[R2D2]

Originally Posted by manim

Just received my new prime lens!

Congrats. You cannot go wrong with the 35mm 1.8G. A great VFM lens that you can literally permanently mount on your camera. One of my cameras takes a 50mm/35mm and the other takes a 24-70. These are my most used focal lengths.

Originally Posted by Sawyer

Much better than the 3 and 5 bodies - the FX bodies are of course a further step better. I don't find a great difference between its VF and the EVF on the X100.

Of course it will be better than the 3 and 5 series bodies. It has a pentaprism VF with 100% coverage. Makes a big difference when compared with a 3/5 series camera's pentamirror OVF with 95% coverage

Originally Posted by Sawyer

The nice thing about the X100/XE1 also is that they looks like precision instruments, not a weapon of self defense as the 7000 can look like.

Yes, Fuji X mount cameras are very well made, as they proudly say in Japan to maintain the quality. Compared to them all Nikon DSLRs look huge.

[dkaile]

I am planning a Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 40mm f/2.8 lens for my Macro and General potrait/landscape photography needs. Is this a good lens compared to the general 35mm f/1.8? Are there any good and cheaper substitutes available as I am getting this lens for approx. 14K.

PS- I already have the 18-105 VR lens I got in kit but that is not great for macros and sharp portraits.

[null]

Originally Posted by adc

I just assisted yesterday one of my good friend for a buy on Nikon 5200 here in Kolkata. A fantastic camera by itself and among other features, high ISO picture quality is really good.

He bought nikon d5200 [body only] for Rs 34,200 here from a camera shop.

Online if you are looking for a great deal with kit, it is on right now at Rs 37,727 - and just 2 more units are available.

http://www.ebay.in/itm/121153031918

@adc: Hi, Is it a good idea to buy it from ebay.in? i.e., from unauthorised dealers of Nikon India? Do we face any issues with support? It is mentioned that the product is covered by manufacturer warranty. Anything that we should be worried about? Would you know? Thanks

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by dkaile

I am planning a Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 40mm f/2.8 lens for my Macro and General potrait/landscape photography needs. Is this a good lens compared to the general 35mm f/1.8? Are there any good and cheaper substitutes available as I am getting this lens for approx. 14K.

PS- I already have the 18-105 VR lens I got in kit but that is not great for macros and sharp portraits.

In my experience AF is neither necessary, nor desirable for purely macro photography. The DOF is so shallow that manual focus is normally required. Depending on the object to be shot, a longer macro lens is preferred, so an 80mm macro on a DX will be ideal. A second hand manual focus macro lens would be the best buy.
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manu...10200058N?r=FE
or
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manu...10200791N?r=FE

For landscape you will need a wider lens. As 28mm is popular in FX, for DX an 18mm will be the right one.

Sharp portraits require a good lens and they do not come cheap. In FX 85mm and 105mm f2.8 or better are preferred lenses. In your case the zoom if focused properly and shot at f8 or lower will give excellent results.

In comparison to 18-105 the 35 f1.8 is better but not by much. If you want an excellent portrait lens go for the 85mm f1.8g

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Len...camera3%29/628

For getting an idea of the lens performance, go to the dxomark site and compare various combinations with different camera bodies. This will not only give you an idea of their quality but enable you find out the optimum price-quality combination

[adc]

Originally Posted by null

@adc: Hi, Is it a good idea to buy it from ebay.in? i.e., from unauthorised dealers of Nikon India? Do we face any issues with support? It is mentioned that the product is covered by manufacturer warranty. Anything that we should be worried about? Would you know? Thanks

As far as I know: These are retailers, they are selling having bought that product from authorized dealers. It is clearly mentioned in that there is a Nikon India 2 year warranty.

Similarly the friend whom I assisted on Monday in buying the Nikon D5200 - the camera was bought from a small shop located in a bylane. He is just a retailer/re-seller, he bought it from an authorized Nikon dealer/wholesaler and re-selling the product - that Nikon India 2-yr warranty card was there in the box and thus it had a valid warranty.

Similarly in the ebay listing, most probably this is a one-time promotional sale where ebay is foregoing its commission and as such the competitive price from that online reseller

The benefit my friend got it from buying such a small shop/reseller, was that they absorb the VAT and some part of the margin, otherwise, a Nikon D5200 body at Rs 34,200 is a great price - was not available at any authorized dealer shop.

BTW, you can also directly ask the reseller about its warranty status through the ebay "Ask a question" link. Also seeing that particular listing has ended, it was definitely a very good price to have.

[null]

Originally Posted by adc

..
BTW, you can also directly ask the reseller about its warranty status through the ebay "Ask a question" link. Also seeing that particular listing has ended, it was definitely a very good price to have.

Thanks ADC for your inputs. Got my queries answered & placed an order this morning. No coupons unfortunately (I should not be too greedy). I am hoping to receive it early next week.

