many folks buy grey market stuff of all kinds. Take the Mercedes Benz fad in the 80's as an example and many of them lived to regret it. The savings just doesn't justify it. With camera equipment, you are usually talking small amounts in cost difference. It is not like you can buy a D80 US for $800 now and buy a grey market for $400. The diffence is less. I say to save small amounts of money like that, just don't buy that large. Buy a cheaper camera that you can afford but with a US warranty.

This is true, I just wasnt sure if he was looking used or new. If used, grey market and us model are identical. There was a time when the grey market stuff was quite a bit cheaper. But these days you can usually get the us model from places like adorama for cheaper than the grey market.

I just wanted to make sure he was informed about what grey market is, people hear grey market and think of black market...they are no where near the same thing.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by kgoings

I just wanted to make sure he was informed about what grey market is, people hear grey market and think of black market...they are no where near the same thing.

Absolutely a very good point.

[12stones]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Thanks for all of the great info...please keep it coming. I'm learning a great deal.

Also, if anyone else is following this thread to buy a new camera, buy from a reputable vendor!! If it's too good to be true, it usually isn't!! I'm finding out there are many shady online camera sales websites that are all affililiated with each other and are scam artists. BEWARE!

This is a good note to bring back up because even some of the scammers advertise in photo mags. I always check www.resellerratings.com to look for an online supplier if a deal seems too good to be true. And beware, many places are upsell artists.

[Jay Hemingway]

Originally Posted by Big Vito

how do you feel about jackass?

eeeerrrrr...

[Genetic Defect]

Originally Posted by Jay Hemingway

eeeerrrrr...

Is the marriage a cover?