Costco Offer on XSi: Can anyone advise me on the quality of these lenses.
77908
Amazon.com right now has the XSi + EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens for $640. Assuming the memory card is worth $10, then you are essentialy paying $150 for the EF 75-300mm lens. Of couse, paying sales tax at Costco will make the difference bigger. [update: I just checked: you can get the same lens for around $140 from Amazon] I once have the EF 75-300mm lens, but later upgraded to the EF 70-300mm USM IS lens. The image stabilization function is a big help if you need to shoot telephoto without a tripod. You may consider buying the EF-S 55-250mm IS lens ($270) instead, to complement the kit lens.
1820412
The 1.8 is similar in build quality to the kit lens--probably a slight bit below the XSI kit. If you're happy with the kit lens, you should be happy with the 1.8.There's a reason why 93% of the reviews here are 4 or 5 stars--this lens takes great pictures. For $80, what do you have to lose?
104803
I looked at shopcartusa.com, and most of the listings there seem very suspicious because: - Those offers are all from vendors I've never heard of before. - All vendors have perfect ratings (5 out of 5 starts). - Prices are ridiculously low ($200-300 for the Rebel XTi body). I can bet if you actually try to order the Rebel XTi for $200, you will be told that: 1. It does not come with US warranty 2. The price is for 'body only'. You have to pay $200 more for the rechargeable battery, charger, user manual and software. (even though those are all included in the original package) 3. You must also buy a 2GB memory for $200 to qualify for this low price. 4. Finaly, it is on back-order - unless you order the body with a 3rd-party lens and flash unit that add another $600 to your cost. So eventually, you'll end up paying over $1200 for a grey-market camera kit.
537013
TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the cards too. TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the... » Read More TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the cards too. « Show Less
1666071
I am not sure how you would "know" without believing it is as it is stated. I would say you should look locally to you. Visit reputable shops. Try it before you buy it! National Camera Exchange would warrant a sale of used gear. So would others. If the seller is a reputable dealer or good ratings and a return policy I would give it a try. The 70-200 f2.8 is a sweet lense! I love mine and could sell it now for more than I paid new for it!
245017
If it's from Amazon or Adorama (where I got mine) and I'm sure B&H; and other big US dealers, it will definitely NOT be gray-market. Great lens too btw.
243152
I'm down to just a few so I'll keep using them until they go the way of the others. Do you have a Costplus World Market near you? The one by me sells these glasses open stock so you can buy singles for just a couple of bucks. :)
51815
Personally I think the quality is really good! The frame was strong and the lens are glass. I can tell you for the price the are well above the quality most of the brands that you find in the sunglasses boutiques. However, the lens are not as good as the few that you will see with glass but for the money nothing below $100 will touch these!.......
137017
Honestly, there are some available on ebay with buyer protection (but I understand why you would want to get it from the above places instead). The 70-200mm is a great lens, but if you have your heart set on this particular lens you should wait to get this one :)I just ordered one from ebay but I did my research on the seller first.
563693
Not grey market. Brand new Tokina with 3-year warranty. This is definitely a Pro level lens. Big. Heavy. Durable. Mine came with a pretty good lens cover. Use it to protect the front element, as this lens will not take filters, much like the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. I'm a photojournalist, not a "pixel-peeker." In real-life image making, it's as sharp and robust as any Nikon or Canon lens I've ever used. Auto-focus not quite as fast or silent as a Nikon or Canon, but at this focal length range, those things aren't as crucial. Haven't missed any shots due to those issues. Highly recommended if you can't afford a Nikon or Canon equivalent. Not grey market. Brand new Tokina with 3-year warranty. This is definitely a Pro level lens. Big. Heavy. Durable. Mine came with a pretty good lens cover. Use it to protect the front element, as this lens will not take filters, much like the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. I'm a photojournalist, not a "pixel-peeker." In real-life image making, it's as sharp and robust as any Nikon or Canon lens I've ever used. Auto-focus not quite as fast or silent as a Nikon or Canon, but at this focal length range, those things aren't as crucial. Haven't missed any shots due to those issues. Highly... » Read More Not grey market. Brand new Tokina with 3-year warranty. This is definitely a Pro level lens. Big. Heavy. Durable. Mine came with a pretty good lens cover. Use it to protect the front element, as this lens will not take filters, much like the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. I'm a photojournalist, not a "pixel-peeker." In real-life image making, it's as sharp and robust as any Nikon or Canon lens I've ever used. Auto-focus not quite as fast or silent as a Nikon or Canon, but at this focal length range, those things aren't as crucial. Haven't missed any shots due to those issues. Highly recommended if you can't afford a Nikon or Canon equivalent. « Show Less
590910
as TomDiego said above Amazon's deal is much better than Costco's. Costco you get the camera, the 18-55mm IS lens, 50-200mm IS lens the bag, and an SD card for $850. Amazon you can get the camera, both lenses, the bag and UV filter lens for $800 with free shipping and no sales tax.
282858
The bundle from Costco is a great bundle that is on sale for $1049 until I believe July 27th. It comes with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm lens, wifi adaptor(let's u send pictures straight to ur iPhone after u download an app), Nikon bag, and 16 gb memory card. I got it for my wife, a first time DSLR user, and she loves it. Here's the website:http://m.costco.com/Nikon-D5200-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100032348.html
694971
Those lenses are pretty much toys, you can use them to make photos which will have a black border around the subject of your pictures. I would not worry about it too much though. The good things on this kit are the extra lens 55-210mm, the SD card, the charger, the remote shutter, the bag and the lens filters, one which already saved my lenses once. In short, the Zeikos lenses should not be the reason why you are buying these.
577289
Two of their lenses are 100%, the least expensive ones offer 99% according to their website. I can tell you that they are more than sufficient; I have no problem with the glasses. They're the best I've had in a long, long time.
678437
Holly if you ever need something on short notice, I've used a website called BorrowLenses dot com several times and absolutely LOVE them!! SUPER reasonable and a good source to try something out first before you buy. I rented both my 70mm-200mm 2.8 and my 300mm 2.8 canon L series lenses from them from them before I bought them here on Amazon.
2218321
For me it is simply about the good ISO performance and the x-trans sensor. As an owner of a x100s I am familiar with the quality of the x-trans sensor files and there is something special there. Combo that with the good AF, the great EVF, easy access to all the manual settings, and the really good quality lenses, and you've got a winner.
848890
Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light... » Read More Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. « Show Less