The better of the two lens kits? (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Another update.


OneCall would not totally pricematch D90 B&H kit for $1279

but they did offer to come down an additional $100 for the

next 48 hours (Total $1388). Still $100 more than B&H but

I get 12 months financing compared to 6 with B&H.

 

[Sam Posten]

I've never used or even held the 18-105 but it doesn't have a stellar reputation. It can't be that bad tho!


I'd think that the D90, 18-55 and the 70-300 would be a beginners kit package anyone would be stoked to have. Let me know if you want the lens!


Sam

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Sam,


I gotta go and hold both the D90 and the T2i


There seems to be a Ritz Camera in Monmouth Mall but

it is listed as One Hour Photo so I am hoping that it is a

full-fleged camera store as well.


If I can get out there before going to work and at least

put both in my hand then I can make a decision by day's end.

 

[JohnRice]

That is my thought as well Sam. I think Ron will be as likely to want to upgrade from the 18-105 as he is from the 18-55, since the quality seems to be about the same, but the latter is free. Body, 70-300 and free 18-55 just seems like the best way to go.


Same with the Canon option, so long as I haven't annoyed Patrick out of his lens offer.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

As an aside, kudos to Sam and Patrick for their offers to donate a lens to Ron's photography endeavor. While I do not have any extra lenses to offer -- my 50mm f/1.8 is on permanent loan to a co-worker's wife, who is dabbling in small-time professional work -- I can offer a Manfrotto tripod to the cause if you have the need for one. It's not a great tripod, but it is better than the cheap $20 units that get thrown in with the typical camera kit.


The great thing about this tripod, Ron, is that it will work with either Canon or Nikon.

 

[JohnRice]

Some great offers. Manfrotto makes nice tripods. All my tripods are Manfrotto. All my light stands too.

 

[JohnRice]

BTW, I want to apologize to Patrick for snapping at him. I know you are trying to help, and it is very kind of you to offer then lens.


The reason I reacted that way is because I know this is a difficult decision, and it often ends up being made more difficult than it needs to be. This stuff is really 90% psychological, and it is clear Ron has his mind set on the 70-300. Since that lens is a better lens, and is in fact the same lens a lot of people who initially buy the kit lens eventually upgrade to, there is no harm done. In fact, it will most likely save money in the long run. I've sold so much camera equipment, and I have always tried to identify what the buyer will be happy with, not try to sell them what I use. I don't know how many times someone has come in at the end and with good intentions created more confusion, usually for the person to eventually come back and buy what they originally intended, or wish they had.


So, again, sorry for my short temper Patrick.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Ron,


The D90 looks like a sweet camera for that price. The camera should last you a long time me thinks. And since it does come w/ AF motor built-in (and what seems to be a bit more capability for use w/ manual lenses), you'll also have more lens options w/ it than the D5000, particularly in the used market, if you later find the need.


For instance, if you later decide you want to add a "fast" (ie. bright) prime tele to complement the 70-300VR, there's the often underappreciated 180mm f/2.8 (that is similar in size and weight to the 70-300VR) -- I bought an excellent condition, old version of it off eBay for just ~$350 a couple years back before it became more popular. No, it doesn't have IS, but there's always the old monopod (or whatever you can brace against) for that, if need be -- maybe Nikon will decide to offer a 200mm f/2.8 VR one of these days (although they already have a mondo 200mm f/2 VR).


_Man_

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Reports are saying that the 18-105 that come with the Nikon cameras

exceed the 18-55.


But then again, just found the opposite in this article:


http://ezinearticles.com/?Nikon-18-55-VR-Compared-to-Nikon-18-105-VR&id=3997445

I snagged a second hand 18-55mm VR to try out. Within minutes, it made me smile. What I had forgotten was how much fun the D40 is with a light lens on it. While the 18-105 is not enormously large, it still is noticeably heavier. The 18-55 VR, on the other hand makes the D40 handle like a dream. The close focusing distance means you can get much closer to subjects and the maximum magnification for macro shots is larger than the 18-105. The image quality is also much better, I think pretty much same as the kit lens, in other words: very good. All of this makes this lens a lot of fun. On paper, this lens looks awkward and expensive, but on a camera, it feels absolutely wonderful. It's a case of the whole being more than the sum of its parts.

Scott, thank you for your offer. I hate taking free things from people.

Let me buy the camera, get settled in, and see if I need a tripod.


Thanks so much.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I just wanted to quickly come back to this thread

and thank Sam Posten.


On Friday Sam met me at my job. He handed me

a box that had never been opened. Inside was a

Nikkor 18-55 VR lens. I think Sam may have noticed

how much I was beaming about the lens he gave me.

It was the first step into my new hobby.

Sam had an iPad with him and showed me photos

that he had taken with his Nikon telephoto lens. They

looked sensational. It was taken at a local baseball

game and Sam was able to get nice tight pictures of

the batter at the plate. There was a lot of detail in

the photo.


I went back inside my office and immediately

Googled the lens that he gave me. The reviews

on the 18-55 VR lens were highly positive. It seems

that this lens exceeds those that come with most

kits and that people are very happy to use it as a

daily walkaround lens.


I really have to thank Sam Posten publicly for

his generosity. That was one of the coolest things

anyone has offered me.


I also need to thank Patrick Sun. Had I made

the choice to go with a Canon, he was offering

to give me his kit lens.

Finally, to Scott Merryfield, thank you for your

offer on the Tripod. Let me see where this hobby

takes me before I accept any further free gifts. I am

really taken back by the offer, though. Thank You.

 

[Sam Posten]

Aw shucks, twarent nuthin.... =)