Nikon D3100 14MP DSLR Camera w/ 18-55mm VR DX Image Stabilization Lens (refurbished) for $420 with free shipping

How long is this deal for?
Just not sure whether or not I should wait or pull the trigger.
So far I have Nikon CoolPix which is DSLR but I want a SLR.
I was waiting for Canon Rebel T2i but this seems to be very good camera.
Decision decision...

Quote from glennpok : Cameta also has the Nikon D5000 for $339, body only. Should that be a better buy than this D3100 kit? I already have an old Nikon 50mm 1.8D that I can use, albeit manual focus.

35mm f/1.8 is more useful on the DX crop cameras. I have both for my D90 and have never bothered to use the 50mm since the 35mm came out a few years ago. It is also on my camera 90% of the time. Unless I really need to go wider.

Quote from Centient : Though I have to say I'm kind of intrigued by the Sony a55/65's...

I would stick with a Canon or Nikon DSLR. Sony does hot have the long history that Canon and Nikon have in this area (Optics). Lately their electronics products have also taken a back seat when compared to Apple and Samsung. If you are buying an 80's vintage Walkman, I would definitely recommend Sony...

Quote from danied : If it drops within 30 days, it looks like it would be covered by the Buysafe guarantee up to $100.... anyone had any experience with this?

I bought D5100 and the price dropped by 50$ in two weeks. I filed a claim and received a check with in 5 days. Buysafe service is very good.

Quote from Prince01 : How long is this deal for? Just not sure whether or not I should wait or pull the trigger. So far I have Nikon CoolPix which is DSLR but I want a SLR. I was waiting for Canon Rebel T2i but this seems to be very good camera. Decision decision...

the D3100 and T2i are both fairly similar entry level DSLR cameras. the coolpix line is more of a point and shoot without the single lens reflex system.

I've been using the D3100 pretty heavily for about a year now and its a great camera. relatively light weight, compact, and it works with most of my old nikon glass, which is exactly why I bought it. I highly recommend the 1.4 35mm lens and the SB400 flash to go a long with this camera.

Quote from Centient : Though I have to say I'm kind of intrigued by the Sony a55/65's...

Quote from DealMayhem : I would stick with a Canon or Nikon DSLR. Sony does hot have the long history that Canon and Nikon have in this area (Optics). Lately their electronics products have also taken a back seat when compared to Apple and Samsung. If you are buying an 80's vintage Walkman, I would definitely recommend Sony...

No no no no no no no. First, Sony's lineage can be traced back through Minolta, which is as long and storied as you'd want them to be. As if it matters anyway, just because my great-grandfather's Nikon was amazing doesn't mean that my current Nikon DSLR is amazing. What took a tens-of-millions-of-dollars design lab 20 years ago is soundly beaten by a $6,000 computer with modeling software, which is why the cheapo glass around today like the various Samyang lenses are performing so amazingly well. Second, Sony has a long-standing partnership with Zeiss; go look at all of the people putting up with manual-focus Zeiss lenses on their Nikon and Canon cameras, just to get that glass. Third, Nikon cameras just use Sony sensors for the most part, and if you are AT ALL up to date on current photographic technology, you know that Sony sensors are absolutely destroying the competition when it comes to their capabilities.

It doesn't matter whether you go Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Pentax DSLRs. They are all great, all reasonably competitive with one another, and they will all serve you amazingly well. Until you get to the point where you are investing $25,000 or more into a camera setup, in which case you aren't looking for advice on a D3100 slickdeals thread.

Just because sony has partnered with others does not make them great in Optics. Here is the real Sony today:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/son...17764.html

Quote from Centient : I'm a DSLR newbie, and have been doing a good deal of research on my upcoming purchase. In fact I was sold on a T3i based on everything I read and saw, and then I finally got around to visiting stores to try the various models out. T3i is definitely a nice camera, but the Nikon's just felt better in my hands. Very glad I held before buying. Though I have to say I'm kind of intrigued by the Sony a55/65's...

Quote from shnitz : No no no no no no no. First, Sony's lineage can be traced back through Minolta, which is as long and storied as you'd want them to be. As if it matters anyway, just because my great-grandfather's Nikon was amazing doesn't mean that my current Nikon DSLR is amazing. What took a tens-of-millions-of-dollars design lab 20 years ago is soundly beaten by a $6,000 computer with modeling software, which is why the cheapo glass around today like the various Samyang lenses are performing so amazingly well. Second, Sony has a long-standing partnership with Zeiss; go look at all of the people putting up with manual-focus Zeiss lenses on their Nikon and Canon cameras, just to get that glass. Third, Nikon cameras just use Sony sensors for the most part, and if you are AT ALL up to date on current photographic technology, you know that Sony sensors are absolutely destroying the competition when it comes to their capabilities. It doesn't matter whether you go Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Pentax DSLRs. They are all great, all reasonably competitive with one another, and they will all serve you amazingly well. Until you get to the point where you are investing $25,000 or more into a camera setup, in which case you aren't looking for advice on a D3100 slickdeals thread.

I'm in for one. Hopefully I'll be pretty good with it by the time we go on vacation this summer.

Quote from DealMayhem : Just because sony has partnered with others does not make them great in Optics. Here is the real Sony today: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/son...17764.html

Just because some divisions of a huge company like Sony are bloated does not make their partnership with Zeiss any less effective.

I'm sure the pro photographers who run dual systems just to use Zeiss glass on 24mp sensors couldn't care less about that link. In fact, they're probably glad the company is cleaning up house. I wish our government would do the same.

FWIW, the pros/cons of Sony and the SLT design boil down to five things:

1. In-body IBIS
2. Continual autofocus during video and motor drive
3. EVF
4. Higher frame rates and less mirror shake
5. Reduced low light performance

Do your own research to determine if those factors are pro or con for your uses.

Compared to this camera, the A35 would be the comparable model, though....and IMHO the EVF on that camera isn't ready for prime time.

Looking at current trend this is $50 more.... If it is in range of $360 - $370 that makes a real slick deal.

Would it be a good upgrade to a Canon T3 for video shooting purposes?

Quote from shnitz : It doesn't matter whether you go Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Pentax DSLRs. They are all great, all reasonably competitive with one another, and they will all serve you amazingly well. Until you get to the point where you are investing $25,000 or more into a camera setup, in which case you aren't looking for advice on a D3100 slickdeals thread.

I agree and this is why I usually recommend people just go play with all the cameras in their price range and pick the one that feels best and has the features they want. especially since most people are still going to just walk around with the kit lens and use the flash for every shot anyway. haha.

Quote from AK_47 : Would it be a good upgrade to a Canon T3 for video shooting purposes?

What do you plan on shooting and how much do you think you could get for the T3?

Quote from formy3kids : Can someone recommend a good lens for sports? This will be my first dslr, and baseball season is coming up

Tamron 70-300 VC