Pentax has announced a Student Photography Program, which essentially is a rebate program through June 30 for qualified students and teachers. If you think you might qualify, check out the details in the press release below. You could get $100 back on a K20D, among other savings on lenses and bodies. [Read more…]
Nikon D60 Available for Pre-Order
Amazon.com now has a product page up for the Nikon D60. It’s available for pre-order with a ship date of March 29, 2008 at the price of $749.95 with the 18-55mm VR lens. Here’s the link to Amazon.
Stay on top of the latest on Photography Bay’s Nikon D60 page.
Olympus E-Series Price Drops
Olympus fans in the UK take note. Olympus has dropped the price to the popular consumer DSLRs, the E-410 and E-510.
The E410 body retail price has dropped to £319.99, a reduction of £20. The E410 Single Lens kit, Double Zoom and Travel Kits were all dropped by £50, which results in retail price points at £349.99, £449.99 and £399.99 respectively.
The E510‘s prices are £339.99 for the E510 body, £449.99 for the Single lens
[tags]olympus, e410, e510, price, drop[/tags]
Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM
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B&H Photo has a used copy of this puppy laying around the warehouse for a super deal of $99,000 with case (plus shipping). Looks like they’ve only got one though. Darn, I was hoping for a pair.
From Canon:
This remarkable lens is the longest in the world with full autofocus capability. Two fluorite elements for superb image quality, make it ideal for many professional applications where it’s impossible to get close to the subject. Fully compatible with any EOS SLR, including digital bodies, autofocus performance is silent and instantaneous thanks to the Ultrasonic Motor. It’s also compatible with the Canon Extender EF 1.4x II (making it a 1700mm f/8) and EF 2x II (2400mm f/11). Available upon special order.
B&H Photo: Free Shipping Upgrade on ALL Products
Just got the following email from B&H Photo:
B&H is offering a free shipping upgrade on ALL PRODUCTS! In-Stock and shippable via UPS items purchased today will be upgraded to 2-Day Shipping- at no extra charge!
This offer is good on all items, including thousands that are already free shipping. Simply select standard Ground or 3-5 Day shipping, and it will be automatically upgraded to 2-Day shipping, guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.
Orders must be placed by 11:00PM Tonight
This promotion is a great way for our customers to shop with confidence for last second holiday gifts.
If you still want to get you little (or big) Billy that special camera, lens, MacBook or whatever for Christmas, then you’d better hurry.
[tags]b&h, shipping, Christmas, presents, free[/tags]
New Nikon, Canon, Sony & Olympus DSLR Availability
Those of you looking for the hot new Nikon D3, D300 or Canon 1Ds Mark III are in for a tough hunt before Christmas. However, I checked Amazon, B&H and Adorama this morning and found the Nikon D3 and D300 available via Amazon (albeit at a premium price). I have yet to see the Canon 1Ds Mark III in stock at any of these retailers. Though I’ve heard of folks getting theirs via B&H Photo. If you’re looking for the Canon 40D, you should have no problem finding one in stock. Same goes for the Sony A700, including the highly anticipated kit with the 16-105mm lens. Ditto for the Olympus E-3. Just don’t miss out on the shipping date to get it by Christmas.
I’ve got direct links for all the different kit configurations for these cameras on this post.
[tags]nikon, canon, sony, olympus, d3, d300, 1ds mark iii, a100, e-3, availability[/tags]
Lowepro Fastpack Camera Bag
For those of you in need of a new gear bag (*raising my hand*), Lowepro has released a sweet new camera bag. The Fastpack line is a new series of backpacks specially designed for today’s on-the-go technology enthusiast. Whether the task is photographing family travels, or taking a day trip around town, or capturing that special event, the Fastpack backpacks’ triple compartment design provide a durable, lightweight and comfortable carrying solution that holds a digital SLR camera, extra lenses or flash units, a notebook computer, and contains generous storage for accessories and personal gear.
Outfitted for work, travel or play, the 180-degree access panel in the Fastpack makes loading and retrieving camera equipment quick and easy, while adjustable dividers enable its compartment to be fully customized to fit different combinations of gear. With its security flap snapped closed over the camera compartment, Fastpack offers an additional layer of security for valuable photography equipment while maintaining fast access through the side entry compartment – even while the pack is being worn. The top compartment provides ample capacity and puts personal accessories at the photographer’s fingertips. Two of the Fastpack series’ four models, Fastpack 250 and 350, provide an additional compartment with side access to a notebook computer.
