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AlexT
Lurker
Joined: May 05, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
Jan 07, 2007 - 01:33 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Where to buy a pro camera |
Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy a pro camera today (probably a Nikon D80 or D200).
Which shop can I trust for a reasonable price and good after sales support/service?
How much should I be looking to pay for these?
Cheers,
Alex |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 07, 2007 - 02:36 PM |
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Lu Wan Xing Guang photo equipment mall
(288?) Luban Lu / Xietu Lu
It's close to the Lupu bridge in the Luwan District.
It very large, right on the corner,
and hard to miss.
They'll have everything you'll want.
It's THE place to go. |
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visit my flickr page |
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AlexT
Lurker
Joined: May 05, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Jan 07, 2007 - 02:38 PM |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 07, 2007 - 02:53 PM |
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Thought I'd add that, as far as I know,
there's no 'after sales support/service' from the stores.
You have to deal directly with Nikon or Canon
or whatever brand you buy.
I could be wrong...but that's what I understood with my recent purchase.
They often give you a price for the product with a receipt
and a different, lower price, for the same product with no receipt. |
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B74A
Talker
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Used to be SH, now kind of everywhere except SH!
Status: Offline
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Jan 07, 2007 - 05:20 PM |
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So, what did you buy? I am into Canon, low end SLR range (EOS 400 / Rebel XTi).
LifeMage, just added you to my Flickr  Not so active there, though, mainly on www.dpchallenge.com ... |
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AlexT
Lurker
Joined: May 05, 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Jan 07, 2007 - 05:27 PM |
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Haven't bought anything yet, was reading a review about D80 vs D200 and suddenly got scared wondering if I should be considering the Canons that fall in between the two...
Any thoughts? |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 07, 2007 - 08:58 PM |
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I bought the Canon 400D.
My last two cameras were Canon and I stuck with that.
Quite happy with it so far.
Pretty much all the shops at the place I mentioned above,
gave the same opening price for the 400D at 5450RMB
(for the body, without kit lens).
I'd go in and check out your different options. Hold them in your hands.
Maybe even take in a CF card and take a few shots.
The 400D is pretty small as far as dslr's go,
so people complain about that. Others think it's a bonus.
I basically got the best equipment I could within my price-range.
With more money I'd end up with a very different setup.
I think it's important to put as much (or more) attention
and money into the lens/lenses you buy.
good luck.
And really...you can't go wrong with any of those choices. |
_________________
visit my flickr page |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 07, 2007 - 09:05 PM |
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cool B74A,
I'm going to check out your photostream right now.
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rolento
Raver
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 379
Location: paperbag
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 08, 2007 - 06:12 AM |
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| Post subject: Re: Where to buy a pro camera |
| AlexT wrote: |
Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy a pro camera today (probably a Nikon D80 or D200).
Which shop can I trust for a reasonable price and good after sales support/service?
How much should I be looking to pay for these?
Cheers,
Alex |
Nikon D80 and D200 are not pro cameras... |
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shanghaiceltic
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7588
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 07:26 AM |
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Though I did not buy the camera here, I also bought an EOS400D and I am really pleased with it. I can also use the lenses from my older 35mm Cannon too.
It is light but the improvements and with the large LCD screen it is very easy to use. The software bundle with it is very good too, though I still also use an Adobe CS2 bundle.
While not being a pro photographer I do like the SLR format with all the features they pack in. I use it quite a bit for business where I need good shots of installed equipment or installations that have problems. |
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I have parrallel bars at home, one for gin and one for whiskey |
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Globus
Barker
Joined: Oct 18, 2006
Posts: 145
Location: Puxi
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 09:36 AM |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 08, 2007 - 10:14 AM |
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| Post subject: Re: Where to buy a pro camera |
| rolento wrote: |
| Nikon D80 and D200 are not pro cameras... |
I thought the D200 was generally thought to be?
What does it lack that a 'pro' camera should have? |
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dfoo
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:34 AM |
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My friend is a professional (in that he does and has done for quite some time photography for money) and he currently uses a 400XTi. Isn't Ken Rockwell a pro also (http://www.kenrockwell.com)? He thinks the D200 is a pretty sweet camera  So Rolento what do you think a "pro" camera is? |
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kenkingdotcom
Reacher
Joined: Jan 08, 2006
Posts: 295
Location: No Longer Shanghai'd
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:41 AM |
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The D200 is not a "pro" camera, it's a "consumer" model. They have the D2x for that purpose.
You can read about all the nice little details at the Nikon website.
I play with a silly little D50. |
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I NEED MY SIG SAUER! Native San Franciscan... back in the mudderland. |
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kenkingdotcom
Reacher
Joined: Jan 08, 2006
Posts: 295
Location: No Longer Shanghai'd
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:45 AM |
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| dfoo wrote: |
| My friend is a professional (in that he does and has done for quite some time photography for money) and he currently uses a 400XTi. Isn't Ken Rockwell a pro also (http://www.kenrockwell.com)? He thinks the D200 is a pretty sweet camera So Rolento what do you think a "pro" camera is? |
Just because a "pro" uses in his field, doesn't qualify it as a "pro" camera
If you had read Ken Rockwell's articles (which I used to do religiously), he has pointed out the differences between the D200 and the D2X (pro series). |
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I NEED MY SIG SAUER! Native San Franciscan... back in the mudderland. |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:49 AM |
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We all know what the original poster meant.
Really the cameras he mentioned,
as well as the other cameras mentioned in this thread
are called "prosumer" dslr's. It has nothing to do with
if the camera is being used by a pro or not.
