Ordered and Received New Merchandise!

[nelson_sanjoy]

I have adored these 2 equipments for quite some time.
And now after reading and "googling" so much and taking into account all practicalities I finally ordered today.
Out of the 2 things 1 is a lens and another is non optical but still really essential according to me.

I had to decide between IS and aperture stop, read the MTF charts ,ISO 12233 Crop Comparison and still keep sanity doing all these ;)

Now after deciding on the equipment I had to decide about the place to buy from so that I get the best deals but with mental satisfaction.

Finally all of these were ordered from B&H, their website is www.bhphotovideo.com. In fact all of my camera, lenses and camcorder are from them.

I will share and let you know as and when I receive the products till then keep guessing :) I have already given enough of hints ;) .

I am really excited and eagerly waiting for the delivery.

Some more things are on my cards but I have to go slow on them.

Gracias

[KrishnenduKes]

Discussion Approved

Good to know that you have ordered all of your stuff from B&H. A lot of people I know have done it. Apparently it is one of the most reliable places to buy stuff from.

[Vicky]

I had to decide between IS and aperture stop

Gracias

I have a hunch this is between the 70-200 f4 L IS and the 70-200 f2.8 L non IS;)

but, what's with the ISO 12233:confused::eek:

[KrishnenduKes]

I have a hunch this is between the 70-200 f4 L IS and the 70-200 f2.8 L non IS;)


Your hunches are probably correct. But by Jove, these are damn expensive equipment!

[nelson_sanjoy]

Discussion Approved

Good to know that you have ordered all of your stuff from B&H. A lot of people I know have done it. Apparently it is one of the most reliable places to buy stuff from.

Yes they are a very decent place with good deals to buy quality and professional stuff with complete peace of mind. Their inventory is really something...


but, what's with the ISO 12233:confused::eek:

I got it from the below site :
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Help/ISO-12233.aspx

Apart from the MTF charts which are available in Canon's website these also seem to be good specially when you need to compare 2 lenses head-to-head.

[Sarao]

Dont take me otherwise, but I really dont see any sense behind "Kaun guess Karega mera equipment.." thingy.

[nelson_sanjoy]

If anyone is looking out for lenses from U.S. please see for refurbished / reconditioned lenses from Bhphotovideo .They are a really good deal that come with a 90 day guarantee and since they are direct Canon authorised dealers - its gives you peace of mind. I have even heard Canon servicing lenes out of warranty from BHPV.
Also Adorama has a good used products store – you can chose from their website and ask your friends in U.S. to get these lenses .Even Keh.com is supposed to be good.

In this thread I just wanted to share about how I went on choosing things after seeing various websites and reports and testing it personally and from where I actually bought. I will say more about the equipments when they arrive.

[KrishnenduKes]

In this thread I just wanted to share about how I went on choosing things after seeing various websites and reports and testing it personally and from where I actually bought. I will say more about the equipments when they arrive.

Thanks for the thoughts. Appreciate it. You can go into details as well.

[nelson_sanjoy]

My wife just informed that she recieved some boxes from UPS.

[Bibudesh]

this curiosity is killing me. m really getting restless about whats there in the box... Nelson please disclose the secret for heaven sake !..


(:eek: I think the april fool box I had sent arrived late .. damn Indian Post)

[nelson_sanjoy]

@SP - Sorry for killing you (with curiosity) :) I was very occupied in fact still am .

Actually @Vicky already guessed one half.

Now breaking the suspense I took some pics of the new equipments in a hurry ... I promise to post more aesthetic pics this weekend

First the Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with an el cheapo head 3025 (used from BHP)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3509578194_28014b86df_b.jpg
taken by my new lens (pics below) .


Taken by my 50mm...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3508769173_51d10b2232_b.jpg
Sorry about the pinkish tinge - its my lamp...