Was caught in the nikon/canon debate all this while & kept postponing the decision. Canon 550D and then 600D was more or less finalized but with my mind suggesting to look at Nikon 3100/5100 and finally jumped into buying this one today without thinking any further. I am keen on doing indoor / portrait / full size pictures. Will play a bit with this for some time. Hope to gain some skills, lighting etc & then go for a 50mm prime.

[adc]

Originally Posted by null

Thanks ADC for your inputs. Got my queries answered & placed an order this morning. No coupons unfortunately (I should not be too greedy). I am hoping to receive it early next week.

Fantastic, and as I see that offer is back on Nikon d5200 with kit lens - and again with that same great offer price of Rs 37,727.

Even without coupons this is a hard to beat offer as of today.

Was caught in the nikon/canon debate all this while & kept postponing the decision. Canon 550D and then 600D was more or less finalized but with my mind suggesting to look at Nikon 3100/5100 and finally jumped into buying this one today without thinking any further. I am keen on doing indoor / portrait / full size pictures. Will play a bit with this for some time. Hope to gain some skills, lighting etc & then go for a 50mm prime.

I have a canon 60D and this nikon d5200 is great performer and beats the canons out with low light performance. But the canon with Magic lantern again opens up many possibilities - but that is mostly video and have just stated exploring more about it.

[sandeepmdas]

I picked up a Nikon D3200 with 18-55 kit lens yesterday from the Babas DSLR Zone in Trivandrum. The damage is Rs 30,100 including a Nikon NC filter. It was a very friendly and smooth buying experience for me and family. The friendly and knowledgeable salesmen engaged us very well despite 2 other parties - read families- also buying DSLRs. 2 D3200s and a Canon DSLR were billed out in 30 minutes and all 3 of us walked out from the shop with satisfied smiles.

I am in no way connected to the Babas folks, but let me recommend the shop very high.

[civ4647]

Hello,

Original kit :-

Canon EOS 450D
Canon 18-55 EF-S kit lens
Canon 28-200 EF lens
Canon 60mm EF-S Macro lens
Canon 50mm F1.4 EF lens
Canon 430 EX II flash
Some no name tripod.

Current kit :-

Canon 1DX
Canon 24-105 F4 lens
Canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6 zoom
Canon MP-E 65mm Macro
Canon 50mm F1.4 EF lens
Sigma 12-24 F3.5-5.6 Ultra Wide
Canon 430 EX II flash
Manfrotto 190XPROB with 804RC2 Head tripod.

Attaching a few photos taken over the years.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by civ4647

Current kit :-
Attaching a few photos taken over the years.

Nice kit!

I like #s 2, 3 & 6. They are probably old photos?

[nilanjanray]

So, I have been waiting for the D400 ( with D7100 as the backup buy option if the D400 doesn't materialize). I would buy the camera primarily for wildlife. But recently I have started shooting landscapes too, and am enjoying it. So am wondering whether D800E is worth seriously considering. I could still get 6fps in DX mode, and 15.6 MP files. AF is brilliant. And unmatched landscape iq.

Vs. a DX king that would be better for wildlife but somewhat inferior for other nature photos where reach is not important.

The 500px link on my profile will give an idea about what kind of photos I like taking.

Just musing aloud

[ampere]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

So am wondering whether D800E is worth seriously considering. I could still get 6fps in DX mode, and 15.6 MP files. AF is brilliant. And unmatched landscape iq.

Very true. An very good entry level full frame makes a good case for the next level of advancement for portraits/landscapes etc. But a pro-body based APS-C camera from a wildlife point of view also makes sense. Need to optimise against the two needs as to which is more dominant.

For me its very clear. An good full-frame in future.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

So am wondering whether D800E is worth seriously considering. I could still get 6fps in DX mode, and 15.6 MP files. AF is brilliant. And unmatched landscape iq.

There are very few reasons to regret an FX camera purchase other than the initial financial outlay on the body and appropriate lenses. Swing the finances & you are in gear nirvana.

I waited for a full frame sensor for many years before shifting from film to digital. For me there are no regrets giving DX a complete skip.

Get the D800E and forget about upgrading for years.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Get the D800E and forget about upgrading for years.

Very true. I was looking at similar thoughts. (But on the Canon side). Of course have all the time in the world. Perfectly OK with my current 550D.

Thought process is that the difference between 6D and 5D-MKIII is huge (and so is the price too). I some how felt 5D MK-II would have been better than 6D.

From that point of view I did not see a compelling reason for 6D.

[Gandhi]

Some great news for Pentax users in India. The Ricoh India business head reached out to some Pentax users on pentaxforums.com about their India plans.

I am heading the Camera Division of Ricoh India Ltd. Pentax & Ricoh range of camera's & binoculars would be launched by us very soon. Am very glad to see a avid PENTAX User & would like to connect with you to share our India plans.
Do let me know your contact no.

Thanks & Regards

A user also spoke with him personally. They are going to launch all camera bodies and some lenses in the first batch. They will have service centers in all 4 metros and Bangalore.

With K-500 and K-50 DSLRs and now finally launching in India, Ricoh seems to be on right track reviving Pentax .