Almost October, 2015....should I buy the D5500 now, or will there be discounts anytime soon???

cincyspider

Are these ever discounted? Or should I just buy now?

Many thanks!!

NSXTypeR

Based solely off the buyer's guide on the blog front page, the D5500 is listed as buy now.

Earlier I think Nikon had lens discounts with purchases of camera bodies, although I am not as familiar now as I used to be with camera prices.

Edit- B and H has rebates with the D5500 purchase along with a lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/10384/nikon-buy-together-and-save.html

For an all round good kit, I would say get it with the 18-140 VR, you'd get a lens with a decent zoom range. In total, that's around a $1050 kit, after tax.

Or, you could get it with the 18-55 for around $850.

The promotions end on 10/3

Either way, I don't suggest waiting to purchase a DSLR, especially if you need it for an event. Camera bodies aren't worth anything after 1 or 2 new camera generations, it's better to have the camera and to start learning than to regret not having it for a photo shoot.

Remember to share your photos with us!

cincyspider

TYVM!! I'm actually looking for the bundle including the 18-55 and the 55-300 which currently funs at $1100 at Best Buy. It's the same elsewhere except for 42nd St. Just ordered my memory card so I guess I need the camera now to go with it! LOL.

spraynpray

The 55-300 is a lens from what the other members say, NSXTypeR's advice to get it with the 18-140 is your best bet then if you find you need longer, research here before buying so you get the right long lens.

HTH.

tcole1983

Get it refurbished with 18-55 for $650 and buy whatever longer lens you want and come out ahead still. http://www.adorama.com/INKD5500BKR.html

tcole1983

Get it refurbished with 18-55 for $650 and buy whatever longer lens you want and come out ahead still. http://www.adorama.com/INKD5500BKR.html

Ok seriously though...don't buy a kit just to buy the kit. You will be happier with a body only or body and the 18-55 if you can't find the body only and then buying a different lens separate. You could always sell the 18-55 too which you will probably net like $50...bringing the body only down to $600....so still gives you $500 to buy lenses. For just a little more you could add this lens http://www.adorama.com/NK24120R.html and keep the 18-55. There are lots of options though if you don't get the two lens kit for $1100.

And don't worry about refurbished...they are great and like new. You also always have the option of sending it back where you purchased it or sending it to Nikon within 90 days and they will make it right.

For reference if you get the $650 deal and want the 55-300 you can get it for $200 http://www.adorama.com/NK55300VRR.html and be at $850. Would leave enough for say the 35 F1.8.

Shop around and look around...you can find just about any Nikon lens you want refurbished for a decent discount in most cases.

cincyspider

I am totally confused now. Guess I am leaning towards the package with the 18-140 kit lens at around $1040. Also investigating the Tamron 70-300. Have seen the Tamron for under $160...but also for around $450. Confusing. To be clear, I am an amateur here...mostly doing family stuff but like the ability to get close in as I really like capturing facial expressions and all. Really appreciate the feedback and recos here!
I am sort of "bound" to spend $1000 at Best Buy as I've converted my credit card points to BB gift cards. ugh! At BB, the body only is $750 and with the 18-55 is $847 and with the 18-140 is $1047

Ironheart

You will be happier with the 18-140, the 24-120 is an FX lens and 24mm is an awkward point to switch lenses for DX. The 18-55 kit lens is a great lens, and the new VRII will actually net you more like $100, as they are going for $250 new.
Then you can take your time to think about the long end, or perhaps a superzoom 18-300 do-it-all. Either way if you pick up the 18-140 used or refurb, you will loose little to nothing on the resale.
FWIW, I do this with cars all the time. I buy a 1-2 year old car, almost 1/2 the price, and when I sell it a few years later, I get almost what I paid for it. Don't get me wrong, I still love, and buy, new cars occasionally, but from a business sense the lightly used is a great deal.
For my camera gear, I am mostly new, but I have picked up a few deals on refurb/lightly used lenses. To me the lenses are so tough and well-made that unless there is obvious signs of external abuse, you are likely going to be just fine. Also I only buy used from reputable sources with solid return policies. This makes the risk virtually zero.

cincyspider

Thank you!! Also looking at the Sigma 17-70 to pair with the 18-140. Haven't seen any refurbs on it yet, but will keep looking! 42nd St. has it for $359 which is about 50 less than anywhere else. I like what people have said on here about the 17-70!

