[TheBeastFieast]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

I would say, "Keep both". I guess you are not able to go wide enough. What is the cost of the Tamron?

Yes, 18-105 is 3.5 - 5.6 and at 50mm its f5, I would like to have 2.8 least at that end.

Tamron is approx 20K, I already have Nikon 70-300mm so keeping both wont make sense. Rather selling 18-105 will give me some money, I am expecting 10-12K out of it.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by TheBeastFieast

.....
Tamron is approx 20K, ....

I suppose its non-VC version!!

[abhinavm]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Anybody from Bangalore, who can give a review/if possible a demo of pentax K-x. There is a good deal on Amazon on this camera as of now.

PM me if you're interested. I am located in BTM layout. Would be glad to help. Purchased the k-x recently.

Planning to write a review, but will give you the summary : Best VFM camera out there, go for it ! Also, go for the Dual lens kit with 55-300 (not 55-200).

Some points I had jotted down for some other forum/thread, where the request was for suggestions of an entry level DSLR, to be purchased from US :

You can consider Pentax k-x or k-r with a dual lens kit (18-55 +
55-300). The k-x 55-300 kit lens is very good, and the amazon price is
currently USD 625 approx.

The +ves/-ves about Pentax that I found *relevant* during my purchase
decision (October 2010) :

+ve :

* Support for all lenses ever made for Pentax mounts. So good number of
old manual focus lenses available. Available both in US on ebay, as well
as here in India in old camera shops.

* IS is in-body, so in theory lenses are cheaper and you get IS for even
old lenses. It is a different debate whether the IS for any DSLR is good
enough, in-body or otherwise.

* High ISO performance is probably as good as any other camera in this
range, if not better. Please research more on this aspect.

* Ultimate VFM : The dual lens kit for k-x was around 10-12 k cheaper
than the corresponding Canon (500D) kit. I got the dual lens kit for
around 32k (from singapore - US prices are cheaper), in which I would
have got the Canon 500d with just the 18-55 lens.

* DSLR body available in awesome colors - Get the Red k-x and you'll
have the most eye-catching camera for sure

-ve's :

* No presence of Pentax in India - so service etc has to be done in US
or Singapore. If you're already considering the purchase from US, then
this becomes less relevant.

* If you have friends with whom you would like to share lenses, then you
would need to go with a Canon or Nikon (whichever they have). Pentax
user base in India is very small compared to Canikon

* New Lenses - Probably the range, especially for prosumers, is limited
compared to Canikon (for eg the Canon L series expensive lenses). If you
see yourself doing very serious wildlife photography down the line,
then you might want to stick with Canikon. I still made a decision to go
with Pentax because I don't see myself going that far, and even if I do,
switching systems later wouldn't be as costly as my Pentax investment
will remain low.

* Sharing lenses with friends - Another important consideration,
especially if you have friends who are serious about photography *and*
have very good lenses which they will allow you to borrow. I considered
this but then most of my friends have a Canon T2I (550D) with just kit
lens, so disregarded.

I had pretty much settled on the Canon 500D in a similar budget as yours
(550D was more expensive), before considering and then increasingly
being sure about Pentax. The VFM factor, along with the above +ves, was
just too compelling and in favor of k-x. Didn't research Nikon as much.

[TheBeastFieast]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

I suppose its non-VC version!!

Yes it is. I think the VC version is approx 30K.

[rk_sans]

@abhinavm,
Thanks a lot for the review. I have pmed you.

[DRIV3R]

Originally Posted by IronH4WK

btw, do you know where in Bangalore i can get Hoya filters? i've been looking around various shops, but every time i end up returning empty handed. i need one 52mm and two 58mm filters.

Hoya is available at the following stores in BLR.

PIXETRA, WHIZZ, FOTO CIRCLE, R.K COLOR LAB, G K VALE, ACCESS 2 FUTURE, CAMERA CITI, etc.

INTERFOTO is the sole distributor of Hoya filters in India.

Here is the price list of their current portfolio.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

Hoya is available at the following stores in BLR.

PIXETRA, WHIZZ, FOTO CIRCLE, R.K COLOR LAB, G K VALE, ACCESS 2 FUTURE, CAMERA CITI, etc.

INTERFOTO is the sole distributor of Hoya filters in India.

Here is the price list of their current portfolio.

G.K Vale and Whizz never keep any Hoya in stock , They just have Maurami UV or Sonya.

When I asked for ND filter at G.K. vale M.G road couple of staff members looked at me as if I am asking for Giraffe after which told me they have Maurami and produced Maurami UV

Same story at Whizz in forum except the fact that there was an old gentleman who finally understood what I am asking and said no.

