Ready to buy -- last minute questions

[123SA]

Pentax ist*DL from amazon.com for $439 (less $100 rebate)
Sigma 18-125mm lens from sigma4less $240

1. Any thoughts on additional warranties? Is there a different site I should consider for thier warranty?

2. Do I need a UV lens filter?

3. Will any AA rechargeable batteries and charger work -- or are there specific brands for the Pentax camera? Amazon has a sony recharger with 4AA 2500NiMH batteries for $22

I appreciate your help.

ritzcamera has a Pentax 80-200mm lens/f4.7-5.6 on clearance for $85 -- is this a good lens, good price, good for sports photos?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1. I personally never use a camera longer than a year, so extended warranty is not for me

2. I always use UV0 as a lens protector AND the lens hood (make sure lens hood is off when using built-in flash)

3. Yes, you can use any AA batteries. 2500 mAh is quite powerful.

 

[Anewman]

Pentax ist*DL from amazon.com for $439 (less $100 rebate)
Sigma 18-125mm lens from sigma4less $240

1. Any thoughts on additional warranties? Is there a different site I should consider for thier warranty?

2. Do I need a UV lens filter?

3. Will any AA rechargeable batteries and charger work -- or are there specific brands for the Pentax camera? Amazon has a sony recharger with 4AA 2500NiMH batteries for $22

I appreciate your help.

First, the $439 price you are quoting from Amazon. Is not being sold or shipped by Amazon, it is a third party vendor, 17th Street Camera. They get mostly positive review but they chage shipping($17.50 in this case) and may charge sales tax).

1. It should come with at least a 1 year warranty from Pentax.

2. You dont NEED a UV filter, some CHOOSE to use them. I choose not to.

3. Any Nimhs should do, that is a good price for those Sonys. Go to outpost DOTCOM and search for charger, one deal has a charger and 12 batteries(lower rating I am sure) for $19.90. Many other deals to choose from,

 

[Anewman]

ritzcamera has a Pentax 80-200mm lens/f4.7-5.6 on clearance for $85 -- is this a good lens, good price, good for sports photos?

It is not a GREAT lens and really you would be paying $85(plus shipping) for a the 125-200mm range, since you will already have everything to 125mm covered with the sigma.

What is it with the Clearance deals that Pentax shooters have been getting lately, Buydig also had some that I felt were great prices.

what about some for us Canon folk

 

[Golf4food]

If you haven't ordered already, check out Beachcamera.com first. They were the cheapest place I could find on our ist*DL (before they started the $100 rebate). No taxes, very fast service, all around wonderful.

We also got the Sigma 18-125 and love it.

We have three sets of 4 2500NiMH batteries and a charger and have yet to need to replace even the first set of batteries after taking over 300+ pictures on each of three separate occasions.

We also purchased a SanDisk UltraII 2GB card and it will hold around 665 images at full JPEG resolution. We plan to pick up at least an extra 1GB before our Disney trip in December. But it is great not feeling constrained by card size - I can just snap off as many pics as I want!