Ironheart

I would pair the 70-300 or the 70-200 f/4 with the 17-70, too much overlap with the 18-140.

BVS

To be clear, I am an amateur here...mostly doing family stuff but like the ability to get close in as I really like capturing facial expressions and all.

What sort of family stuff? Kids? How old? Indoor or outdoor or both?

For general outdoors stuff - family outings, playground, etc. the 18-140 is a good bet. It's just wide enough and long enough to cover most situations. Just pop this one lens on and you're good to go. Having a do-all lens is great with kids. They can be unpredictable, and if you're having to swap lenses in the middle of the action chances are you just missed something.

If you're going to be far away from your subjects (e.g. shooting kids playing sports from the sidelines/bleachers, or shooting animals at the zoo) you may also want something longer like, the 55-300 or 70-300. The 70-300 is bigger and heavier than the 55-300 but should have quicker focusing.

If you're going to be shooting indoors or other low-light situations, I would also pick up the 35 1.8 DX and/or the 50 1.8. The 35 is good for general purpose and the 50 is better for portraits. Both can be had for $170 or less each if you buy refurb ones. Also strongly consider getting a decent flash like the SB-700. This will allow you to bounce flash and get better/softer lighting and shadows than using the pop-up flash.

NSXTypeR

I like to minimize lens swaps as much as I can- the 18-55 will not give a long zoom range, and I like having a decent zoom range. The 18-140 will give you a good zoom range at a reasonable price. I personally prefer the 18-140, as I have an 18-135 (discontinued now).

Depending whether you have the budget to spring or not, I would say get the best kit you can get now, which would be the D5500 with the 18-140.

Different people have different opinions, you should choose the kit that best suits you. If possible, you should try it out at a camera store so you can check if you like the size. There are always trade offs- the 18-140 is a better built lens, but is bigger and heavier than the 18-55. You get a smaller package with the 18-55 and poorer focus control and is lighter though.

cincyspider

Yea...that's why I was interested possibly in the Sigma 17-70 as well as the 18-140. Though it overlaps, I could see the 17-70 as a lens to carry on outings and the like, while the 18-140 would be great at home where actually carrying it around wouldn't be as burdensome. Then if I really miss having the bigger zoom...perhaps later getting the Tamron 70-300. My old camera was a Canon(now proudly owned by some Italian cab driver!) and I had a midrange on it, and a 35-70 and 70-210 as well.

tcole1983

If you are limited to best buy there might be discounts coming up during the holidays. Or if you just have partial funds to best buy get the body combo there and lenses elsewhere. I didn't mean to steer in the direction of any certain lens...was more pointing out refurbished deals and the cost savings.

BVS

I could see the 17-70 as a lens to carry on outings and the like, while the 18-140 would be great at home where actually carrying it around wouldn't be as burdensome.

The difference in weight is less than 1oz. The Sigma is a little wider, and the Nikon is about 1/2 inch longer. The burden is essentially the same.

I'd think the Sigma would be more useful around the house where your more likely to be indoors and the faster aperture would be put to good use, and the Nikon would be more useful on outings where you need the more flexible zoom range.

cincyspider

wish there were a place near me that had all these lenses to look at! And yes, while I'm pretty much tied to Best Buy...I will definitely be looking for refurbs! Are there watchouts when buying from 42nd St Photo or places like eglobalcentral.com? They have pretty decent prices

cincyspider

I think i'm sold on getting the camera body and 18-140 lens (I think!!) to start with...from BB. Then I can decide what lens next and from where, etc. I didn't want to wait as long as "black friday" for a deal....but if anyone knew of any promos that were due in the next couple weeks I would wait. Asking BB never produces anything but a shrug. I have no idea if there were any "fall" promos last year...

tcole1983

Avoid 42nd street photography and well any too good to be true places. Heard bad things about bait and switch tactics of some of those places. One thing that might be worth it is getting best buy to price match if you find anywhere cheaper.