All models in the Fastpack line of backpacks feature outer accessory pockets which provide quick access to larger items, and a harness pocket perfect for an MP3 player or mobile phone. With the compatible pouches, Sliplock accessory loops add even more external storage capacity and the mesh side pocket holds a water bottle, car keys or other essentials. Each model is available in red, blue or black.
The compact Fastpack 100 (8.7 x 7.3 x 16.1″) lets you carry a DSLR with a zoom lens mounted, as well as an additional body or lens and a flash unit. Also, there’s room for an MP3 player and a few other miscellaneous items. This is the minimalist’s bag that will come in handy on those hikes and other outings where you’re not going just to shoot but still want to have your camera with you. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 100 (in the $55-60 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.
The Lowepro Fastpack 200 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″), allows you to carry a DSLR with a zoom lens attached, in addition to a couple of extra lenses (or another body) and a flash. You also get more gadget space for an MP3 player, phone, keys, memory cards and more. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 200 (in the $75 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.
The Lowepro Fastpack 250 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″) steps it up a notch and allows you to carry all the gear the 200 holds with some extra wiggle room. The big bonus for stepping up to the Fastpack 250 is the ability to carry up to a 15.4″ laptop (MacBook anyone?) with the same side loading access you get for your camera gear. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 250 (in the $90 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.
The Lowepro Fastpack 350 is made to carry a digital SLR camera, lenses, flash, accessories and a laptop computer with a screen up to 17″. With a side entry camera compartment, you get easy access to your camera, laptop and accessories. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 350 (in the $115 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.
[tags]lowepro, fastpack, camera bag, laptop, 100, 200, 250, 350, review, photos, availability, price[/tags]
Nikon D300 Now Shipping
The Nikon D300 has begun shipping from Amazon and B&H Photo. Both Amazon and B&H are currently out of stock; however, there are still a few D300’s available through Amazon via third party sellers. No word yet on Adorama, but they were accepting pre-orders, so I imagine that they will be shipping out all their stock to those customers first. You can still get in line there though by pre-ordering and hope you get it before Christmas.
[tags]nikon, d300, availability, shipping[/tags]
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Camera Deals Rundown
Missed the insane doorbusters this morning? Don’t wanna get out in the mess of traffic today?
Let’s take a look at some great deals on cameras, lenses and accessories that don’t require you to get out at 3AM and wait for a store to open so you can get one of handful of cameras in stock in those ridiculous black friday ads.
Amazon
One thing I noticed when looking through the ads in the paper yesterday is that Amazon’s ordinary sale prices are not that far off (in many cases lower) than the crazy sale prices of retail stores. Additionally, Amazon has a special Black Friday sale today too with some crazy deals. Visit the Black Friday Page at Amazon for more. The Camera & Photo Black Friday Page is here.
Some of the ordinary deals at Amazon that are extraordinary compared to retail stores sale prices are as follows:
- Canon Rebel XTi $657.62
- Canon Rebel XT $472.88
- Nikon D40x $629.99
- Nikon D40 $479.99
- Canon 5D $2199.94 – the 5D is always overpriced at Best Buy, which is one of the few retail stores that even carries it. The 5D is $3133.99 at Best Buy in a combo with the Canon 24-105L (you can’t get it in “body-only” at Best Buy). The same kit is $2949.99 at Amazon.
Lenses are invariably priced lower than at Amazon than any retail store. Don’t buy a lens at a big box retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City. For example, the consumer grade Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is $239 at Best Buy through November 24th; however, Amazon normally sells this lens for $149 and sells the USM (ultrasonic motor) version for $189.95, which is a better lens anyway. Additionally, you will find a number of deals through Amazon that are in combination with Canon’s Fall/Winter Rebate program – see all of the Canon gear on this page.
For Nikon lovers, big box retailers will often times add the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm lens in a package with a DSLR. Circuit City’s got the D40 in such a package for $649.99. While that’s not a bad deal, what you don’t know is that you could get the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm VR lens for $203.54 at Amazon, which is about what Circuit City prices the non-VR inferior lens. VR is important at those longer focal lengths in order to reduce blur that is induced by camera shake. So scrap the combo and get the D40 and VR lens for about $680 at Amazon $580 at Amazon with the new $100 OFF offer for certain cameras a lenses from Nikon (the D40 and this lens being one of them). If you think that’s too much, then go for the same combo that Circuit City is offering for 2 Days Only at Amazon for $559.85.
