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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: jerue on Wed, 24 June 2015, 21:18:29

Title: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: jerue on Wed, 24 June 2015, 21:18:29
Nikon D3200 bundle for $299. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3200-24-2-MP-SLR-w-18-55-55-200-Lenses-Nikon-WU-1a-Adapter-Nikon-Case/331586279340?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d341517ac)

Comes with the following:

CAVEAT EMPTOR:

Still, for $300 it's not bad if you want the 55-200 for some up-close photography (ahem: your keyboards?  :D), but I'd rather use the 18-200.

Edit: changed last sentence.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 04 July 2015, 05:05:15
no, the refurbs that come out new jersey aren't gray market. everyone is trying to clear their d3200 inventory, and it seems there was a lot of it..

to be clear, what i mean is that one of the nikon service centers is in new jersey, and cameta, adorama a few other vendors purchase refurbished USA parts from nikon and sell them surplus for great prices. often these cameras have little to no use on them; they're customer returns or w/e

nikon USA no longer services _any_ gray market product, even if you pay them :eek:
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: VoteForDavid on Sat, 04 July 2015, 13:16:58
Those lenses are plastic outside, but the optics are a shocking value for the money even at regular retail price.  For the price of that lot, you get a *good* beginner's camera and two *good* lenses plus accessories.  If one is looking to get into photography and can spare it, this is a good lot to go for.  Note that if one distributor is looking to dump their generation-old kits, the rest will usually follow within a few months.

buydig is listed as an authorized distributor for Nikon and they seem to have a decent reputation but I've never dealt with them personally.  If you're worried about grey market gear, send them a message about this lot and ask if this is domestic or grey specifically.

http://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2437949#forum-post-29646854

What I have done is work at an ebay-focused company for a few years, and maintaining an ebay feedback rating in the high 99% range means some serious customer service action when there is a problem.  I've also purchased Nikon-refurbished equipment a couple of times and it's been like-new each time.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 04 July 2015, 15:42:36
buydig/beach camera are reliable (same company). and yah, kit lenses are fantastic. fun fact: they are plastic both inside and out. modern aspherical lenses and other fancy aberration reducing refractor designs are constructed by laying crystallized polymers on a much thinner glass substrate. the technology for producing these lens elements is so reliable now that these hybrid polymer/silica lenses outperform all but the most labor and time intense glass lens production.

to make something like the nikon 14-24mm, generally regarded as the best production compound lens in that focal range takes about a year to make from the initial molten silica pour to lens unit assembly.

in contrast, production of a kit lens probably takes about 30 minutes.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: ander on Sat, 04 July 2015, 23:50:28
Let's face it: This is a terrific deal. Any court in the land would agree.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 04 July 2015, 23:57:13
It's also long dead and was, for all intents and purposes, necroed after it was dead.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: mkawa on Sun, 05 July 2015, 01:45:06
ah, but there's a slightly better one!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3300-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-24-2-MP-Black-USA-/141316308136
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 05 July 2015, 02:39:49
I wouldn't call that a better deal when it doesn't have lenses and other accessories.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: mkawa on Sun, 05 July 2015, 08:49:48
oh, good point. well, you can pick up an 18-55 used for cheap-ish (going rate about 50$) (since 99% of the units on the used market will be brand new).
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: 1391406 on Sun, 05 July 2015, 22:32:53
Quote from: nubbinator on Sun, 05 July 2015, 02:39:49
I wouldn't call that a better deal when it doesn't have lenses and other accessories.

It's a damn good deal for a D3300.
Title: Re: Nikon D3200 bundle: $299 - includes 2 lenses, WiFi adapter, bag
Post by: 1391406 on Sun, 05 July 2015, 22:39:27
This seller (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3300-DSLR-Camera-Body-Only-USA-SELLER-NEW-/301240181373?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462350627d) is claiming the D3300's they're selling are new for $319 shipped.