D40x kits from ebay

[fan1080]

Hi folks. I've been reading the DIS boards alot, just haven't posted, until now.

I'm looking at purchasing a Nikon DSLR. I was considering the D40 and was going to purchase it from a local dealer. However, I decided to have a look on ebay for interest and came across a few package deals.

Here's one I came across:

*Looks like I'm having trouble placing a link here. Here's a list of the items included in the kit:

1. D40x (new, unopened, box contains battery, charger, USB cable, caps, covers, strap, software)
2. Tamron 75-300mm f/4-5.6 AF Lens
3. Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Lens
4. Wide Angle Lens (attaches to other lenses by way of filter threads)
5. 4GIG High Speed Memory Card
6. Ultra High Speed 12 in 1 USB Card Reader
7. Heavy Duty Aluminum Hard Case
8. Large Digital Camera/Video Carrying Case
9. Professional Aircraft Aluminum Tripod
10. Table Top Tripod
11. 3 Pc. Lens Clening Kit

If someone that is a little more knowledgeable about DSLR's would have a look and let me know what you think of the items included, I would really appreciate it. I suspect most of the items are inexpensive accessories, but these kits still seem to be offering really good deals.

I'm in Canada, and from what I've read about "grey market" items, I may not be able to get warranty coverage from dealers in Canada. That seems to be the only thing that would steer me away from purchasing this way, other than it being a complete rip-off of course.

Anyway, thanks to anyone who takes the time to have a look for me.

Edit: I should include the selling price......... $838.99USD

 

[cpbjgc]

But as a fellow Canuck, the other thing to factor in if buying from the U.S. (or anywhere outside Canada) is the shipping costs (most E-Bay sellers in the U.S. only list the U.S. shipping and handling) and the duty/GSt and maybe PST you will need to pay before the package gets from the customs warehouse to your hands. Again, this is usually noted as being the purchaser's responsibility, but may drive the price to being close to or greater than buying in Canada.

 

[fan1080]

But as a fellow Canuck, the other thing to factor in if buying from the U.S. (or anywhere outside Canada) is the shipping costs (most E-Bay sellers in the U.S. only list the U.S. shipping and handling) and the duty/GSt and maybe PST you will need to pay before the package gets from the customs warehouse to your hands. Again, this is usually noted as being the purchaser's responsibility, but may drive the price to being close to or greater than buying in Canada.

The store I was going to purchase from had the D40x listed at $950 (with the 18-55mm lens) and $1169 (with the 18-135mm lens). That would give me a selling pric, including tax, of $1083 or $1332.

Shipping is about $80, not sure what duty would be. I'll look into that.

However, the price difference seems quite a bit. I think duty would have to be really extreme to make up the difference.

 

[GrumpyOne]

You know that #2 won't autofocus, right? The D40 series needs to use AF-S or AF-I lenses for autofocusing.

 

[JR6ooo4]

is this it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40x-Digi...2QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43456QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



here are a few quotes from resellerratings.com

Let me express my utmost dissatisfaction with Empire Digital a.k.a. E&R Electronics a.k.a MOS Marketing, located at 5816 West Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

Instead of sending me a brand new US warranty camera - as the one I have intended to purchase in first place - I have recieved an inferior piece of equipment called "Gray Market". Since it is impossible to distinguish US Market camera from Gray Market camera, I have lived for months under impression that I own a brand new, US market camera.

I ordered a DVx100B package for $2,418 after shipping which is a great deal. They called the day after the order to verify the order, and did of course try and sell me extra stuff to which i refused and told them I couldn't afford any of it. They were dissapointed and said it would arrive in 7-14 days.

About 5 days later, I receive the package and it is exactly as described on the ebay auction in perfect working condition. I was skeptical about this company but am very happy I chose to order from them.

I purchased a Panasonic GS500 from empiredigital on eBay using Buy it Now on Dec 1st. I paid for this item on Dec 1st. As requested, I provided additional contact information on Dec 2nd. I received a phone call from the seller on Dec 2nd during which the seller attempted to sell me additional items outside eBay.

On Dec 11, after having no contact with the seller by email or by phone, I contacted the seller through eBay and received an auto response that basically said they would take 7 business days or more to respond to my email. The following day I contacted the seller by phone. The seller's "support staff" were rude and unhelpful. They refused to identify themselves by name when requested. The first person I spoke to told me they did not have the item, that they did have it now. For my inconvenience they would "upgrade" my shipping to 3 day shipping (I wonder what I was getting before that since they charged my $39.99 for shipping) and the item would be shipped that day (Tuesday Dec 11) and I would have it by Friday. When I asked how they could sell items on eBay they didn't have, I was put on hold and transferred to another person. The second person put me on hold every time I asked a question. When asked to identify himself, he identified himself as "me". After being put on hold for the fourth time, he transferred me to a third person which is when I hung up the phone.

