Looking for a cheaper SLR..

[ejoech]

I stopped by a local camera shop today to look at the N75 and the Rebel GII. N75 was MUCH better quality. GII felt like crap. Way too much cheap plastic. Since those were the only two in the running basically, I think I'm just going to get the N75. I'm pretty sure she'll love it but I'll make sure she understands if it doesn't feel right at all that we can return it and look at more.

My next question: I preferred the all black N75 from B&H..I asked the guy at the local camera shop if they carried those and he said no because they're imported..and only now do I see that on B&H heh. He also said it's not good to get them imported because Nikon has a service center ~20 minutes away from me and they won't service an imported camera.

What is your opinion on imported cameras?

[tijean]

If you are going with the N75, I would also suggest Overstock.com. They do accept returns and they had them in stock cheap today.

Correction: I just noticed that they are refurbished, which would be fine for yourself (especially from a company like Nikon), but I don't know if you want to go that way for a present. Your call, but worth a look.

As for imported ("graymarket') - different people have different thoughts and different companies have different policies, but what is really important to you is that Nikon will not touch an imported camera for love or money (quite literally). If you have a greymarket camera and it breaks, you will not be able to get even a quote for repair from Nikon and the only warrenty will be from B&H.

[Clemmie]

While I was getting a roll of film developed in Idaho this afternoon, I too happened to take a look at the N75 and Rebel G-II - at Wal-Mart!

I'd agree with you - the N75 is definitely the nicer one of the two.

The Wal-Mart pricing, at Mountain Home, Idaho, was $199 on the Nikon and $219 on the Canon, with lens.

[ejoech]

So I've decided on the Nikon N75. Check out

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ch&Q=*&shs=N75

For the black N75's it says that it's from USA. Who's right, B&H, or the local camera guy?

I'd prefer the black but silver & black will work. Should I go for the 28-80mm or 28-100mm lense?

[92135011]

How fast are the lenses? what "f" are they?

Plus the thing is that the more the zoom, the more the likelihood of distortions and such. Lens designs are typically best at fixed focal lengths. Varying it causes a whole load of problems.

[ejoech]

They're both f/3.5-5.6. Is this good enough for now? Just don't know to go 28-80 or 28-100..

[another view]

Check with Nikon before you take the other store's word for how or if they will service your camera. I know that you won't get any warranty work done, but thought I heard somewhere that you may be able to get a repair if you pay for it. I don't know for sure, and bottom line it's up to Nikon. There are also other places that can service Nikon gear, like one near Chicago. It used to be a factory service center but when Nikon closed it the people running it took it over. I haven't had anything done there (yet) but both inquiries were about the same price. Advantage is that they're probably faster. All that said, I stick with USA products for warranty reasons, especially for something as complex as a camera body.

A small local camera shop will go on the defensive when you bring up B&H. They will tell you anything to get a sale, that's how they make money! I've had local dealers that knew less about the equipment than I did try to tell me why I shouldn't buy from B&H for a lot less money. A good local camera shop can help you out with problems and questions but when dealing with a mail-order place you really need to know exactly what you want.

Either of the lenses should be fine. If you want to get into wierd stuff like available light concert photography or serious wildlife photography then you'll get other lenses. But in a lot of cases these will be just fine. Zoom lenses with a similar focal length range are available that are faster (better for low light shooting), constant aperture, faster to focus, more sturdy construction and less prone to flare or distortion. They also cost and weigh several times more... Actually, a Nikon 28-105 would be a good choice as a step up but that lens costs a bit more.

[truspartan]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I tried to find what I could before posting so I didn't get redundant on anything.

Has anyone had experience or could talk to the Minolta Maxxum 50 v. Canon Rebel K2? This will be our first 35mm SLR and are looking at the auto-"everything" but being able to possibly learn and investigate some on the unit as well. Can you recommend one above the other? Any reason NOT to get either of them? Is there another unit in the $200 range that would be a better choice?

Again, not looking to be a professional here, just want to be able to take good, crisp pictures rather than the ones we have been getting with our little P/S.

[Liz]

I used the Rebel 2K before I went digital. It's a wonderful camera. I got some great results from this camera - I sent you an email.

Liz

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I tried to find what I could before posting so I didn't get redundant on anything.

Has anyone had experience or could talk to the Minolta Maxxum 50 v. Canon Rebel K2? This will be our first 35mm SLR and are looking at the auto-"everything" but being able to possibly learn and investigate some on the unit as well. Can you recommend one above the other? Any reason NOT to get either of them? Is there another unit in the $200 range that would be a better choice?

Again, not looking to be a professional here, just want to be able to take good, crisp pictures rather than the ones we have been getting with our little P/S.