ganz_schrott

<p>OP here ... greed got the better of me and I ordered the camera & lens from Abe's. The next day there was a message that I needed to call them. Thought that was normal, since I was in Japan when I placed the order and thought that might have triggered some suspicion at their end. No such issue - they told me that as a gray import the camera menus and documentation was in Chinese only! I knew straightaway that this was rubbish - since Nikon allows you to choose the language of the camera menu. So I simply canceled the order.<br>

Later, I read Shun Cheung's message and noted his very discreet comment about "confidence levels" and decided to do a simple Google check of Abe's. Came across <a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/abes-of-maine.html">this </a>and a whole horde of similar bait and switch stories!</p>

<p>Shun Cheung: "...Therefore, the OP's initial post is incorrect and most of this thread is moot."</p>

<p>Turkey, er, OP here - yes, I goofed. I had meant to write <strong>Abe's of Maine</strong>, but inadvertently wrote Adorama. Sorry Helen, but thanks for your response.<br>

Abe's of Maine currently sells the gray D5300 + 18-140 mm for $683 (after the cash back discount), while B&H sells the US import for about $979 - ergo, $300 difference.<br>

In helping me decide whether to pull the trigger, does anyone know whether I can get a gray camera serviced <strong>outside the US within the warranty period</strong>? For instance, could I take the camera to Switzerland or Germany and ask for it to be repaired by Nikon?<br>

Also, are there any caveats known to anybody, about <strong>Abe's of Maine</strong>?</p>

<p>I am in the market for a new D5300 <strong>or</strong> a D7100 - with a 18-140 mm kit lens. Looking at the prices, it seems Adorama sells import models for about $300 lower than the same item from someplace like B&H. For the D5300, that represents about a 50% discount - which is too large to ignore.<br>

Of course I know that grey or not is an old debate, but I would appreciate any comments that you may have. How would <strong>YOU</strong> choose, if you were in my shoes?<br>

Two other questions:<br>

Are there any caveats about purchasing from Adorama (a store whose ads I have seen for years, but never purchased from)?<br>

&<br>

Am I likely to score better deals post Black Friday?<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>Sorry for reviving an old thread ... but now that the D5300 has been out for a while, does anyone have a comment to add on the 5300 vs. 7100 debate? I shoot human interest shots in public places and some travel / wildlife as well - so moving subjects is an issue for me.</p>

<p>On the subject of a cheap speedlight, would something like <a href="http://www.cameta.com/Precision-Design-DSLR300-High-Power-Auto-Flash-33817.cfm">this </a>qualify as a substitute for a Nikon speedlight? Other than a lower Guide Number perhaps, in what other ways would it fall short? I am trying to assess the value-for-money proposition of the product.</p>

<p>@Tom - "Uncharted Waters" is right, but I intend to give it my best shot (pun intended); BTW, I have NOT been "hired" for the job and am not being paid by a "client". If you read my original post, you will find I mentioned that the groom's father is a personal friend. AND I have no intention of going pro!<br>

@ David - thanks for the list<br>

@ Shawn - thanks for confirming my suspicion that the flash will be the most urgent upgrade<br>

@ Mukul - I LOVE Indian food and am looking forward to the wedding<br>

Thanks again everybody for your tips. Other than the Lambency diffuser suggested by Mukul, are there any other brands / units that I should look for?</p>

<p>Sorry for being dense, but would you please clarify "<strong>Sb800/600 and modifiers</strong>".What exactly does "<strong>modifiers</strong>" refer to in this context?</p>

<p>I am mainly a landscape and travel photographer (amateur) and have been invited / asked to shoot the wedding of a friend's son in India. Th wedding and its ancillary events span a period of -believe it or not - 12 days!<br>

While I am excied about the prospect of visiting India and shooting a wedding that is likely to be a riot of colour, I am also concerned that I may not live up to my hosts' expectations. I understand that Indian weddings can be somewhat disorganised, chaotic etc., with many improptu moments; all of which may pose special challenges.<br>

The equipment available to me are various older Nikon DSLR bodies (D80, D50 & D70s) and various lenses (e.g. 50mm/1.8, 11-16mm/2.8, 18-55/3.5-5.6 & 55-200/4.5) plus a 15-year old Vivitar flash.<br>

I do realise that this equipment is outdated and largely unsuitable for the task at hand and would appreciate any comments or suggestions about any essential pieces of gear that I may need to take (keeping in mind the usual airline weight restrictions). <br>

I suspect that the most urgent upgrade would be a TTL flash; if so, any suggestions would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>@Kent Staubus: Agree about a wide lens; I own the Tamron 10-24mm which is very useful. I also own a Nikon 70-300mm, bought many years ago but rarely used due to poor optics and no VR). Do you think I should consider replacing this lens with the 55-300 VR II lens that you mentioned above?</p>

<p>Shun Cheung & Luke Kaven: Thanks very much indeed for pointing out the limitation of these lenses with a D3200 - I was not aware of that. Does this same limitation apply to other bodies like the D5200 (or the new D5300) and the D7000?<br /> I need to replace the old 18-200 DX VR because (1) the filter ring came loose and I have been unable to fix it and (2) as you pointed out, the images are not particularly sharp.<br /> You are quite right: 16-105mm was a typo; I meant the 18-105mm<br /> I would be grateful for any recommendations about a specific lens. Thanks</p>

<p>I need to replace my old Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR and am currently considering the following to select as a new 'standard' lens:<br>

Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR @ $597<br>

Nikon 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR @ $397<br>

Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR @ $597<br>

&<br>

Nikon 85mm f1.8D @ $449 <br>

I will be using the lens on a D80 & possibly also a D3200 body, mostly for overseas travel photography. While the idea of a fixed focus lens appeals to me (hopefully better sharpness, contrast etc), the fact that it does not have VR is a bit of a worry.<br>

Any recommendations from the above list (OR any other lenses that you can recommend) would be much appreciated.<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>The filter ring of my Nikkor 18-200 VR DX has come off and I do not seem to see an obvious way to fix it, short of sending it off to a repair shop (it is out of warranty now). <br>

I can see the tail end of some small screws on the underside of the ring, but no obvious way to access the screw heads.<br>

Being unwilling to spring for a hefty repair bill, I was wondering whether I should try using 'Superglue' to fix the filter ring back on to the exposed rim of the lens.<br>

Do you have any better ideas?</p>

<p>Folks, thanks very much indeed for the great responses. Considering returning merchandise is always a pain, I am having serious second thoughts - though the extended warranty option of Adorama (thanks @Jonathan) deserves checking into.<br>

Can one draw a conclusion that equipment made in Thailand are more susceptible to problems down the road?</p>

<p>Of late there have been several sales promotions for refurbished Nikon DSLRs. For instance, right now I am tempted by a refurbished D3200 + 18-55 VR DX being offered for $400 by a familiar online retailer.<br>

What is the downside of buying a 'refurbished' camera? Or am I better off paying 30% more and getting a mint model?</p>

<p>Sorry for the thread bump, but I just received my new Tokina 11-16 from Adorama. I was surprised to find that the lens hood seems to be permanently attached to the lens and is not something that I can swivel / screw off. Is that normal or am I simply having a senior moment (apologies to seniors!)? If true, then it must be really awkward to carry the lens in a gadget bag, without damaging the hood.</p>

<p>Thanks for the helpful comments; looks like I will have to bite the bullet and buy the Nikon 10-24. There have been a couple of mentions for the Sigma lenses: Do you have any comments on how sturdy these lenses are? I bought only one Sigma in a previous life when I shot film, but that lens died on me just after the warranty ran out. The price (and focal length) is no doubt attractive, but it would be a bad bargain if the optics and construction quality were mediocre.</p>

<p>PS. My original post should of course read <strong>5100</strong> and not 5200!</p>

<p>I am an amateur photographer of modest means and modest talents and presently use D-80 + D-5200 bodies. I was thinking of buying an ultra-wide for shooting markets, landscapes and buildings during my travels.<br /> Right now I am debating between a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 and a Nikon 10-24mm f3.5-4.5; the former seems to be an older lens, the latter is newer and more expensive and is a little more versatile in view of the 24mm focal length.<br /> Which of these two lenses do you think I should buy or is there another one that I should consider instead?</p>

<p>I used a Nikon DX 18-70 lens on my D-80 and it seems to have stopped working (now that I am in Peru, of course). I get the 'ro5' error code in the viewfinder and the shutter does not fire. It seems Nikon is now selling shoddy products and I am questioning my loyalty to Nikon over all these years. It seems Canon equipment is far less expensive and there is no point in paying a Nikon premium, if all you get are shoddy products - as this thread shows.</p>

<p>I was given a Tamron SP 500mm fitted with an Adaptall2 mount for a Minolta. Could someone please tell me what I need to do to use it on a Nikon DSLR (D70, D80 or D50)? Thanks</p>

<p>Sorry for the OT response, but are you the AB of SXCS & IITKGP fame?</p>

<p>For Sydney, Alice & Ayers Rock, your 18-70mm should be fine; for Cairns, it really depends on what excursions you will be doing. If you can take a waterproof P&S, you will have great fun on the Barrier Reef, assuming you go snorkeling. For all your port calls the same gear should suffice; however, for Dunedin, assuming you are going out to see the penguins or the albatross, a long lens (e.g. your 55-200 VR) would be very handy indeed. So one DSLR plus two lenses should see you through (along with plenty of memory cards, if you do not have any portable storage). But considering the price of memory nowadays, the weight of portable storage media is not worth it IMO. Avoid carrying too much - the airlines are getting really nasty and schlepping all that weight will not be fun.</p>

<p>While doing some year-end closet cleaning, I came across three kit lenses that I have never used:<br>

1) Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G<br>

2) Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f3.5-5.6G<br>

3) Quantaray Nikon mount 28-90mm f3.5-5.6 Macro<br>

I use a D80 & D70 primarily (also have a D50 body, which is used mainly by the better half as a P&S)<br>

Are any of the above lenses worth keeping / using or should they simply be given away / discarded?<br>

Any opinions?</p>

<p>I have a D80, which has no place to screw in an old-style shutter release</p>

<p>In the 'old days' there used to be a wire shutter release that one used to shoot with the camera mounted on a tripod. Now in the realm of DSLRs what is the best way to shoot? Using the camera's shutter release would no doubt contribute to some shake; using a wireless remote has its own drawbacks - it requires the photographer to be in front of the camera and I have found mine to be a bit of a hit-or-miss tool anyway.<br>

So what would you recommend?</p>

<p>Shooting wildlife with a Nikon D-80 and a Nikkor 70-200 VR zoom, I am often constrained by slow shutter speeds with my ISO set at 200, while the camera is handheld. Using a tripod or monopod is often not feasible in the situations I find myself.<br>

In your opinion, what ISO setting will permit reasonable quality 10x14 or 16x20 prints (after some cropping), without grain being a serious impediment?</p>