After this call, I contacted the seller again via eBay and provided a summary of what I was told over the phone. This was also Dec 12.

I did not receive the item as promised on Friday December 15. On December 18 I contacted the seller by phone and spoke to "Harry". Unlike his co-workers, Harry was helpful and indicated that the item had still not shipped and was not in stock. Harry offered the chance to cancel my order which I immediately accepted. I received an almost immediate refund into my PayPal account.

My experience with company ended with me cancelling the purchase after being on the phone for almost an hour. After they got my card information, I was asked to purchase a number of items I didn't want (battery, insurance, additional lens, charger, etc). Once it was obvious to the sales person that I wasn't going to buy anything else. I was aksed to wait for the total price with shipping and insurance. I never asked for insurance and it took 3 more calls on another phone before I was told insurance would add another $90 to my bill. I got put on hold again before I could say forget it. I finally got though 57 min later to cancel the order. Not a bait and switch but it was obvious to me they didn't want to sell me what they had offered at the price offered unless I was going to buy other thinggs. I believe that if I hadn't been persistend and called back 4 times on a separate phone line they would have hit my card with the extra charge. I found this seller on Ebay.

overal

Overall Customer Satisfaction Rating
Six-Month Rating: 3.33 / 10
Six-Month Reviews: 3
Lifetime Reviews: 5
Lifetime Rating: 2.00 / 10 All Stores Avg.: 7.28


is that the store you were looking at?
Mikeeee

 

[Lizziejane]

I have no idea if this is a real concern or not, but what about a warranty? If there is one, is it applicable to you here in Canada?

 

[JR6ooo4]

here is B&H Photo's review rating:

Six-Month Rating: 9.49 / 10
Six-Month Reviews: 685
Lifetime Reviews: 3313
Lifetime Rating: 9.37 / 10
All Stores Avg.: 7.28

and B&H's price (with a Kit lens ?)
Nikon D40x
10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Two SanDisk 2GB Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) Card

B&H# NID40X181355 B&H Kit
B&H Exclusive Rebate

Our Price: $ 989.95


Shipping Cost:
Availability: In Stock


I think the package on ebay is too low priced. I am not familiar with quality of the lenses but the accessories in these cheapo packagges are usualy medium to low quality at best. And some things that you may not need except for very specific shots.

Mikeeee

 

[fan1080]

You know that #2 won't autofocus, right? The D40 series needs to use AF-S or AF-I lenses for autofocusing.

Yes, but thanks for pointing that out.

That actually brings up a question. With a zoom lenses such as this one (70-300) is autofocus something that you actually use alot? Maybe for no motion shots, but for action shots would a manual focus be preferred anyway? How about 55-200 zoom, same thing?

And, yes, I'm a newbie to DSLR! I had an SLR many years ago, but it was damaged while flying back in the early 90's and I'm just getting back to it. I currently have a Canon A75 and I want to upgrade to a DSLR.

 

[fan1080]

JR6ooo4:

Yes, I believe it was Empire. Those reviews are not all that flattering, for certain.

The price is low, that's why I wanted to have someone comment on the items included.

But, ebay is full of these kits at varying prices and kit contents. Some seem to be better deals than others.

 

[fan1080]

I have no idea if this is a real concern or not, but what about a warranty? If there is one, is it applicable to you here in Canada?

Yeah, warranty is something worth while, imo. And these things can be susceptible to grey market issues.

 

[ukcatfan]

That actually brings up a question. With a zoom lenses such as this one (70-300) is autofocus something that you actually use alot? Maybe for no motion shots, but for action shots would a manual focus be preferred anyway?

For me, it is flipped. Unless you know exactly where the action is going to be, AF is more effectve IMO. Your DOF is not likely going to be very broad, so your room for error on MF is not likely going to be much. It would likely be fine for something like a race, but for something like football, baseball, soccer, basketball, etc. the action will likely be over before you even get it in focus.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

I have a manual-focus 400mm lens and it can be a real bear getting perfect focus on it.

I would also recommend looking at the D40 instead of the D40x, unless you can find a D40x for nearly the same price - you gain virtually nothing other than more megapixels, the extra money would probably be better spent on lenses, IMHO.

Or, keep an eye out for a leftover D50 or factory refurb, then you'll be able to autofocus with the lenses than the D40/D40x can't.