I have finalized my camera to Nikon D90.

[Love Photos]

Hi Everyone:

After all of you offer me some good advices, i am intend to select Nikon D90 as my first DSLR camera.

I had a look on the pricespy.co.nz website, and have found there are three options, either camera body only or camera boday plus lenses package deal, the following is what they had and the price:

Option 1: Nikon D90 Body Black 12.3 megapixels Special Price While Stock!
[D90 Body] Prices is: $1390.00

Option 2: Nikon D90 18-105mm VR Lens Special price while stock lasts!
[D90 Kit 18-105mm] Price is: $1875.00

Option 3: Nikon D90 + 18-200/3.5-5.6 VR $2748.00

The first two options camera from a dealer in Auckland call: Expert infotech ltd

The third option camera from a dealer in Auckland call: Parallel Import.

Which one of these are better, especially when one of the member advice me to get a decent body, and buy a very good lenses, and very often package deal offer not so good quality lenses that just make you buy more lenses, and hence end up spending more money?

My budget now is $3000.00 (took me a while to save these), should i have more options on the camera body and lenses or i better stick with the D90? I had a look on reviews from the internet, this camera get a lot of very good review on it's capabilities.

The two package dealer offer lenses, one with 18-105mm and the other is 18-200mm, by just compare the price, it make almost $1000.00 differences by just having a couple digits different for the two lenses? By reading the type of lenses, which detail on the description tell you why that is worth a lot more than the other?

Sorry to have heaps questions from someone who just dont know so much about camera. Many Thanks

[Deviant]

Whatever you choose, do not contact or give any money to Expert infotech.

i know many people who have had their time and money wasted dealing with that place.

the D90 is a good choice and if you can find a good price at a more reputable store i would say get the twin lens kit because those lenses are very good for what they cost when included in the kit.


and once you have become a pro with it, go on and save up for more gear like filters, lenses, lighting etc...

[Love Photos]

Awesome. Thanks for your advices, i am glad i post this before actually buying it. Now Expert Infotech Ltd will not be in my buying list.

You mentioned the twin lenses package deal, how much is it? where could i get it from?

You familiar with the Parallel Import? Are you any good?

Many Thanks

[Deviant]

I have never dealt with them but they have 3 stores in Auckland with contact numbers so if you live in Auckland go visit them or ring them for advice they may be able to help you and make you a deal.

[tomberkley]

I have purchased from expert infotech three times before and had no worries at all. got my 40d,70-200 and a mobile phone all at diffrent times, and had no hastle. the d90 will not disappoint good choice.

[Rick0r]

Oh holy shit don't get it from einfotech.

I have had NOTHING but troubles from those assholes.

Made an order on the 5th for $4k worth of items, four items. Three lenses and a flash.
Paid for it on the 5th. According to their website, all items are in stock. I pay for a fast 1-2 day courier because I need it fast.

On the 7th the status isnt updated so I email them, they're double checking with me how much the order was for, what reference I used etc.

On the 10th, it's finally updated to say Payment Received, will ship asap.

On the 12th I email them again, to say I would have expected to see a track & trace number by now. No reply

On the 13th I ring them to see what the hold up is. They say that the items should arrive in their warehouse tomorrow(They said they were in stock!!!!) and it'll be out the door as soon as they arrive.

On the 14th I ring them again, just to make sure they'll be sent today. After being on hold listening to their MIDI hold music, I'm told that three of the items should arrive at their warehouse today, but one wont arrive at their warehouse until monday.

On the 15th, 3 items turned up. Packing slip says 4. I complain bitterly, they assure me the 4th will be sent on the 19th.

Emailed them on the 20th to say the second package hasn't turned up yet, and to please send it immediately.

They just emailed me back, to say that it's all been sent out on the 14th.
Those little SHITS have the nerve to say that it was all sent out on the 14th, when they've already replied to me to say that they'd send the second package on the 19th.

One angry email later: I get a quick reply of

"Thanks for your email.
Sorry, no worries we will check the details and send the item today or max by tomorrow.
Kind Regards,"

Nothing by the 21st, so I email them again to ask why it hasn't been sent yet.

I get a reply saying:
"Hi,
Thanks for your email.
Sorry still waiting for lens, its on back order. No stock with supplier.
Kind Regards,
Online Team"

So yet again, they fucked me over.