It separates the cheaper "prosumer" cameras
from the better constructed "pro" cameras.
"By far the most important and noticeable features are the distinct structural differences between prosumer and pro cameras. Canon's professional 1D series DSLRs have stronger metal bodies, and are heavily sealed against elements like water and dust. Rain or splash of water won't hurt, nor will sand or dirt. Bring any of these elements to a cheaper model, and they'll likely short out or mechanical parts will get bogged down. There are usually several other features on pro cameras, like processing tweaks, higher firing speeds,and even multiple memory card slots." |
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dfoo
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 08, 2007 - 11:53 AM |
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Ok, so the core difference is $2000 or so |
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LifeMage
FooSlinger
Joined: Sep 30, 2005
Posts: 3937
Location: In the world...... but not of it.
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:54 AM |
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didn't see your posts kenkingdotcom
before I pressed submit.
sorry to repeat some of what you said. |
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BaoLe
Raver
Joined: Aug 13, 2005
Posts: 493
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Jan 08, 2007 - 11:58 AM |
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It's what you use it's how you use it that makes all the difference. |
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www.derryckmenere.com |
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andyfff
Rocker
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 680
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 01:15 PM |
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I have owned Nikon cameras for more than 20 years now, I started with an 8008, moved on to a N90, F5, F100, F6, and I just got an D80. I was a wedding photographer in the states, so I guess that makes me a "pro" even though some of the cameras were not considered "professional" models. In my experience, a lot of the cameras considered professional have lots of features that most non-pros do not use. I never used 80% of the features on my F5 or F6, but I did use those 20% a lot - autofocus speed, frames per second, flash sync speed, etc. Also I dropped my cameras every so often, so they had to be rugged or I would not use them.
The D80 and the D200 have the same electronics inside, I think the D200 has more bells and whistles but they both shoot 10 megapixel photos. If you need any of the features that the D200 has but the D80 does not, it is an easy choice to make. The only thing that has me freaked about the D80 is how light it is! All my lenses are twice as heavy as the camera, so it is strange getting used to holding the thing. But the photos look great, I am happy with it. |
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travelinjack3
FooJay
Joined: Sep 19, 2005
Posts: 1710
Location: Right Bank
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 01:16 PM |
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A friend of mine with a D70 just bought a nice lens on Chang Yang Lu near Jiang Pu Lu for a couple of hundred bucks less than the best price in the states. The price was also better than those at Luban Lu. |
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If the billy goat was Bootsie and the troll was Maceo, then only the Godfather of Soul can really take you to the bridge. |
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beautiful_mind0905
Board Lord
Joined: June 18, 2006
Posts: 5631
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 01:25 PM |
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When I was looking to buy a digital SLR camera, I was tossing between Canon and Nikon. I ended up buying a Canon because their digital technology is much more advanced than Nikon's.
I have a Canon EOS 350D, which is the older version of Canon EOS 400D. It is a great camera and you have access to a whole range of Canon lenses. |
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Women are the ones who maintain the world while men throw it into disarray with their historic brutality. |
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shanghaiceltic
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7588
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 08, 2007 - 01:54 PM |
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I bought mine in the UK we could get GBP85 back as a VAT return. The full price was GBP499 plus I spent a further GBP60 on a 1G memory card. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
Status: Offline
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Jan 08, 2007 - 05:52 PM |
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Any of the experienced photographers here got any comments on the 18-200mm VR lens from Canon?
I'm not much of a photographer but on my last holiday I realized I could have taken way better photos with a more versatile lens. I'm not into carrying heaps of gear so this lens looks like a good solution - if a little pricey. Anyone used it? The reviews on the web seemed a little mixed. |
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rolento
Raver
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 379
Location: paperbag
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 08, 2007 - 06:14 PM |
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| kenkingdotcom wrote: |
| dfoo wrote: |
| My friend is a professional (in that he does and has done for quite some time photography for money) and he currently uses a 400XTi. Isn't Ken Rockwell a pro also (http://www.kenrockwell.com)? He thinks the D200 is a pretty sweet camera So Rolento what do you think a "pro" camera is? |
Just because a "pro" uses in his field, doesn't qualify it as a "pro" camera
If you had read Ken Rockwell's articles (which I used to do religiously), he has pointed out the differences between the D200 and the D2X (pro series). |
First of all, I totally agree with Baole that it's the person and not the camera that makes the picture good.
However, when you mention "pro", it should at least possesses
1) Lower probability of breaking down when your clients, models, make up artist are with you in a location that is secured by cash/ hour basis. I am not saying that the D200 WILL break down and the USD8000 camera WILL NOT break down, its about which one is more likely and less likely to break down
2) image quality and noise levels. again, its up to your likings, some people actually prefer noisy pictures. but if you are as a pain in the ass as me, i would prefer to add in noise in post than to try to remove them in post.
3) Enlargement capability and tonal range. AGAIN, its up to your liking, but a pro camera should allow you to "remove" tones than to let you add tones yourself (which look fake)
to sum it up, of coz its the person more than the machine, but when the person has out of the world ideas, the client has out of the world demands, the machine should not limit the person.
eg. low flash syn, you need more powerful flash to fill in on a very very bright day. you end up bringing heavier lights...just one example to spare you guys the long boring story.
by the way, i was a nikon user since i shot my first picture, only till last year i switch to canon because of "pro" reasons. if you ask around many pros, you will realize nikon not using full frame sensors is a big disappointment to many pros i know. |
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