I called at almost all the good shops in Bangalore for ND4 and ND8 and finally purchased Delhi made Omax ND4 and ND8 filter directly from OMAX because no one had stock of ND4 and ND8.
This was in Dec end 2010.

Omax ND is not bad I could not find any casting or flare though the packing was tacky and looked out of 70s.

[abhinavm]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

Hoya is available at the following stores in BLR.

PIXETRA, WHIZZ, FOTO CIRCLE, R.K COLOR LAB, G K VALE, ACCESS 2 FUTURE, CAMERA CITI, etc.

INTERFOTO is the sole distributor of Hoya filters in India.

Here is the price list of their current portfolio.

Did you get your INR 250 Hoya UV(N) in Bangalore ? From which shop ?

Also, I do not see this listed in the price list xls (thanks for the xls, btw !)

[Ricky_63]

Bought a Nikon D90 today. Came with 18-105 lens. It is a fair improvement on the D60 I was using earlier. Ordered a 55-300 lens as well, as that was not in stock !

Hope to take some nice pics in the near future. I am an absolute novice, but love taking pics, whether it's cars, flowers, buildings, monuments or insects !!

Wish me luck !!



Cheers

[gd1418]

Wishing you luck. Anything else?

BTW, if you are an "absolute novice", how do you know that D90 is a fair improvement on D60?

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Bought a Nikon D90 today. Came with 18-105 lens. It is a fair improvement on the D60 I was using earlier. Ordered a 55-300 lens as well, as that was not in stock !

Hope to take some nice pics in the near future. I am an absolute novice, but love taking pics, whether it's cars, flowers, buildings, monuments or insects !!

Wish me luck !!



Cheers

[R2D2]

It was time for consolidation of my lens collection and I guess the season for new lenses.

I sold off ALL my old Nikkor lenses yesterday, 2 of them going back to the early 2000s, and purchased the newly launched "walk-around" Nikkor 28-300 AF-S VR-II which is possibly a bit rare at this point in time. 2 Hoya HMC UV filters are on back order and will be in my bag later this week.

It is rather hefty at 800g but that's better than carrying around multiple lenses. The 28-300 will be my vacation lens. It has mostly good reviews but pros trash it for obvious reasons. Well, the thing is, you get what you pay for.

@ Ricky_63 - Congrats and good luck with your new D90. Photography brings me peace of mind and I am sure it will do the same for you.

Cheers!

[skartik2]

Originally Posted by R2D2

It was time for consolidation of my lens collection and I guess the season for new lenses.

I sold off ALL my old Nikkor lenses yesterday, 2 of them going back to the early 2000s, and purchased the newly launched "walk-around" Nikkor 28-300 AF-S VR-II which is possibly a bit rare at this point in time. 2 Hoya HMC UV filters are on back order and will be in my bag later this week.

It is rather hefty at 800g but that's better than carrying around multiple lenses. The 28-300 will be my vacation lens. It has mostly good reviews but pros trash it for obvious reasons. Well, the thing is, you get what you pay for.

@ Ricky_63 - Congrats and good luck with your new D90. Photography brings me peace of mind and I am sure it will do the same for you.

Cheers!

R2D2,

How much for the Nikkor 28-300 AF-S VR-II?

TIA

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by skartik2

R2D2,

How much for the Nikkor 28-300 AF-S VR-II?

TIA

It list price is at Rs 68K with B&W. Dealers generally pass on a discount on MRP. How much generally depends on your rapport with them.

Regards,

[DRIV3R]

Originally Posted by abhinavm

Did you get your INR 250 Hoya UV(N) in Bangalore ? From which shop ?

Also, I do not see this listed in the price list xls (thanks for the xls, btw !)

I bought the Hoya UV(N) from Savithri Photo House, Coimbatore.

You get UV(C) only now, that too with B&W.

Hoya's International product portfolio/catalogue no longer has the HMC UV(N). Seems like they have discontinued it. I can try getting you one from here, if needed.

Here is their catalog. The price list is from InterFoto. You might also wanna check MediaHome.in, which give better prices for Hoya filters.

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Bought a Nikon D90 today. Came with 18-105 lens. It is a fair improvement on the D60 I was using earlier. Ordered a 55-300 lens as well, as that was not in stock !

Hope to take some nice pics in the near future. I am an absolute novice, but love taking pics, whether it's cars, flowers, buildings, monuments or insects !!

Congrats,

But 55-300 is a wrong choice. You should have gone for 70-300, which is far far
better and sharp lens.

BTW why did you felt the need of upgrading, D60 is an awesome body, much much more for a novice