I rang them and talked about commerce commission, Consumer Guarantees Act, legal stuff.. and almost immediately get forwarded to someone else, and they replied saying sorry, the distro keeps changing the dates on them, and they'll refund it asap.

Never. again.

28th, I finally get a refund for the the item that never turned up.
they never refunded the urgent courier fee either.

[Love Photos]

RickOr:

It certainly sound like a lot of troubles in your case scenario, this is something you end up with when you shop online. I had that kind of experience when i purchased an item from Dick Smith Electronic website. Took a while something like three weeks to just received that item. Kinda pissed me off too. As what's happen in your case scenario, it stated stock available.

Anyway, any suggestion where is the best place to get my D90, my money is here, just want to spend it on some decent store dealer?

Many Thanks
Jacky

[Deviant]

you could always look around stored like noel lemmings, bond & bond etc.

If they ask you if you want an extended warranty for "so and so amount" just say no because with a quality camera like a D90 you will be covered under the consumers guarantee act for the same period of time for free.

[talan]

Hmm, i've shopped at Expert infotech twice and twice i've walked away feeling the shop is dodgy or badly run. They are the cheapest for a lot of things but next time I think I'd rather pay a little more.

One time I ordered a microSD online for pickup. When I turned up they put through the transaction on my EFTPOS then gave the memory card but it was another brand and they just gave me the "oh it's the same" excuse. Could have at least told me before I paid... :td:

[Love Photos]

Um..... I will take that off my list then... Sounds pretty bad... I think i preferred somewhere else, consider i have save these money for a while now.

Many Thanks
Jacky

[monkfish]

Hey Ive brought stuff off Expert infotech and they've been nothing but helpful (although when I was in there someone was having a issue with them). If you can go in and pick it up id say go for it otherwise maybe go somewhere else.
Also don't pay until you've got the stuff because otherwise theres no push for them to care.....

[Love Photos]

That's a piece of good advice, and very true. I lived in Te Puke myself, but if i am going to buy it off them, i will definitely go up Auckland and buy it myself. Will not try to pay them online and have it ship to my address, consider one of the member already went through this situation with them.

Thanks a lot

[Haim]

Hmmm.......... good choice to go with Nikon.
Kit lenses are shit and when i say shit i mean shit. Dont get a kit lens. Not a kit lens that comes as a package with the camera or just alone - they are bullshit. Sorry offending anyone if anyone has them...

Get a prime and shoot with primes if you dont have much money for 'proper' zooms.

There are two main advantages to the primes,

- they teach you to compose the photo better and do the 'zooming' with your legs.
- they are VERY sharp ( well usually) and they are much much 'faster' than any kit lens. The ONLY zoom lens i know is sharper than a prime at all of it's focal lengths is the Nikon 14-24 F/2.G it's an insane lens that i will recommend to you if you are wide angle freak. ( only best on Full frame though)


I can get you a good price on the lenses and the camera body off bartman if you are keen. I hooked a few members up from this forum for gear.

Where in Auckland do you live?

---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------

bartman = http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=133366

[Love Photos]

Haim:

On my the other post, I have founded a website and it suggest three lenses will cover majority aspects of photography.

1. Wide Zoom (Nikon 18-24mm)
2. Tele Zoom (Nikon 55-200mm)
3. Fast fixed lenses (Nikon 35mm f1.8)

I have $3000 in budget, partially to get a D90 body, and the rest of the money will use it for lenses.

My primary interest is family photos and landscape. But i also interest in variety of other photos too.

Any recommendation i can get from you, Haim?

I have seen few of your posts, you took some amazing photos. Very nice, and professional.

Many Thanks
Jacky

[Haim]

forget zooms unless you have the money. i have already explained to you that zooms are not a 'must'.

if you are keen i can let you have a look at my gear sometime soon? I'm sure that i can convince u to get primes.

also the 35mm 1.8 is a new DX lens. it's not that great mate.... always think of the future. get full frame lenses.

did you think or try of the 17-55 f/2.8 ? that is a pro-grade DX zoom that will do from wide for landscapes and will do family portraits very well!!!

---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:35 PM ----------

why are you getting a D90?

[monkfish]

get a 1.8 50mm way cheap and super good, a shit load of my commerical work is done with a 50mm and for under $200 for a 1.8 you can't go wrong.

