Just got a D3200, but...

[MystrE]

Hello everybody, I'm new here and excited to be a part of this forum!
I ordered a Nikon D3200 2 lens kit Thanksgiving morning from B&H. The website at the time I ordered this kit showed both the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses to be VR lenses as part of the kit which made this a really nice deal. Sadly, what I received are VR 18-55 and non VR 55-200DX kit lenses. Apparently there was an error on their website, so now I need to decide whether or not to keep this bundle or return it to B&H due to the 55-200 not being a VR lens. I've used a Pentax K1000 back in the day with a zoom lens but I've used point and shoots for the last few years so I would have to use proper hand holding techniques and higher shutter speeds to get sharp photos with the 55-200 non VR lens, should I decide to keep this kit. I envision using the 55-200 during outside walks and very rarely inside.
How big of a deal is it to have a non VR zoom that maxes out at 200mm? That is what my decision concerning this kit hinges upon at this time. The camera hasn't even been taken out of it's box since I'm trying to decide whether or not to keep the kit.
I would appreciate input since it's been awhile that I've had a camera up to my eyes to take photos... those Canon point and shoot tunnel optical viewfinders aren't the greatest so most of my photos were taken using the lcd screen.

 

[robbins.photo]

Hello everybody, I'm new here and excited to be a part of this forum!
I ordered a Nikon D3200 2 lens kit Thanksgiving morning from B&H. The website at the time I ordered this kit showed both the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses to be VR lenses as part of the kit which made this a really nice deal. Sadly, what I received are VR 18-55 and non VR 55-200DX kit lenses. Apparently there was an error on their website, so now I need to decide whether or not to keep this bundle or return it to B&H due to the 55-200 not being a VR lens. I've used a Pentax K1000 back in the day with a zoom lens but I've used point and shoots for the last few years so I would have to use proper hand holding techniques and higher shutter speeds to get sharp photos with the 55-200 non VR lens, should I decide to keep this kit. I envision using the 55-200 during outside walks and very rarely inside.
How big of a deal is it to have a non VR zoom that maxes out at 200mm? That is what my decision concerning this kit hinges upon at this time. The camera hasn't even been taken out of it's box since I'm trying to decide whether or not to keep the kit.
I would appreciate input since it's been awhile that I've had a camera up to my eyes to take photos... those Canon point and shoot tunnel optical viewfinders aren't the greatest so most of my photos were taken using the lcd screen.

Well I guess my first thought would be, if B&H advertised this as a 55-200 mm with VR are they going to honor that and replace it with the VR version? I'd contact them and find out.

 

[LakeFX]

If they don't replace it with the VR lens, I personally would send it back. The 18-55 is a pretty decent kit lens, but the 55-200 is pretty slow to hand hold without VR in anything other than direct sunlight. If you get the kit with just the 18-55, you could get a good condition 70-300 VR relatively cheap and it's a great lens.

 

[MystrE]

I did contact B&H customer service who told me this was a Nikon kit and not a B&H kit. This was ordered early Thanksgiving morning and that offer was removed from their Black Friday specials on their website shortly after I ordered. I didn't make a screenshot of the website after ordering, but I did make a screenshot of their website showing a 2 lens kit identical to what I received... which is now also discontinued by B&H. That particular kit was placed in their Black Friday sale section after the original product offering I ordered was removed. The only options B&H offered to me were either to keep what I got or return the entire kit, which also included a SD card and camera bag. Returning everything would tie up my funds for some time since payment was handled through Bill Me Later.
Unfortunately, Nikon D3200's run for right at $496 with only the 18-55 VR kit lens which is what I paid for the 2 lens offer shown on their website at that time. There is some aggravation as I know what was on their website when I ordered because I literally triple checked every component offered and in multiple places it indicated the 55-200 lens was a VR lens. This camera is going to be my Christmas gift so I've got to decide fairly quickly... everything is sitting in the shipping carton. My budget dictates keeping things as close to what I spent, otherwise I'd send everything back and order something with 2 VR lenses or get something like a Nikon P7800.

