Has anyone shopped here before?

[ReefRockerLive]

I found a website that is selling the Nikon D40x, for only $239 shipped. Just from seeing the retail pricing for this camera, the deal sounds too good to be true.
Click Here

Any comments? Should I go for it?

 

[BlueCorn]

Be very afraid.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/bestpricecamera

There are a lot of really sleezy places in the camera business. This is one of them.

When I buy online I use http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ exclusively. They aren't rock bottom but they're usually very close and offer great service.

 

[TikiDan]

Its probablly used. with thousands of acuations already on it.

 

[TikiDan]

I get all my equipment from www.keh.com

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10486238#post10486238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TikiDan
Its probablly used. with thousands of acuations already on it.

Doubtful.


It's probably brand new. The way that place works is that you buy the item online. You then get an email saying that they need to verify your information by phone before they ship. Once you call, you get told that it doesn't come with a battery, charger, memory card, strap, manual, software but they have a package price to get all of that stuff. When all is said and done, you pay quite a bit over retail. If you refuse the "extras", your order never ships.

 

[ReefRockerLive]

Wow, thanks to all who responded. I'm glad to have the RC photo crew on my side!

 

[Dino]

Ditto all that has been said - beware of shady places offering deals much below "normal" retail. There are some VERY good places online to order which even though might be few bucks more you know you're going with a rock solid place. B&H has already been mentioned, also very good and on the same level as B&H are Beach Camera and Canoga Camera. Also Adorama is pretty good although I wouldn't rank them QUITE as high as the above as they seem a little slow to ship and I've heard of other people getting salesman type calls from them trying to talk them up into bigger/more expensive packages and such.

 

[michaelaz]

Dont forget , alot of times they are grey market items, items meant for sale out of the US and therefore no US warrenty.

I once bought a camera on Ebay from a company in NY, a couple days later I got a call from amex , seems a guy in NY was trying to order 2 rolexs on my dime,20k.

I also have ordered from BH camera, pretty good deals also.

 

[skoomamonster]

I tried ordering a nikon d80 from them for about $300 and they said it would be on back order for 6 to 8 weeks and so 10 weeks later i call them and they said it was still on backorder because it is being made in china and thats why it was so cheap, they said i should cancel my order because the place in china wasnt reliable, so i cancelled it and wound up buying a d50 on ebay for the same price!

 

[ReefWreak]

I just ordered a Nikon D50 DSLR from refurbdepot.com for $550 after shipping, and I'm weary and shaking in my boots, however I hope that I'll be able to share a good site with good prices.

BTW they guarantee that it is factory refurbish and state in their ads that it comes with all accessories listed from manufacturer. So with those two in mind, I'm hoping that it works out in my favor. We'll see...

 

[KurtsReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10486240#post10486240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TikiDan
I get all my equipment from www.keh.com

That is an awesome store for used equipment, from my experience they rate the equipment very liberally and have purchased "Bargain" rated gear that was in very good shape.

The site you listed is among those that is known for sending you simply a camera body without any of the normal accesories such as battery, charger, camera strap and want extra extrodinary prices for those items.

 

[TikiDan]

I got my canon 30d from KEH for $960! it was used with less than 100 actuation on it and is still under warranty.
p.s. Just because a digital camera has more mega pixels, doesn't mean it is sharper. it only means you will get a bigger file size.
Besides the $1500 price difference between the 5d and the 30d the picture quality on an 8x10 is the same. If you go to 11x14 you will notice a slight difference.

 

[BlueCorn]

Not entirely, but mostly true.

Because of the sensor size on the full frame cameras the pixels are further apart. The result is less "pixel bloom." Whether that comes into play has a lot to do with the contrast in the image. But you're right in the fact that it'd be tough to tell the difference in an 8 x 10.

 

[MCary]

Canon and Nikon have a minimum price policy. That is they control the minimum price that their distributors can sell the products for. If you find a "really" great deal, its probably fraud.

skoomamonster, you need to keep a close eye on your credit card statement. This company will sell your information to overseas crooks.

Mike

 

[KurtsReef]

TikiDan,
The benefits of a full frame sensor is better (less) noise at high ISO's and the ability to have an even more shallow depth of field when using fast lenses...your right its not all about the file size.

 

[ReefRockerLive]

Thanks again for all the continued reviews and advice. Now, which camera should I get, Nikon D40 or D40X?

 

[ReefWreak]

BTW the refurbdepot thing was a sham. I called because I was worried because they sounded so crappy and shady, so when I spoke to someone, even though their website said "in stock" on a D50 refurb, the person told me to call back at the end of the week to see if they had any in stock. I said "uhhhm yeah... about that.... maybe no..." and then called, spoke to another person, and cancelled my order. Big thumbs down in my book.

I ended up ordering a Nikon D40 new from bhphotovideo.com and they're a reputable dealer, and I've spoken to them a few times to confirm my address and they should be shipping the camera out today or tomorrow.

Just thought I would give you guys a heads up. Anyone have personal experience with a D40?

 

[ReefRockerLive]

ReefWreak, when you get the camera can you please give me your first thoughts on the camera and it's macro ability?

 

[ReefWreak]

Will do. Keep in mind that I'm a broke college kid with a 120g tank, so you can imagine how many years it'll take before I get a decent macro lens. I just got the 15-55 that came with it, and I've heard it'll be decent on macro, so we'll see. Still waiting to see if the camera shipped out... I had to call to verify and was told it would ship today, but it might end up shipping tomorrow because it's already late now.

Is it wrong of me that.... more or less I bought the camera to take nice SPS pics? I couldn't handle taking macro from my point and shoot anymore, as they never came out well. I also plan on getting into the photography hobby too, but my first reason for the cam was the tank...

Anyway, I'd be happy to give you guys a very new beginner's take on the camera.