jim_correia

<blockquote> what would you like a flash to do that the SB-800 doesn't do..!?

</blockquote>

From a strictly wish list point of view, would anyone be interested in RF triggering instead of

IR triggering for CLS?

Andy - While my 18-70 is certainly not built like a tank, it doesn't seem particularly fragile.

(Save for the play in the zoom barrel extension.)

Are you rough on your equipment?

Interestingly enough, the wobble on my sample is bigger at the wide end than at the long

end.

I don't know why it doesn't affect the 70-300 VR. (It is a higher priced lens than the 18-70,

but still consumer grade.) Perhaps because it only has a single extending barrel, whereas the

18-70 has a double extending barrel?

On the refurb vs. new question previously posted, I decided to pick up a new copy of the lens.

I mounted it on the camera and went out shooting. I notice that the end of the barrel has some play to it.

A very small amount when the barrel is fully extended, and more when it is fully collapsed (noticeable

when putting the hood or the lens cap on.)

Is this normal for this lens? Should I return it, or just not worry about it and take pictures.

I don't know anyone else who has this lens, and the local shop doesn't carry it so I ordered it from B&H.

As a point of comparison, my 70-300mm VRII, also a consumer grade lens, is rock solid with no wobble.

The field seems pretty evenly split. I usually *do not* purchase extended warranties on

products. That said, what if I were to reverse the question...

Let's assume that all Nikon lenses only come with a 90 day warranty, and at purchase time

you can buy an extended 5 year warranty for $90 above and beyond the purchase price of the

lens. For those who are of the opinion that the $90 is worth the piece of mind, is it still worth

it to you when it is an added cost (vs. a potential savings)?

B&H has this lens at the following price points:

US $350

Gray Market $290

Refurb $260

The refurb comes with a 90 day Nikon USA warranty (vs. the 5 years of the USA model, and no Nikon

warranty or service on the gray market copy.)

Any reason not to buy the refurb? Would you trade 4.75 years of Nikon USA warranty for $90?

- Jim

Thanks all for the advice.

Ian, I have a 6 MDH, and the fit with the 70-300 mounted is tighter than I'd like. The 5 is

probably too small (unless I lay the camera down and don't carry the other lenses.)

Shun, the Micro Trekker 200 is probably big enough, but it doesn't fit very well. And it

looks like a child's backpack on me.

A shoulder bag is convenient, but as they get bigger, comfort tends to go down. A

backpack carries well, but accessibility is poor. Not sure which way to go for this trip.

I'm traveling very soon, and my D80 + 70-300mm lens doesn't fit comfortably in my current bag.

Any recommendations for carrying the D80 with this lens mounted? (I plan to use it to shoot at the

national zoo.)

I've also got 3 other lenses I'd like to bring with me. They don't have to fit comfortably in the bag when the

zoom is mounted, but should fit if the zoom is not.

If I can get it locally, that's a bonus, because my poor planning means there is no time left to mail order

something.