 

[robbins.photo]

I did contact B&H customer service who told me this was a Nikon kit and not a B&H kit. This was ordered early Thanksgiving morning and that offer was removed from their Black Friday specials on their website shortly after I ordered. I didn't make a screenshot of the website after ordering, but I did make a screenshot of their website showing a 2 lens kit identical to what I received... which is now also discontinued by B&H. That particular kit was placed in their Black Friday sale section after the original product offering I ordered was removed. The only options B&H offered to me were either to keep what I got or return the entire kit, which also included a SD card and camera bag. Returning everything would tie up my funds for some time since payment was handled through Bill Me Later.
Unfortunately, Nikon D3200's run for right at $496 with only the 18-55 VR kit lens which is what I paid for the 2 lens offer shown on their website at that time. There is some aggravation as I know what was on their website when I ordered because I literally triple checked every component offered and in multiple places it indicated the 55-200 lens was a VR lens. This camera is going to be my Christmas gift so I've got to decide fairly quickly... everything is sitting in the shipping carton. My budget dictates keeping things as close to what I spent, otherwise I'd send everything back and order something with 2 VR lenses or get something like a Nikon P7800.

Ok, so am I reading this correctly, you paid the same for this kit as what you would pay to replace it with just the D3200 and the 18-55 lens, is that correct? If so, no brainer. Keep the kit. If you got the 55-200 mm basically for free, not much point in returning the kit. If it were me I'd see about selling the 55-200 mm and get yourself a Nikkor 70-300 mm VR, it is an amazing lens.

 

[LakeFX]

I did contact B&H customer service who told me this was a Nikon kit and not a B&H kit. This was ordered early Thanksgiving morning and that offer was removed from their Black Friday specials on their website shortly after I ordered. I didn't make a screenshot of the website after ordering, but I did make a screenshot of their website showing a 2 lens kit identical to what I received... which is now also discontinued by B&H. That particular kit was placed in their Black Friday sale section after the original product offering I ordered was removed. The only options B&H offered to me were either to keep what I got or return the entire kit, which also included a SD card and camera bag. Returning everything would tie up my funds for some time since payment was handled through Bill Me Later.
Unfortunately, Nikon D3200's run for right at $496 with only the 18-55 VR kit lens which is what I paid for the 2 lens offer shown on their website at that time. There is some aggravation as I know what was on their website when I ordered because I literally triple checked every component offered and in multiple places it indicated the 55-200 lens was a VR lens. This camera is going to be my Christmas gift so I've got to decide fairly quickly... everything is sitting in the shipping carton. My budget dictates keeping things as close to what I spent, otherwise I'd send everything back and order something with 2 VR lenses or get something like a Nikon P7800.

Ok, so am I reading this correctly, you paid the same for this kit as what you would pay to replace it with just the D3200 and the 18-55 lens, is that correct? If so, no brainer. Keep the kit. If you got the 55-200 mm basically for free, not much point in returning the kit. If it were me I'd see about selling the 55-200 mm and get yourself a Nikkor 70-300 mm VR, it is an amazing lens.

This is the way to go. You got a good deal on the kit and if you can afford to get the 70-300 (looks like you can get one for around $300 used) you have a really wide range in just 2 lenses that should cover almost everything that you would want at this point.

 

[goodguy]

Frankly I wouldnt bother with the 55-200mm lens whether VR or non VR, not the sharpest lenses in Nikon tool shed.
I would go for the Nikon 70-300mm VR lens as few has already recomended, not only you get much more reach but it is sharper and has a very effective VR.
You can get one used for 300$ or even less.

 

[PaulWog]

Just sell the 55-200 for a small amount. Get what you can for it on Craigslist or eBay or whatever you're comfortable selling it on. If you got the D3200 and kit lens for cheap enough alongside the 55-200, as mentioned, then there's no point in making a return.

 

[MystrE]

Yes, the 55-200 was basically a free lens so to avoid the hassle of returning everything and starting the buying process all over again, I will just keep everything. I'll see what I can do to sell the 55-200 and get a 70-300 VR lens later on. It's just aggravating to order something online and receive something that's different enough to make me even think about sending it all back.
Anyway, I'll start setting the camera up and play around with it in spite of the rain outside. I appreciate everybody's comments because I was beginning to think along the same lines as the above posters.
Looking forward to being a part of this community!

