Pending Amazon Nikon D90 purchase/discounts?/codes?

[Venge]

I'm a couple days away from purchasing a D90 body,and 18-200mm Zoom from Amazon.I wanted to purchase from a reputable dealer.They also happen to have THE lowest price from a place you've actually heard of.Just wondering if anyone knew any codes,or discounts from amazon,or Nikon that I would benefit from.Every penny saved counts.Currently I'm looking at spending $1577.

[chyidean]

You could combine B&H's kit deal with Live Cashback.

It would be fair to say that B&H's reputation is far better than Amazon's in the photographic world.

And are you sure you want the 18-200mm? Perhaps you came to the conclusion it was a superb lens by looking Ken's glowing review of the lens? I was actually considering that lens when I was purchasing my first DSLR (D90, like you) previously but led away by other photographers. Apparently it gets soft after 135mm and you need to stop down to around f/9. There's also distortion throughout the range, but that's to be expected from a superzoom.

I ended up with the 16-85mm. You can see a couple of my samples with the D90 and the 16-85mm in my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1754...807872866/

They say that equipment doesn't matter, but all those pictures (and the ones in my photostream) are all within the first 200 images I've taken with a DSLR. I think it would be safe to say the equipment helped.

[judal98]

Haven't researched, but J&R is at 7% Livecashback they generally run free shipping on nicer cameras...just a thought

[chyidean]

Quote from judal98 : Haven't researched, but J&R is at 7% Livecashback they generally run free shipping on nicer cameras...just a thought

Considered that site too, but the 6.32 @ ResellerRatings scared me off. I decided it wasn't worth it for big ticket items and just went with B&H (which also has free shipping).

[Venge]

Quote from chyidean : You could combine B&H's kit deal with Live Cashback. It would be fair to say that B&H's reputation is far better than Amazon's in the photographic world. And are you sure you want the 18-200mm? Perhaps you came to the conclusion it was a superb lens by looking Ken's glowing review of the lens? I was actually considering that lens when I was purchasing my first DSLR (D90, like you) previously but led away by other photographers. Apparently it gets soft after 135mm and you need to stop down to around f/9. There's also distortion throughout the range, but that's to be expected from a superzoom. I ended up with the 16-85mm. You can see a couple of my samples with the D90 and the 16-85mm in my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1754...807872866/ They say that equipment doesn't matter, but all those pictures (and the ones in my photostream) are all within the first 200 images I've taken with a DSLR. I think it would be safe to say the equipment helped.

I believe you may have persuaded me to the 16-85mm vr

[chyidean]

Quote from Venge : I believe you may have persuaded me to the 16-85mm vr

My view's biased, you might want to do some of your own research as well. One of the main reasons I went with the 16-85mm instead of the 18-200mm was because I almost never shot in the tele end of my point and shoot - I always went for the wide angle. To me, the extra 2mm was worth losing the 85-200mm.

Your shooting habits might be different. You might want to get the body first, and bring it into a local camera shop and try out lenses... but that might defeat the purpose of buying a kit and getting the discount.

Choices, choices.

[reva]

Quote from chyidean : Considered that site too, but the 6.32 @ ResellerRatings scared me off. I decided it wasn't worth it for big ticket items and just went with B&H (which also has free shipping).

I got my d90 from J&R with no problems, and rediculously quick shipping.

[katierysz]

I got my D80 from Abe's of Maine with no complaints whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it arrived within 2 days and I got a coupon code off here. Do a search and I'll sure you'll find one.

[wish1510]

If you can wait, I would wait till PMA (march 3). There are high expectations for a D400 announcement, which is supposed to be based D700 (one of the best cameras in the market, right now) at a price point below 2000.