You can also get a free 2GB Kingston SD card with certain cameras (like the Canon A570IS that I’m getting my wife for Christmas) through Amazon until December 3.
Wal-Mart
Just came across a couple of killer deals at Wal-Mart. You can even order online and have it shipped to your local Wal-Mart for free. Check them out:
Pentax K110D DSLR (w/ 18-55mm kit lens) for $399.84 (yes, it’s cheaper than Amazon)
HP E337 Compact Digital Point & Shoot Camera for $59.84
More on Wal-Mart’s digital camera offerings here.
B&H Photo
I just read an email that B&H had sent me earlier. Check out B&H’s 2007 DSLR Holiday Roundup and Point & Shoot Camera Review.
Final Words
If you’re looking for further guidance, consider my earlier Holiday Shopping Guide for a number of recommendations.
Got some suggestions for other deals? Found an insane deal while you were out shopping today? Put it in the comments and I’ll keep updating this post over the weekend.
[tags]black friday, deals, sale, digital camera, lenses[/tags]
5 DSLRs Under $500
Just in time for the holidays, here’s 5 great DSLRs (with kit lenses) under $500:
1. Canon Rebel XT – The Rebel XT was my first digtal SLR camera. I bought it shortly after it became available in 2005 for $1000 (a Rebel XT is $499 with a lens as of Nov. ‘07). I still use it on almost a daily basis. I’ve shot somewhere around 25,000 – 30,000 shots now. No hiccups yet. Anyway, I can personally vouch for the reliability and image quality that this camera packs. (Read more about the Rebel XT here.)
2. Nikon D40 – I’ve been using a Nikon D40 for a few months. I’m primarily a Canon user; however, I wanted one of these cameras to play around with and to see what Nikon had to offer. I am very pleased with the capabilities of my D40. The D40 is significantly lighter than any DSLR that I’ve ever used, even the Canon Rebel series. It’s now $477. (Read more about the Nikon D40 here.)
3. Pentax K100D – The K100D is compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced. The in-body Shake Reduction (.pdf fact sheet) means that you get image stabilization with every K-Mount lens out there. This is the only DSLR under $500 that does this. The K100D also features a 2.5? LCD, an 11 point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, ISO 200-3200 and 16-segment multi-pattern metering. All this at $449 is a heck of a deal. (Read some reviews of the K100D here.)
4. Samsung GX-1S – The Samsung GX-1S is a 6.3-megapixel digital SLR featuring world renowned Schneider optics and a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD. The interchangeable-lens DSLR was developed jointly with partner Pentax Corporation, meaning that it accepts K-AF Mount lenses. The $441 GX-1S is essentially a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2, which is just fine for this price.
5. Olympus E330 – The E330 was the first Live View DSLR, meaning that the LCD screen serves as a viewfinder. You won’t find this feature on any other DSLR under $500 (the E330 is $450). The E330’s LCD is “articulated,” it can extend out from the camera body and swivel downward or upward so the E-330 can be held overhead to shoot over a crowd, held at the hip, or even placed on the ground–something that’s not possible with a traditional SLR that relies on an optical viewfinder alone.
As noted above, all these cameras come with a kit lens in the wide-normal zoom range, which is typical. Still want more shopping options? Consider this broader post on a variety of photographic gadgets that everyone wants for Christmas.
Where to Buy?
The links above are to Amazon.com, which usually has the best prices on these DSLRs and many other consumer electronic items. However, if you’re not interested in shopping online, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers.
Your local camera store probably won’t beat out Best Buy and other big box vendors; however, if you have a question later, it’ll be worth the extra $20 that you pay for your camera to walk into the store with it and talk to a professional about what’s troubling you. This kind of advice isn’t limited to technical problems either. If you simply want to get better photos of you’re kids opening presents on Christmas mornings, these folks will gladly show you how to set up your camera for those shots.
If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. If you steer outside these three, be sure to read the reviews of the vendor on ResellerRatings.com. If you think you can get a Nikon D40 for $372, take a closer look at the 1.11 out of 10 rating and run away.
[tags]dslr, digital camera, shopping, christmas, gift, guide[/tags]