Camera Satisfaction Survey

[longboy]

What is low? R5k? R10k? R15k?

R10k max.

 

[OGroteKoning]

R10k max.

And that must include the body, decent lens and a proper flash... Difficult to do.

 

[garyc]

I'm a total noob when it comes to DSLR's. Which brand from the Top 2 will give you a sharper picture (I know it depends on the lens also.)

On any current camera the limits on sharpness will be almost entirely with the lens, unless you really lay your money down on something like a Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G. This is not something to worry about unless you plan to spend a lot of money on your kit.

 

[OGroteKoning]

R10k max.

http://www.makro.co.za/electronics/canon-/br-650d-ultimate-camera-bundle-253610EA ??

 

[chrisc]

I have a Canon and a Nikon DSLR. The Canon may have the edge on some lenses, but the Nikon is the most reliable by far. I have them both serviced and the fellow doing it tells me the Nikon is more robust

Having a remote control for the Nikon is a boon, especially night time images. In Sutherland recently I could capture amazing images in 20 mins of the stars moving in the night sky

 

[bwana]

Could you explain more? Not trying to be sarcastic, as I need a DSLR to take pics of models.

Models as in people or models as in toy cars?

Which is?

200-400mm. It's still more a want than a need... but I still want it.

I have a Canon and a Nikon DSLR. The Canon may have the edge on some lenses, but the Nikon is the most reliable by far. I have them both serviced and the fellow doing it tells me the Nikon is more robust

I've yet to have a body serviced.

 

[longboy]

Models as in people or models as in toy cars?

People.

 

[bwana]

People.

Might be tight on your budget but as long as your happy relying on a GYLS* it's doable.

*Giant yellow light source.

 

[Nanfeishen]

There were a couple of things I was interested in ordering from B&H. Which of their shipping methods work best to here, or are they all the same?

I have used both UPS as well as Priority Mail Express
UPS has depot 10 min from my residence, so i normally use them as once the order goes in and i recieve a shipping number, i contact the depot and place a "hold for collection" on the item.
UPS is a bit more expensive than PME which normally goes through the post office depot, and in C.T. getting there is a frigging nightmare in traffic on any day of the week.
UPS is slightly quicker, although if memory serves me, international orders of any kind only seem to leave New York on a monday morning, so if you place an order on a Tuesday then it will only leave the following Monday.
The Post Office Depot only seems to work on cash payment of duties, while UPS dont accept cash, only CC.
I have purchased both new and from the used department of B&H (condition 9 and above), and the parcels have always arrived intact nicely bubble wrapped, untampered and the items have always been in very good condition.
Just remember that the B&H is run by Orthodox Jews so check the Jewish Calender for holidays etc, as no orders will be processed during those times. They often post it on the home page though.

 

[Nanfeishen]

Really low budget I'm afraid, as I will be using the rig very seldom.

If you are using it that seldom, maybe consider just hiring a studio space for a half day, or even hiring a camera for a day or 2 ? It may work out more cost effective.
I seem to recall a thread regarding camera hiring places at some time or other.

 

[bwana]

If you are using it that seldom, maybe consider just hiring a studio space for a half day, or even hiring a camera for a day or 2 ? It may work out more cost effective.
I seem to recall a thread regarding camera hiring places at some time or other.

That can work but you want to have a firm grasp of what you're doing before you start renting expensive gear and studio space.

 

[garyc]

I have used both UPS as well as Priority Mail Express
UPS has depot 10 min from my residence, so i normally use them as once the order goes in and i recieve a shipping number, i contact the depot and place a "hold for collection" on the item.
UPS is a bit more expensive than PME which normally goes through the post office depot, and in C.T. getting there is a frigging nightmare in traffic on any day of the week.
UPS is slightly quicker, although if memory serves me, international orders of any kind only seem to leave New York on a monday morning, so if you place an order on a Tuesday then it will only leave the following Monday.
The Post Office Depot only seems to work on cash payment of duties, while UPS dont accept cash, only CC.
I have purchased both new and from the used department of B&H (condition 9 and above), and the parcels have always arrived intact nicely bubble wrapped, untampered and the items have always been in very good condition.
Just remember that the B&H is run by Orthodox Jews so check the Jewish Calender for holidays etc, as no orders will be processed during those times. They often post it on the home page though.

Thank you for the detailed reply - this really helps me. The K5 iis is going for a good price at B&H.

What type of duties normally apply when receiving the goods?

 

[Nanfeishen]

Thank you for the detailed reply - this really helps me. The K5 iis is going for a good price at B&H.

What type of duties normally apply when receiving the goods?

The deal at B&H is very good , it includes the battery grip as well, nice
I see the shipping only gives you 2 options though UPS or Fed Ex

Duties on my invoices was basically just VAT, so if i look at your order you should theoretically be all in for under 10K.
That is very good as the body alone in S.A. is about 15K.

Now i may be up for correction, i heard there is a difference in duties on camera bodies v camera lenses.
Lenses being considered as "peripheral accessories" as opposed to the actual body.
So maybe just confirm that one.

 

[garyc]

The deal at B&H is very good , it includes the battery grip as well, nice
I see the shipping only gives you 2 options though UPS or Fed Ex

Duties on my invoices was basically just VAT, so if i look at your order you should theoretically be all in for under 10K.
That is very good as the body alone in S.A. is about 15K.

Now i may be up for correction, i heard there is a difference in duties on camera bodies v camera lenses.
Lenses being considered as "peripheral accessories" as opposed to the actual body.
So maybe just confirm that one.

Thanks, I am getting interested in this deal.

 

[Nanfeishen]

Thanks, I am getting interested in this deal.

Here is one tip for Pentax, not commonly known

If you ever want to try a little astrophotography and cant afford a mount get one of these :

Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Module with Astrotracer facility
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/798898-REG/Pentax_39012_O_GPS1_GPS_Module.html

60 second exposure Pentax K5 :70 - 200mm f2.8 Tamron with gps

Without gps

http://www.lukeobrien.com.au/astro-photography-pentax-k5-astro-tracer
http://www.lukeobrien.com.au/pentax-ogps1-astrotracer

K5 + O-GPS1 + 300 mm 5.6 + tripod photo Stack: only 2 images
- 1 image ISO 6400 F6.7 (60 sec)
- 1 image ISO 12800 F6.7 (90 sec)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108137964@N07/14484182541/in/pool-1897863@N21

This Flikr group has some amazing shots taken with the gps unit
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1897863@N21/pool/

 

[Creag]

Nikon FTFW!

I own a Nikon D90, but I would be tempted to go with a Canon, as most of those I know have Canon and would make it easier to learn more about the camera.

 

[garyc]

Just confirmed my vote by buying a new camera (Pentax K-3).

Still waiting for the battery to charge.

 

[bwana]

I own a Nikon D90, but I would be tempted to go with a Canon, as most of those I know have Canon and would make it easier to learn more about the camera.

And better still borrow from

 

[mfumbesi]

Currently using Canon, but if I had to start from scratch (assuming all my current stuff disappears and I have money laying around), I'll probably go Nikon. There seems to be a lot more new interesting bodies from them (D610, D750, D810, etc) while on the Canon side we are still waiting for the 7D replacement. The problem though is with lens, I'm a sucker for the great whites from Canon.