I'm working with a budget of $1,200 and looking at the Nikon d5500 with at least the 18-140mm AF-S VR lense. Id also like a 70-300 to go with it, either the Nikon one or the Tamron one with Macro (which may be the winner as I found it for $99).
My issue seems to be finding a site with good deals but that also carries the USA version, not the grey market. Initially when researching cameras and then prices I was OK with the import model since it saved money and most sites offer their own warranty to make up for the manufacturers one not being valid. But then I researched more and saw things like not being able to get firmware updates for the cameras, or shops not wanting to do repairs on grey market even if you pay, and issues with some of the sites that sell them and their customer service and warranty policies and I just decided Id rather pay the extra money for the USA version and peace of mind.
Everytime I see a good price it turns out to be the import, but more importantly some sites you really cannot tell this at all unless you dig around. Big sites that seemingly have thousands of daily customers and come up in Google shop results and such, so it's not like they are sketchy "back alley" internet sites haha. But you can't tell it's an import until you read the warranty details and see its from the site not Nikon, or you read customer reviews saying it's the grey market version. Then there are sites like B&H or Adorama which clearly state they carry grey market versions of products (but makes it seem like it's in ADDITION to the USA versions, like an option?), but have "Nikon authorized dealer" logos on all the pages which is what I'm told to look for to know its a USA product. It's all so confusing! And the best part is I tried to call both B&H AND Adorama to ask them for clarification and they're both closed until Friday for some Holiday....how's THAT for timing haha!
Right now on Adorama it's $1,096.xx for the d5500 body and 18-140 lense as a kit, and they throw in a 32gb sd card, 3pc filter set, cleaning kit, and camera holster case. B&H has a similar kit for same price but it's out of stock. If those are the USA version then it's the best price I've seen so far. Best Buy has it for $1,099 but without the extras, and Walmart only has bundles with the red body for some reason, which I don't like at all. Plus Walmart and Best Buy = tax, which is another $85-ish that could be memory cards or tripod or SOMETHING else that isn't "the man" haha. Amazon is confusing because the same exact thing is listed for different prices and some are USA and some are 3rd party sellers that are grey market and others look like it's not the lense you want but if you click it there's options to change, and it goes on and on. eBay is mostly all the import versions. I think searching for the best price is more confusing that reading all the camera and lense specs/reviews the past few months!!!
Are there any other/better sites out there that may have a better price for that body/lense combo? And can anyone clarify which version this would be from Adorama and B&H, import or USA? Specifically Adorama since theirs is in stock and I'm really itching to make this purchase so I can start using it!
My issue seems to be finding a site with good deals but that also carries the USA version, not the grey market. Initially when researching cameras and then prices I was OK with the import model since it saved money and most sites offer their own warranty to make up for the manufacturers one not being valid. But then I researched more and saw things like not being able to get firmware updates for the cameras, or shops not wanting to do repairs on grey market even if you pay, and issues with some of the sites that sell them and their customer service and warranty policies and I just decided Id rather pay the extra money for the USA version and peace of mind.
Everytime I see a good price it turns out to be the import, but more importantly some sites you really cannot tell this at all unless you dig around. Big sites that seemingly have thousands of daily customers and come up in Google shop results and such, so it's not like they are sketchy "back alley" internet sites haha. But you can't tell it's an import until you read the warranty details and see its from the site not Nikon, or you read customer reviews saying it's the grey market version. Then there are sites like B&H or Adorama which clearly state they carry grey market versions of products (but makes it seem like it's in ADDITION to the USA versions, like an option?), but have "Nikon authorized dealer" logos on all the pages which is what I'm told to look for to know its a USA product. It's all so confusing! And the best part is I tried to call both B&H AND Adorama to ask them for clarification and they're both closed until Friday for some Holiday....how's THAT for timing haha!
Right now on Adorama it's $1,096.xx for the d5500 body and 18-140 lense as a kit, and they throw in a 32gb sd card, 3pc filter set, cleaning kit, and camera holster case. B&H has a similar kit for same price but it's out of stock. If those are the USA version then it's the best price I've seen so far. Best Buy has it for $1,099 but without the extras, and Walmart only has bundles with the red body for some reason, which I don't like at all. Plus Walmart and Best Buy = tax, which is another $85-ish that could be memory cards or tripod or SOMETHING else that isn't "the man" haha. Amazon is confusing because the same exact thing is listed for different prices and some are USA and some are 3rd party sellers that are grey market and others look like it's not the lense you want but if you click it there's options to change, and it goes on and on. eBay is mostly all the import versions. I think searching for the best price is more confusing that reading all the camera and lense specs/reviews the past few months!!!
Are there any other/better sites out there that may have a better price for that body/lense combo? And can anyone clarify which version this would be from Adorama and B&H, import or USA? Specifically Adorama since theirs is in stock and I'm really itching to make this purchase so I can start using it!
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