"YOU WENT ONE STEP AHEAD OF ME!"
Those were the words uttered to me over MSN. Desmond had expressed that he is interested in getting a DSLR himself and having read my account on D40 vs D50, it further reassured him that D50 is a good choice. As a buddy since gunpla-modelling days, I decide to help him out by scourging through the forums and picked out a deal.
He was very certain after I ran an analysis on the bundle and decided that he is gonna put me as his technical specialist to test out his camera before trading.
I am more than delighted to help.
I am sure Desmond is all excited now with only a few hours left before we trade with the seller for his D50 bundle. I have worked out a review of his bundle since it is a rather unique one.
The bundle at S$1000 includes:
- D50 Body (Retail $1188 for kit, Resale $600-750)
- 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Sigma lens (11x zoom, Retail $550, Resale $350-400)
- 1GB SD card (standard must have so consider this FOC, retail ~25)
- B+W 62 010 UV-Haze MRC filter (retail $62, UV filter that blocks more than regular UV filter)
- Optech USA Quick Release Strap (US$23.99, http://www.wolfes.com/photo/straps.html)
- Thom Hogan Complete Guide to Nikon D50 CD (useful but consider this FOC, US$29.95, http://www.bythom.com/d50guide.htm)
- Hoya HMC 62mm UV Guard filter (retail $28)
- Hoya 62mm UV Guard (Coated) filter (retail $33)
- Mini tripod (useless consider this FOC)
- 123 of Digital Imaging CD (useful but consider this FOC, http://www.123di.com/default.htm)
CLICK POST LINKER BANNER BELOW TO READ FULL ARTICLE
Analysis of the bundle, it does not come with a standard NIKON AF-S 18-55mm kit lens. It comes with a SIGMA 18-200mm zoom lens instead. So I added the cheapest resale value for the body (1) to cheapest value of the SIGMA lens (2).
(1) + (2) = S$950
As a side note, the Nikon AF-S 18-55mm kit lens usually marked as resale for S$100-150.
If I add everything that is useful and worthwhile,
(1) + (2) + (4) + (7) + (8) = S$1073
Hence, at the end of the day paying S$1000 is definitely worthwhile, not taking the other CD-ROMs into account yet. I still don't see why would he give 3 UV filters, when he is only selling one lens to us!! I guess he got no more lenses with 62mm filter diameter. On top of that, replacing the kit lens with the SIGMA lens seems like a promising step to take for a beginner who needs more zoom (11.1x) instead of just conventional (3x). There is no need for him to buy another telephoto zoom lens (usually 70-300mm) to complement the kit lens, now that he got an all-in-one.
I have done a simple specifications comparison of both lenses. For what I know, this is a popular and good lens as a kit replacement lens. However, the lack of VR (Vibration Reduction in Nikon terms) or OS (Optical Stabilization in SIGMA terms) can potentially result in blurry images at full tele-zoom (200mm) caused by camera shake. At the end of the day, it boils down to trying it out and trial shooting with it.
THE LENS SHOOTOUT
SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
This high zoom ratio lens is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto. Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and two hybrid aspherical lenses offer the utmost correction for all types of aberrations, and enables this extended range super zoom lens to be housed in a compact and lightweight construction of 70mm (2.8») diameter, and 78.1mm (3.1») in length, and weighing just 405g/14.3oz. The new lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7») at all focal lengths and has maximum magnification of 1:4.4.
The lens design incorporates an inner focusing system, which prevents the front of the lens from rotating, making it particularly suitable for using circular polarizing filters and petal shaped lens hoods. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, ensuring convenient handling and ease of use. A zoom lock switch eliminates ‘zoom creep’ during transportation, a convenient addition when traveling
Lens Construction 15 Elements in 13 Groups
Angle of View 69.3 - 7.1 degrees (Sigma SD format)
Number of Diaphragm Blades 7 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 45cm / 17.7 in.
Maximum Magnification 1:4.4
Filter Size Diameter 62mm
Lens Hood Petal Hood
Dimensions Diameter 70mm X Length 78.1mm (2.8 in. x 3.1 in.)
Weight 405g / 14.4 oz.
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
This D50 and D40 (ver 'II') standard zoom kit lens composed ED glass and hybrid aspherical lens elements, with ultracompact dimensions of 69 x 74mm (2.7 x 2.9 in.) and just 210g (6.8 oz.) in weight.It incorporates a newly developed compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing. It has a Seven-blade rounded diaphragm. It also enables focusing from as close as 28cm (11 in.) from the subject through entire focal range.
Lens construction 7 elements in 5 groups (1 ED glass element and 1 aspherical lens)
Picture angle 76° - 28°50'
Focal-length scale 18, 24, 28, 45, 55mm
Number of diaphragm blades 7 (rounded)
Minimum f/stop 22-38
Closest focusing distance 0.28m (through the entire focal range)
Maximum reproduction ratio 1/3.2
Zoom control Manual, via separate zoom ring
Macro focusing N/A
Focus-limit switch: N/A
M/A mode N/A
A-M mode switch Available
Focus lock button N/A
Weight (approx.): 210g
Dimensions (approx.) (from the camera’s lens mounting flange) 69×74 mm
Lens cap Snap-on
Lens hood HB-33 (optional, only available in black)
Lens case CL-0715 (optional)
Tripod collar N/A
External front filter attachment frame Rotatable
External front filter 52mm
Slip-on filter N/A
Built-in/rear filter N/A
Circular polarizing filter II Usable, even with dedicated Lens Hood HB-33.
Infrared compensation scale N/A
Supplied accessories 52mm snap-on front lens cap LC-52
Optional accessories52mm screw-in filters, Rear lens cap LF-1, Flexible lens pouch CL-0715, Bayonet Hood HB-33 (only available in black), Close-up attachment lenses (No. 0, 1, 2)
Aperture ring N/A
Distance scale N/A
By now, you are probably still wondering why is the title 'CASH-IN-D50 Victim #1'?
The answer is because in the same week, there is going to be another 'victim' cashing-in on a resale D50 (influenced by me?) and I am gonna be the technical specialist too. Watch this blog for the account.
technorati tags
Nikon Sigma Photography Nikon+D50 DSLR
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