Looking for a SLR camera - any suggestions?

[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.

[kgoings]

Since we got some shutterbugs on here...I won my fantasy football league and I am in the hunt for some new glass.

Looking for an 70-200 2.8 non-IS lens. Keep an eye out...I had the IS version...never used the IS and it was a heavy beast...I shot a 3 day college gymnastics meet and I could barely hold up the camera by the beginning of the 3rd day. But it might have had to do with the fact I was shooting with a Mark III now THATS a camera!

[UPHOTO]

Originally Posted by kgoings

Since we got some shutterbugs on here...I won my fantasy football league and I am in the hunt for some new glass.

Looking for an 70-200 2.8 non-IS lens. Keep an eye out...I had the IS version...never used the IS and it was a heavy beast...I shot a 3 day college gymnastics meet and I could barely hold up the camera by the beginning of the 3rd day. But it might have had to do with the fact I was shooting with a Mark III now THATS a camera!

I would go with the Sigma 70-200 2.8 then. It's just as good and cheaper and lighter.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by UPHOTO

I would go with the Sigma 70-200 2.8 then. It's just as good and cheaper and lighter.

Are there any reviews on how fast if focuses compared to the Canon?

[UPHOTO]

Originally Posted by kgoings

Are there any reviews on how fast if focuses compared to the Canon?

hmmm....let me see if I can find some I know there are. I've owned all three of them and it's fast, it is a HSM motor like the USM of Canon. So it's the silent fast motor style.

Great lens for the money.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by UPHOTO

I would go with the Sigma 70-200 2.8 then. It's just as good and cheaper and lighter.

I was actually recently looking at that lens.
Just need to wait due to Christmas expenses/debt. Not easy to come up with $700 for a lens now.
I use the Nikkor 28-105 which is an awesome lens and no longer easy to find in any packages.
Works well pretty much for all my needs but would like some additional zoom options if possible and you can't beat it for the price to have a 2.8 on such a zoom distance.

Now if I dared to unload all my Hasselblad Carl Zeiss lenses (6 of them), I could buy tons of these.