Buying my first DSLR in a few days, shop recommendations needed>>>

[felixcat8888]

How much is the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8? Sometimes I see 2.8 it means I cannot afford. :cry: But some say better pain once than pain twice.
about SGD$650

Can I have the address and contact of serial snapper and Oracle? They are not on the recommended list? I was thinking of getting everything at one shop, but if I can save more buy splitting my purchases I will, this means I can stretch my budget more.
for these 2 gents must go to Mass order thread

It is really confusing, I really hope there is a clearer or more updated price list. I guess thats the learning curve a newbie must take.
price list on sticky in newbie thread

Today I done some shopping (asking for quotations) at TK, CP, John316, and also called MS, MS did not give good price. (maybe I call instead of go) MS and John316 were most friendly and comfortable to work with.
ask fo e-quoteeeee and bring it down when you are ready to buy. But only valid for 1 week

Here are the quotes:

D80 with 18-135mm +SB600 +4GB + Bag TK $1680 MS $1750 CP $1690 (CP add a tripod too)
Same package above but without SB600 is $1520 at John316, to bundle with 18-70m f3.5-4.5 is $1680, 18-70mm alone is $480, SB600 is $350.

50mm f1.8 TK $180 CP $175 MS $180 John316 $180

Sigma 30 f1.4 TK $720, CP$740, MS$750, John316 $730

So if the price at Oracle and Serialsnapper is accurate, I save about $90!

Or go with the D80 + Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 + SB600

 

[felixcat8888]

Oracle thread:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217964&highlight=oracle&page=77

Serialsnapper thread:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370620

Enjoy reading . . .

 

[sjackal]

Thanx people, I had bought the D80 kit with 18-138mm. Went MS first, this time got a 1520 deal like what John316 is offering, no speedlite so no buy. Then went to Lucky Plaza today to check out Lords. The deal isn't sweeter than CP, 1700 vs 1690. Only $10 difference so don't wanna waste time and bought there.

Buying experience so-so. The seller give a sneaky impression, maybe his just blur. Want 3% extra for credit card rate, but all the shops I checked so far only ask for 2% more. When I want to leave, then back down to 2%. At first work out a 1700 deal based on the Nikon package, then later he try to assume its 1750. Had to remind him its 1700. While preparing the items, he 'forgot' to include the tripod and said 'ok thats all'. Had to remind him again about the tripod and then he fetch the tripod. Then he forget about the lenspen again, so I remind again, said its out of stock, try to replace with a piece of lens cloth, doesn't really match up to a lenspen right? I disagreed and maintained my stand, so he changed to a cleaning kit, (the usual blower alcohol, brush and cloth thingy) at least better than just a piece of cloth. He tried persuaded me to buy a Hoya multicoated UV filter at $35 from him, I don't know the rate, so I didn't buy. Since he seems so sneaky I don't have confident in commiting to anything I don't know the price about. In the end, Lucky Plaza is still Lucky Plaza, the feeling is very unlike John316 or TK or MS, who seems to be honest and steadfast sellers. But to say a word of fairness, the seller is polite and not pushy either. Very patient too.

I did get a digicabinet 30litre at $100, quoted at $118 initially but I know its not exp, TK quoted me $105 only.

 

[sjackal]

And lens wise, he quoted 690 for the Sigma 30mm f1.4, cheapest among all I checked so far.

But I already make arrangements with Oracle.