Pricing and suggestions please? Kit for photography course.

[AstroTurf]

Hi,

I am currently looking for good pricing on the below.

Where would be the best place to get these? (pricing and delivery time).

Any suggestions would be appreciated (sigma lenses instead of Nikon?, Alternative cheaper tripods).

Trying to keep the pricing down as low as is possible whilst still getting a decent kit.

Thank you


Digital SLR camera body + Lens



Middle Range and recommended: Nikon D7000 DSLR (camera body and 18 – 105 mm lens)



Less expensive option:

Nikon D90 / D3100 DSLR (camera + Body 18 – 105mm lens)

D300 / D90/ D2



More expensive option: Nikon D700 kit DSLR (camera body and 18 – 200mm lens) or second hand D300 / D2



Dedicated camera flash

Hotshoe adaptor (If camera doesn’t have it built in)

A solid stable tripod eg. Manfrotto 055 range with a 322RC2 or 222 head

UV Filters for all your lenses

Polarizing filter

Camera Bag

Optional:

Macro lens, wide angle lens eg. 28mm, zoom lenses covering the longer focal lengths of 70 – 300 mm

 

[koffiejunkie]

I can't help you with price/availability since I don't live in S.A. but I'll give you the following advice:

If you have a choice between the D90 and D3100, take the D90. It's a higher class camera than the D3100. And a very nice one too.

On the mid to high end things are a bit trickier - you don't say what sort of pictures you intend to take. If you're into portraits/landscapes or anything that doesn't move, the D7000 beats the D300/D300S. But if you want to do sports or birds in flight or something similar, or if you want better access to controls, i.e. you're shooting in an environment where scenes/lighting/etc change very rapidly, the D300/D300S will be better.

The D700 will wipe the floor with the rest, in every respect. It's expected to be replaced soon though and whatever follows it can only be awesome.

Just a note, there is no D700 + 18-200mm kit. The 18-200mm is a APS-C (crop) lens, while the D700 is a full frame camera. Look at either of the 24-120mm lenses or a 3rd party option like the Tamron 28-300mm VC

 

[AstroTurf]

Just the list I received.

This is not for me (I would go 5D or 7D if I had the cash, I prefer Canon myself but she wants Nikon).


Thanks for the above info though will be handy.

 

[kim_bcs]

I would recommend checking out the pricing at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ before buying anything local. We bought from them recently because it worked out much cheaper even with shipping and VAT. And they delivered inside 10 days.

 

[koffiejunkie]

5D and 7D are worlds apart. Again - very different strengths and weaknesses.

 

[bwana]

I would recommend checking out the pricing at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ before buying anything local. We bought from them recently because it worked out much cheaper even with shipping and VAT. And they delivered inside 10 days.

Be advised local warranty support is unlikely.

Sounds like one helluva expensive course if those are the kit requirements.

UV filters? Thats just plain unnecessary.

 

[AstroTurf]

Be advised local warranty support is unlikely.

Sounds like one helluva expensive course if those are the kit requirements.

UV filters? Thats just plain unnecessary.

Yep, I no nothing about the course (except that it is a 6 month course and what the camera requirements are).
Believe it will be mostly outdoor.

 

[binkybozo]

the d7000 and the d700 are amazing cameras and they will give some time before you feel like you have to upgrade again. if you are taking a course the d3000 will frustrate you very soon. it is entry level and you will out grow it very quickly. it is a great camera but if you are taking a course get a camera with more of learning curve to it.

nikon makes awesome lenses but the sigmas are excellent for the budget minded people. their macro lenses are great. just read the reviews on whatever lens you get before you hand out money to get one. buy the best tripod you can get, never go cheap on a tripod trust me on this. get a good flash, nikon's are brilliant! sigma's so so (imho), so spend the money for a decent one. i agree with bwana on the uv filters, hoods will keep your lenses safe unless you are just really careless with your lenses i would skip this and buy a "good" polarizing filter and spend the money else where like a good practical bag, extra battery, lens pen, etc.

*edit*sorry bwana about the name spelling

 

[AstroTurf]

I am thinking of getting her the D90 as it seems be the best in the list within budget.
Also suggesting she try the Canon 500D or 550D (better specs than the D90 from what I can tell at the same price).

 

[koffiejunkie]

D90 is a great buy right now.

 

[AstroTurf]

So far best pricing locally seems to be Sacamera.
She must have the camera by Friday.

 

[bwana]

A nice simple comparison - http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D3100-vs-Nikon_D90 - you just need to figure out which features are more important.

 

[AstroTurf]

Ended up getting her the following:

Nikon D5100
18-105mm lens
SB-400 Speedlight
Manfrotto Kit 3-Sec Alu Tripod+Ball Head
Lexar 8GB SDHC Premium100x SD Card
Hoya Filter Circular Polariser 67mm
Hoya HMC Filter UV(0) 67mm

Thanks goes to Jason from SA Camera for the assistance

Some cheap bits here and there but if/when she wants to upgrade those at least she has a good place to start from.

 

[Zing]

i use several different suppliers and keep an eye on all their prices. comparative shopping is the only way to go.
the best:
nivo.co.za - always good service
catz digital (greenstone, great service, staff bend over backwards to help)
kameraaz in rosebank - always have good advice and have saved me spending many unnecessary rondts

also join many forums and keep an eye out for second hand stuff