[Aroy]

Originally Posted by aburagohain

Thanks Aroy, but not exactly what I am looking for; the Bronc is the entire power pack that stays near the photographer for controlling lamp heads that may be further away and more importantly, it is way way out of budget

I have much simpler needs, a portable battery pack to power two monolights, total 800 watt-second. The product in the link below is the kind what I am looking for, any info about local availability is a big help.

Innovatronix Incorporated | Products

That is just a UPS optimised for delivering higher power in bursts, and at $450 is quite expensive. Why not try a good UPS

- If your acquaintances have a 1000-1500VA ups, you can try your strobes out for power and number of flashes
- If you have any UPS, try with your strobes and then decide what power is needed.
- Go to a UPS retailer, and test your rig with "Pure Sine Wave" UPS.

I have a 6 year old APC Smart1500 UPS that uses the same 2*7AH batteries and it lasts 15 min with 800VA load. The batteries are around 3K.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

What range do you need:

I would suggest following two:

1. AF-S DX VR 70-300mm

or

2. Replace your kit 18-55 with AF-S DX VR 18-105

I use the 70-300 VR, and its a fantastic lens. however, it costs 35k Approx with bill and warranty.

[aburagohain]

Originally Posted by Aroy

That is just a UPS optimised for delivering higher power in bursts, and at $450 is quite expensive. Why not try a good UPS.

Yes, that is an optimized inverter, no doubt, slightly elegant also and as such is commanding the price. There are others like the Vegabond range, tied to a particular brand though and with scary disclaimers..

As I understand from some amount of reading on the net, the power has to be clean, so a sine-wave inverter is a must. I came across one such mini inverter in a UK site which seems to be working good with a sealed battery for many people, the inverter is built for this kind of usage.
Portability is another factor, the list of equipment is never ending and weight is a big concern; as amateurs, we carry our own bags

Wish I had some way to reliably and safely test a home made solution, the risk to the pocket is high here

Thank you for your kind suggestions!

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

....I remember seeing a tripod in which one leg was removable and could be used as a monopod .....

Does it not become a 'dualpod' than a monopod in that case ?
Get a carbon fiber tripod without the lower center joint, you can use it in multiple ways. Monopod limits your freedom, unless your usage is very exclusive.

Originally Posted by Aroy

.....I have a 6 year old APC Smart1500 UPS that uses the same 2*7AH batteries and it lasts 15 min with 800VA load. The batteries are around 3K.

I think we both have a similar product. Mine is APC RS-1500 VA with two 7AH batteries, also have the extra battery tower. Had a plan to dispose it off, but I am holding it for good !

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I use the 70-300 VR, and its a fantastic lens. however, it costs 35k Approx with bill and warranty.

Oh has it gone up ? I had bought mine grey for 25k in 2010 and sold it later.

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I use the 70-300 VR, and its a fantastic lens. however, it costs 35k Approx with bill and warranty.

Tried the 70-300 vr but it does not match its hype. I found the Sigma APO DG better.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by shajufx

I think we both have a similar product. Mine is APC RS-1500 VA with two 7AH batteries, also have the extra battery tower. Had a plan to dispose it off, but I am holding it for good !

Mine is SmartUps 1500, and does not have provision for external batteries. I see no reason to get rid of the UPS. All that you have to do is to change the batteries every two years, which at 3K is much better than getting a new UPS.

My configurations is

Tyan MB with 2 x Xeon Quad Core, 1000W PS
8 GB Registered RAM
8 x HDD
2 x 24" LCD
1 x 19" LCD
1 x Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT card
Router and Wireless LAN

The load at full configuration is between 400VA and 700VA (depending on CPU and graphics load) and runs at least 15 min on new batteries and 7 min when the batteries get old.

[mukeshgoel]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I use the 70-300 VR, and its a fantastic lens. however, it costs 35k Approx with bill and warranty.

The current MRP is Rs.29,450/- and you get it for Rs.25,500/- with bill & warranty if you know the right places.

Nikon India Private Limited

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I use the 70-300 VR, and its a fantastic lens. however, it costs 35k Approx with bill and warranty.

I bought it for 25.5K INR with bill and warranty, 5 months back

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

I bought it for 25.5K INR with bill and warranty, 5 months back

My bad, I was confusing the price with 16-85 VR!

[shajufx]

Guys, there is a 55-300 for sale on JJ Mehta forum, looks like a good deal, seller is in Bangalore :
WTS - NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM f/4.5-5.6G ED VR LENS

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

My bad, I was confusing the price with 16-85 VR!

BTW I bought it last Saturday after I called you, for 32.5 K INR with B&W, fantastic lens for my requirement

Originally Posted by shajufx

Guys, there is a 55-300 for sale on JJ Mehta forum, looks like a good deal, seller is in Bangalore :
WTS - NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM f/4.5-5.6G ED VR LENS

Shaju feedback for 55-300 is not very good if you are specific on picture quality, though price wise its VFM

[mukeshgoel]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Guys, there is a 55-300 for sale on JJ Mehta forum, looks like a good deal, seller is in Bangalore :
WTS - NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM f/4.5-5.6G ED VR LENS

The price of a brand new Nikkor 55-300 VR in Delhi is 16k (Grey) and 17.5-18k with B&W. So it does not seem to be a good deal anyways.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

.....55-300 is not very good if you are specific on picture quality......

Rajiv, I have no clue about the lens, just thought of sharing the link when I saw someone selling it ! Dont be surprised if you can not see that ad tomorrow

Mukesh, dont bother about the price, one can always ask more than the market price, its upto the buyer to negotiate and get it within his pockets

[low_bass_makker]

One more thing the 55-300 is a DX lense and 70-300 FX lense (105-450 on DX) so there is a big difference between the two !!!

[asethi]

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

I have seen some deals online which offer Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens at around 54k. How good is that ?

Originally Posted by the VTEC guy

5. A brand new D90 is also available at Croma but its out of my budget (58k INR)

I got my D90 with 18-105 kit lens just a week back from eBay for 50800/- including free shipping!

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Negatives of the D90:
1. Discontinued

Discontinued from production, but still very much available worldwide. In fact, this can be a very good opportunity to get great discounts on the camera, which otherwise won't be offered!

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Negatives of the D90:
2. Not optimized for video shooting

D90 still shoots better video than many P&S cameras, and video still doesn't qualify as a major reason to select/reject a DSLR camera.