I wouldn't bother getting top end stuff to start with, because as you get better your photographic interests may change and lets face it when your starting out its about having fun just get some cheapo kit lenses.

[Haim]

get a 1.8 50mm way cheap and super good, a shit load of my commerical work is done with a 50mm and for under $200 for a 1.8 you can't go wrong.

I wouldn't bother getting top end stuff to start with, because as you get better your photographic interests may change and lets face it when your starting out its about having fun just get some cheapo kit lenses.

Getting cheap kit leses is the mistake people make whn they start off. Take my advice and get at least one really hood lens and you will see the difference.

[monkfish]

I think people take it too seriously. Ive seen a lot of really shit photos taken on good gear and vice verus. If you know your going to continue with photography for a long time sure get good gear.

But really photography is all about being in the right place at the right time not having super cool gear. Who cares what gear you've got? If your a good photographer you'll take good photos.

Ive yet to meet a client or someone whos brought a print/canvas thats cared about what i took it with.....

Get some kit lenses they're cheap easy and fun. Later on when you really know what you want you get fork out the $$ for the super tele or fish eye.

[Haim]

who was wtalking about fisheyes? who was talking about 'super' tele's??? he wants to spend 3k on camera and glass... and within that range / budget you can find some REALLY good stuff.... buying kit lenses is just a total waste of money... you waste it on shit glass and u lose it when you sell it to buy good glass.

check out what a QUICK search on trademe finds:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Camera-accessories/Lenses/Nikon/auction-254066411.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Digital-cameras/Digital-SLR/auction-253392247.htm

$3130.00 and you wont look back. Best combo ever. I was going to get that lens when i had the D300.

Trust me on this, you want to spend 3k? then this is the stuff you need to buy. forget those kit lenses. you have a good sensor.... its the same as the D300 sensor which used to be the TOP DX camera.... so yeah... put good glass in front of it.

[Love Photos]

Haim & Monkfish:

I think we all got our own point of view in terms of selecting the kind of camera and lenses.

Haim is correct.

Monkfish is also correct.

I dont want you both having a fight over it, it just different people with different point of view.

Anyway, I will go for Haim's advice, not because I am disagree with Monkfish, that's because money spending on camera are open to my family, they dislike me spending and keep on spending money on camera and lenses, and therefore they offer me this option, $3000 on camera, and that's the end of the story.

Before consider the D90, was thinking the D700, but it's just way too expensive, consider I also need a lenses for the camera, it will just out of my budget, and D90 is a very good camera, it seem feasible to buy a D90, and spend the rest on a good lenses.

Had it a look on the 17-55mm lenses, man, that take some very very good photos, very good glass to have. I guess if i go for this combo, I wouldn't consider anything upgrade for several years to come.

---------- Post added at 01:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 AM ----------

Haim:

from your previous post, you did said you could hook me up with some good deals from Bartman on Trademe.

Could you ask Bartman what's the best deal he/she can do on D90 plus the lenses?

My next step once i have finalized the camera and lenses is to find the best price, for example: the Nikon D90, i could ask my friend to buy it from China, it will cost me $1230. Therefore i save couple hundred dollars from my pocket.

Therefore Haim, could you get a quote from Bartman? so i can compare it with.

many thanks
Jacky

---------- Post added at 01:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:07 AM ----------

By the way, will this lenses too good for D90, and therefore can not perform best for this lenses?

many thanks
Jacky

[smurff]

for your family and landscape photos the lens suggested by Haim will be very nice.
but it may be rather limiting in other areas, in regards to needing zoom basically, so it may pay to also find a nice zoom lens that you can put money aside for, if you find you dont need it, then you have money to spend on other things :D batterys, memory, filters, all the other fun stuff :D

-smurff

[Haim]

No.... It's not too good for the d90 it's perfect for it. This lens is full metal too... Just offer that seller like 14 humdred vash see way he says. I will email bartman now

[Love Photos]

Haim:

I just find out from my friend, the 15-55mm lenses, can get it from China for about $2000 brand new, consider this is a very expensive lenses i ever bought, would of be better off with the brand new one or the second hand one that has been used for two years, and i have no idea how to find out if there are anything wrong with it, another thing is the lenses is out of warranty period too...

Would like to hear from you from Bartman trader.

many thanks
Jacky