BVS

wish there were a place near me that had all these lenses to look at!

Do you have a BB nearby? If so, the 5500 should be on display. They'll probably have the 18-55 attached to it. If not, the 3300 should definitely have it. The 18-140 will probably be attached to the 7200 on display. They also typically have common lenses like the 70-300 available to see in-store as well.

cincyspider

Went to BB...you were absolutely correct about which cameras would have which lenses on them! LOL But because of their idiotic security, you can't put the 18-140 lens ON the D5500. Oh well. I like the lens though it's a bit larger than I would have liked to use as an everyday kinda thing. Also found out that BB has packages of equipment sold by 3rd party...but I can use my BB gift cards for them. There is one fulfilled by Cameta camera...it includes the 18-140 and the Tamron 70-300, and then a bunch of junk like a cheap flash, filters, bag, cleaning kit, extra battery, 32 gig memory, remote for the camera, etc....all for $1220. That's $170 more than BB sells the camera and 18-140. So I get the Tamron that I could get for $155 elsewhere, and the other stuff. Doesn't sound like a bad deal. Anyone done business with Cameta?

BVS

Edit: I think I found your package.

Is that the VR version of the Tamron? The Tamron is the non-VR one. It's up to you, but if you're going to be hand holding the camera I think you'll really want VR at 300mm.

The flash could be useful if you don't have one. Do you know which one it is?
The flash is just a basic flash and doesn't do TTL. TTL means that the camera will adjust the output of the flash automatically so you get the correct exposure. Without it you'll have to adjust the output manually which will probably be more trouble than it's worth.

I actually still use the extra battery, memory card, and bag that came with my camera. Those cheapo Lowepro bags are nice and light.

The free filters are usually crap though.

cincyspider

Thanks BVS. I guess I always thought the Vivitar lenses were good. What brand should I look for on filters?

tcole1983

Thanks BVS. I guess I always thought the Vivitar lenses were good. What brand should I look for on filters?

Cameta is fine. I have purchased stuff from them. Probably not worth it IMO. The non-VR tamron isn't stellar. And you can get the Nikon VR version for a decent price. For filters...you don't need it. They are going to run you over $50 for decent ones and even then they won't be great. You are better off spending your money elsewhere. If you invest in expensive glass at some point and want them for protection or whatever then dig in later, but you don't need them.

cincyspider

Done deal! I just went to BB and ordered the D5500 (red) with the 18-140 lens. I was on the fence whether to get the package that included the 55-300 lens, but in the end, I am pretty sure I can get that lens somewhere else for less than the upgrade price. The set with the 18-140 lens was $1050 and with the addition of the 55-300, it was $1300 so $250 extra for the 55-300. I am pretty sure I can get it for that elsewhere by itself, and even saw a refurb on Ebay for 215. So lenses I will be considering are the 55-300 and either the 50 or 35. My purchase should arrive by Wed next week!! woohoo! Oh, and I also got BB to throw in a lens cap keeper, and the little shutter remote! So I did save a couple bucks from their listed price.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your help! Shopping for this stuff is kind of like being a kid in the proverbial candy shop!

Ironheart

Great choice! I'm glad you held off on the 55-300, the 70-300 is a better choice, even though twice the price. Perhaps you can save up for it. See this thread:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/3084/purchase-nikon-s-70-300-mm-lens

Go take a bunch of pictures!

NSXTypeR

You made the choice I would have made haha. I started off on a D40 with a 18-135 back in 2008. Enjoy shooting!

To be very honest, I haven't heard too many things about the Tamron 70-300. Not saying it's a bad lens, I can't say I've heard people saying that it's good either.

Remember to share your photos!