D300 w/18-200VR cheap & reputable

[Larry C]

Get a better deal than I did. Costco is selling the D300 w/18-200VR @ $300 off from $100 less than most places list to begin with.

Costco - $2,149.99 After $300 OFF Nikon D300 12.3MP 3" 18-200mm VR Lens Up to 6 Frames/sec

 

[Eskasi]

Nice find.... I would have kicked myself if I did not have to trade in all my Sony Alpha stuff and Konica Lenses at Adorama to get mine....

 

[DavidScubadiver]

Out of curiosity, was the Sony Alpha unacceptable? I know the UW world is no well populated by sony dslr cameras...

 

[Eskasi]

The Alpha was a great camera. Some of the Konica Minolta lenses I had were tack sharp... Easy to use and a great wy to get into DSLR use. However, the limited choices for housings and the technological leap the Nikon D300 made, convinced me to switch outright.....

 

[DavidScubadiver]

If I recall correctly, the housing for the A700 was an Ikelite. Anything against that particular brand? I am considering it for the D300. If you housed your D300 in something else, mind me asking why you chose it over the cheaper Ikelite? (I know one gets what they pay for, but I am also a bit new to the very expensive world of UW photography - Seems like all housings keep camera dry and its prohibitively expensive to do so with an aluminum case, particularly if you want TTL flash.

 

[danclem]

Hi Davidscubadiver:

Here is one take on housings. My dive buddy has an Ikelite housing and I have an aluminium Subal housing. They both work fine. They both handle TTL fine (we both use twin Ikelite 125 strobes).

The Subal is smaller and ergonomically a bit better. It also is more expensive. For me the size difference was worth the price because I travel quite a bit. But they both work well.

Hope this helps,

Dan

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

In pricing, consider everything. Adm. Linda got an Aquatica for her D40 because it would take
the existing Nikonos synch cords (we have a drawer full of single cords), while the Ike would have required buying Ike synch cords.


Chuck

 

[danclem]

I don't purchase electronics on line, but here is an advertisement for a D300 box for $999.

1WAYPHOTO.COM

Cheers,

Dan

 

[RonFrank]

The $300 rebate not just from Costco. IOW's you can find this camera/lens combination with a $300 rebate from a number of retailers.

 

[mike_s]

Yeah... but that's $2149 at Costco. for D300, lens(18-200vr), and 2gb CF card.


Adorama has the D300 for $2239 (after rebate) with 18-200vr (and no free 2gb CF card)

Beach Camera has the D300 at $2239 with 18-200vr, and free 2gb CF card.


So the Costco deal is a better deal.

Of course you have to pay sales tax at your local Costco, and not at the online retailers. Where I live that would be $182 in local state/city/county sales taxes. (so $2149+182=$2331). Still cheaper to buy online. I'm not sure how Costco charges tax on online orders.

maybe someone with a Costo account can check. it won't let me in checkout w/o a membership number.