 

[robbins.photo]

Yes, the 55-200 was basically a free lens so to avoid the hassle of returning everything and starting the buying process all over again, I will just keep everything. I'll see what I can do to sell the 55-200 and get a 70-300 VR lens later on. It's just aggravating to order something online and receive something that's different enough to make me even think about sending it all back.
Anyway, I'll start setting the camera up and play around with it in spite of the rain outside. I appreciate everybody's comments because I was beginning to think along the same lines as the above posters.
Looking forward to being a part of this community!

If nothing else hang onto the 55-200 and use it till you can afford the 70-300 mm. With a little bit higher shutter speeds and if you stop the lens down a bit odds are good you can get some pretty usable pictures out of it. I mean it's not so horrible that it's completely worthless by any means, it's just not a very popular lens and I think the reason for that is that there are other lenses in it's price range that simply out preform it in many different categories.

Congrats on the D3200 - I'm a D5100 owner myself, soon to be a D7000 owner as well. I love my 5100 - it's been a great camera and I've always been happy with the results. The only time I don't get great pictures out of it is when the linkage between the camera and the concrete has an issue.. lol

 

[MystrE]

That Nikon D5100 looks like a very nice camera and I would have bought one in a heartbeat as I really like fully articulating screens. All of my Canon point and shoots had one (A620, A630 and G12) so I sort of got spoiled by them. If I could have found a D5100 in the range my budget could afford, I would have purchased one on the spot. I do see Amazon is currently selling a D5100 with a VR kit lens for less than the D3200, but I would have to pay for that camera up front, send the D3200 back and wait for a credit and refund. If Amazon would use Bill Me Later, I might would do it and use the credit to pay for the D5100.
It is tempting, that's for sure. I know I appear to be "wishy washy" but I'm just trying to get the best bang for the buck... I will keep this camera for quite awhile.

 

[KmH]

VR is an over-rated feature. It should be turned off most of the time a lens is used.

At focal lengths of 200 mm and less it is only useful when shutter speed falls below 1/the focal length, and even then there are other low tech ways to stabilize the camera.

 

[Derrel]

Kind of a bogus move advertising Nikon's factory SKU 2-lens kit as being dual VR then selling you another kit.... boo, hiss. Lame.

 

[robbins.photo]

That Nikon D5100 looks like a very nice camera and I would have bought one in a heartbeat as I really like fully articulating screens. All of my Canon point and shoots had one (A620, A630 and G12) so I sort of got spoiled by them. If I could have found a D5100 in the range my budget could afford, I would have purchased one on the spot. I do see Amazon is currently selling a D5100 with a VR kit lens for less than the D3200, but I would have to pay for that camera up front, send the D3200 back and wait for a credit and refund. If Amazon would use Bill Me Later, I might would do it and use the credit to pay for the D5100.
It is tempting, that's for sure. I know I appear to be "wishy washy" but I'm just trying to get the best bang for the buck... I will keep this camera for quite awhile.

I really love my D5100 - it's been a great camera for me. Truth be told I don't really use the articulating screen myself, but for some folks it's a great feature. I bought mine used and at the time I got a really good deal on it, been happy with it ever since. The D7000, well that was ordered for me as a thank you gift. I'll be interested to see how it shoots, for now my plan is to keep both. The 3200 is a a really great camera though, it has the higher 24 mp sensor which should give you some really great quality images and it sounds like you got a really good bargain on it, even with the snafu one the 55-200 mm lens. So for now if I were you I'd hang on to it, thing is the prices on cameras like the D5100, D5200, D7000, D7100 and even the D600 will probably drop significantly in the next year as newer cameras are added to the Nikon line up. So I'd keep the 3200, add some lenses to my line-up, and when the time comes to upgrade you'll be in great shape.

 

[MystrE]

I'm still a bit aggravated over not getting that VR zoom and I still haven't taken anything out of its box. I can get a Nikon D5100 with 18-55 and 55-200 VR zoom lenses for about $70 more than what I paid for the D3200. I'm going to sleep on that tonight and if that offer is still available tomorrow, I may just jump on that.