[Proxima]

I think it is a risk buying an expensive lens from a online-only dealer in India. He may shrug his shoulders if something goes wrong.

My suggestion is to go somewhere where you can inspect and buy, even if it is a little more expensive.

EDIT: Just chatted with them and apparently, you can get it picked up from the office store in Chennai.

[tsk1979]

Well this lens is with manufacturer warranty. Moreover, the problem is that this lens is not available anywhere in Delhi, and even the dealers are not keen on getting tokina lenses. Heck even for sigma, its like pay now get later deal.
I am just hoping they are a reliable dealer! Considering their online store and all, I don't think they will sell second hand stuff?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Well this lens is with manufacturer warranty. Moreover, the problem is that this lens is not available anywhere in Delhi, and even the dealers are not keen on getting tokina lenses. Heck even for sigma, its like pay now get later deal.

Same goes for any Olympus gear. That is why I buy everything from Amazon.com all the time.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Same goes for any Olympus gear. That is why I buy everything from Amazon.com all the time.

Even I would love to do that, but the customs duty would make it too expensive. They put duty w.r.t India MRP and not the price you pay at amazon. +10% vat and all makes the deal horrendous!

[fatboyslim]

Originally Posted by shajufx

How did you get the feel on the D90 getting discontinued ? Any mention of that anywhere ? I thought D90 is one of the favourite among the enthusiasts, thats perfectly placed between beginner and advanced.

Hi Shaju:

Agreed that the D90 is one helluva of camera and has got its fan following. I felt so on account of the following:

1. Canon's launch of 500 D & 550D
2. Nikon new product launch frequency of about 2 years
3. Rapid fall in D-90 prices in the US

But, discontinued or not, it will remain one the best around. I ordered mine today with 18-105 mm VR from jj mehta at 67,550 INR through online fund transfer. The anticipation starts.

@allotherfriends: I am always a bit wary about online shopping for high cost items. Any issues that I should be aware of when my courier arrives. Any one with online sales experience with JJ mehta

Any suggestions which could be good CPL for 67 mm lens. JJ mehta lists Osaka but I could not get any website which lists Osaka filters. Gurus please do offer your inputs!

Cheers!
fatboyslim

[shajufx]

I got my Nikon 70-300 VR II from Jayesh for 25.5. So, I am ready to start my humble birding lessons from tomorow. As a start, I will be taking my guru and going to Hesserghatta lake early morning.

My previous bag was Lowepro EX140 which was just perfect for a 18-55 kit and 55-200 zoom, plus an extra battery, few filters, few cards, cleaning cloth etc. With the arrival of 70-300, I cant think of a space for body with 70-300, so I had to upgrade.

So, I got Lowepro Flipside 200 (same arctic blue in the picture) for 4.4. Its a nice bag with lot of space inside. It has a tripod holder too, which is very convenient. My bag will have the following soon:

D60 body (already in)
35mm 1.8 prime (already in)
70-300 VR zoom (already in)
17-70 sigma 2.8-4 macro os hsm (waiting for the OS version)
Few filters (yet to decide brand and type)
SB600 (for bouncing light, to be added later)
Nikon remote ML-L3 (to be added)

Flipside 200 has huge space inside. We can arrange the compartments in such a way, D60 attached to a sigma 150-500 can easily fit in with 3 other lens or flahes. But it looks very compact and small as a backpack too. There is a chest belt and waist belt. With the waist belt used, one can flip the bag to the front for easy access of the cam. Its nice and new as I understand.

[finneyp]

Shaju, congrats on the new lens & bag! You have a good collection of lens...
Did u get the bag from Jayesh?

[iamswift]

Originally Posted by Proxima

I think it is a risk buying an expensive lens from a online-only dealer in India. He may shrug his shoulders if something goes wrong.

My suggestion is to go somewhere where you can inspect and buy, even if it is a little more expensive.

EDIT: Just chatted with them and apparently, you can get it picked up from the office store in Chennai.

S'mart has 4 showrooms and a back office in Chennai.

[shajufx]

Yes finney its from Jayesh. I am just waiting to complete my bag in a month. If anyone is curious to see the performance of 70-300VR on a D60, here are few birds what I have taken today http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/1781938-post8106.html

[janitha]

As we all know, jjmehta is one of the most popular dealers and an online seller. Actually for several years, I have been visiting the site to get a rough idea of the pricing. Today it was a surprise when I saw 500D with 18-55 IS listed for Rs.45955/- when the Canon website's Recommended Retail Price is only INR 41,995.00.

[iamswift]

Originally Posted by janitha

As we all know, jjmehta is one of the most popular dealers and an online seller. Actually for several years, I have been visiting the site to get a rough idea of the pricing. Today it was a surprise when I saw 500D with 18-55 IS listed for Rs.45955/- when the Canon website's Recommended Retail Price is only INR 41,995.00.

I think JJmetha not updated its site.
BTW, I checked Canon site after seeing your post.
It seems 550D +18-55 kit lens is out with MRP 51995.

[amitk26]

Can someone post how to take Decent images using long focal length without IS / VR / OS

Gear in question Canon 500D , Sigma 70-300 DG APO.

I see too much of movement in view finder at 250 - 300 mm focal lenght despite holding my breath , keeping my elbows close to the body and keeping one foot ahead of other.

What should be the shutter speed , Aperture and ISO at this focal length to compensate for the hand-movement.

[tsk1979]

The thumb rule is 1/focal length(in 35mm speak).
For example, in your case its 500D.
Lens is 300mm.
So the shutter speed should be 1/300*1.6 = atleast 1/480.
A good space shutter speed is 1/600

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by amitk26

Can someone post how to take Decent images using long focal length without IS / VR / OS

No sensor IS, and a non-VR/IS telephoto lens isn't a nice combi to have :( Try using higher ISOs (~ ISO800) so that you can use faster shutter speeds or use a tripod - that's the only solutions I can think of.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by clevermax

No sensor IS, and a non-VR/IS telephoto lens isn't a nice combi to have :( Try using higher ISOs (~ ISO800) so that you can use faster shutter speeds or use a tripod - that's the only solutions I can think of.

Thanks TSK and Celvermax.

Yes you are right clevermax but I do not intend to burn hole in my pocket before I try out fully what I already have.

I think people used to take pictures using telephoto before IS/VR/OS was invented so it should still be possible LOL. I would try Shutter speed > 1/600 and ISO >800.

Using tripod is useless for moving targets IMHO or probably I am not using it correctly.