[wish1510]

Quote from chyidean : You could combine B&H's kit deal with Live Cashback. It would be fair to say that B&H's reputation is far better than Amazon's in the photographic world. And are you sure you want the 18-200mm? Perhaps you came to the conclusion it was a superb lens by looking Ken's glowing review of the lens? I was actually considering that lens when I was purchasing my first DSLR (D90, like you) previously but led away by other photographers. Apparently it gets soft after 135mm and you need to stop down to around f/9. There's also distortion throughout the range, but that's to be expected from a superzoom. I ended up with the 16-85mm. You can see a couple of my samples with the D90 and the 16-85mm in my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1754...807872866/ They say that equipment doesn't matter, but all those pictures (and the ones in my photostream) are all within the first 200 images I've taken with a DSLR. I think it would be safe to say the equipment helped.

Awesome pictures, repping you just cause I liked your images in Flickr.

[judal98]

Wow, I did not even think of checking out J&R (but always a good idea)...I have dealt with them for years and have never had a problem...the are good with returns too (30 days, no re-stock, even on DSLR's)...and my D90 was packed very, very securely...also, just today got an ooma from them (works great!), and again, packed very securely (and shipped out very quickly, even with UPS Ground)...

Yes, very nice pictures indeed.

[herbie711]

Quote from chyidean : I ended up with the 16-85mm. You can see a couple of my samples with the D90 and the 16-85mm in my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1754...807872866/ They say that equipment doesn't matter, but all those pictures (and the ones in my photostream) are all within the first 200 images I've taken with a DSLR. I think it would be safe to say the equipment helped.

Did you also consider the 18-105mm lens that is normally kitted w/ the D90? Why did you choose the 16-85 over that?

[chyidean]

Quote from herbie711 : Did you also consider the 18-105mm lens that is normally kitted w/ the D90? Why did you choose the 16-85 over that?

I chose the 16-85mm over the kit lens because of the metal mount. I won't pretend I know the difference of a metal over a plastic mount - this is my first DSLR purchase as well - but from what I've read the plastic wears out more easily and sometimes puts shavings in the camera.

The 18-105mm also supposedly has mustache type distortion which is much harder to correct in Photoshop or Lightroom. Again, I wouldn't know; I'm taking things on faith from what I hear in reviews.

The 16-85mm also offers a 2mm wider view. Not that significant, but I prefer wide angles to close up zooms (that might change though; I'm seriously contemplating a macro for use as both a tele and a macro.)

Lastly, the 16-85mm is supposed to have better build quality over the kit lens. But then again, that's to be expected given the large price difference. Kind of tying onto that - the 16-85 shows you the focusing meter on top, while the 18-105mm does not.

But from what I've read, the 18-105 isn't too shoddy if you can live with the minor inconveniences. Contrast and sharpness should be on par with the 16-85mm.

[djcb]

I agree that the 18-200 is convenient, and frankly wish I hadn't spent the money on it. I wish now that I'd have put it towards a Nikkor pro lens with higher quality glass and faster dof. Could get some mean, mean photos then. Reason I "settled" with the 18-200 VR is because I have a D40 and until I upgrade to D80/90/200/300 Im stuck using DX lenses .

Quote from chyidean : You could combine B&H's kit deal with Live Cashback. It would be fair to say that B&H's reputation is far better than Amazon's in the photographic world. And are you sure you want the 18-200mm? Perhaps you came to the conclusion it was a superb lens by looking Ken's glowing review of the lens? I was actually considering that lens when I was purchasing my first DSLR (D90, like you) previously but led away by other photographers. Apparently it gets soft after 135mm and you need to stop down to around f/9. There's also distortion throughout the range, but that's to be expected from a superzoom. I ended up with the 16-85mm. You can see a couple of my samples with the D90 and the 16-85mm in my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1754...807872866/ They say that equipment doesn't matter, but all those pictures (and the ones in my photostream) are all within the first 200 images I've taken with a DSLR. I think it would be safe to say the equipment helped.

[chyidean]

Quote from djcb : I agree that the 18-200 is convenient, and frankly wish I hadn't spent the money on it. I wish now that I'd have put it towards a Nikkor pro lens with higher quality glass and faster dof. Could get some mean, mean photos then. Reason I "settled" with the 18-200 VR is because I have a D40 and until I upgrade to D80/90/200/300 Im stuck using DX lenses .

Those cameras take DX lenses as well; the only FX bodies in Nikon's lineup are the D700, D3, and D3x.