Next the tripod mount ring :
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3508770059_289b0de16b_b.jpg

And finally the lens ...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3509580900_c1855b97c1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3508771937_225cd19a3f_b.jpg

A delighted me :)) - My first pic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3509575668_ed2ceb05fb_b.jpg
Actually a test of image sharpness and IS even at 0.2 sec (1/5) hand held using 70-200 f/4 L IS USM...

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

nice ^_^..real nice

[Aryan]

A Manfrotto tripod with a 70-200 F4 IS!! Nice, real nice. :) Now, show us some shots with the F4 IS! :D

[KrishnenduKes]

Wow! Congrats. This is real neat. Lets have a look at some good photographs now.

[Vicky]

Wow! congrats on the new gear mate!

The items lined up on my purchase radar in order of importance are..

1. 40D / 50D with Grip (first I need to sell off my 400D setup)
2. 400 5.6 L
3. 70-200 f/4 L IS

Keeping fingers crossed:)

[KrishnenduKes]

Wow! congrats on the new gear mate!

The items lined up on my purchase radar in order of importance are..

1. 40D / 50D with Grip (first I need to sell off my 400D setup)
2. 400 5.6 L
3. 70-200 f/4 L IS

Keeping fingers crossed:)

I have been eyeing the 400 f5.6 for a while now. But I guess I will just look at it from a distance for quite a while...

[Xavier]

Congrats Nelson! Absolute drool maal! :D How much did the L cost?

[nelson_sanjoy]

nice ^_^..real nice

Thanks...

A Manfrotto tripod with a 70-200 F4 IS!! Nice, real nice. :) Now, show us some shots with the F4 IS! :D

Sure @Aryan - Even I am eagerly waiting for this weekend. I will try to do a small writeup about how I went ahead choosing F4 IS .

Wow! Congrats. This is real neat. Lets have a look at some good photographs now.

Sure Kenda. I will try to click something good by this weekend.

Wow! congrats on the new gear mate!

The items lined up on my purchase radar in order of importance are..

1. 40D / 50D with Grip (first I need to sell off my 400D setup)
2. 400 5.6 L
3. 70-200 f/4 L IS

Keeping fingers crossed:)

Wow that would be quite a gear . Since 2 of your lenses are teles try to include a good tripod and the tripod mount ring for 70-200 f/4 IS .Personally I feel a sturdy Tripod with a remote brings out the ultimate sharpness in a lens.
P.S.Currently there is a discount going on for select canon gear so you may want to capitalise on it.

Congrats Nelson! Absolute drool maal! :D How much did the L cost?

Ok the whole setup was actually a juggad from BHPV mostly - I trust them blindly

Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS USM - 925$ (It is a demo item refurbished by Canon and brand new got from BHPV - originally 1100$ )
Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB with 3025 head - 130$ (A used one from BHPV with condition 9+ - originally 200$ ).
Tripod Ring Mount - 80$ (Got it locally from a professional photographer - originally 140$ )

[Aryan]

@Nelson: A few details about the ordering process (including the web address of the website that you ordered from) would really help people like me. :) Details like, how much time did they take to deliver the whole shipment, total costs incurred (including taxes on reaching your home/ Indian shores, if any), the condition of the shipment after it reached your home, etc.

Please do share these kind of details, if possible, and who knows I might just order something from that website myself. ;) Especially that Manfrotto used tripod for 130$ is an absolute steal I believe. Great deal, all in all. :)

P.S: May be the title of this thread needs a name change. ;)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I have been eyeing the 400 f5.6 for a while now. But I guess I will just look at it from a distance for quite a while...


you are eying the 400 from a distance..i am eyeing the K20 from a distance even now..damn!

[KrishnenduKes]

@Nelson: A few details about the ordering process (including the web address of the website that you ordered from) would really help people like me. :) Details like, how much time did they take to deliver the whole shipment, total costs incurred (including taxes on reaching your home/ Indian shores, if any), the condition of the shipment after it reached your home, etc.

I second this.

[nelson_sanjoy]

@Nelson: A few details about the ordering process (including the web address of the website that you ordered from) would really help people like me. :) Details like, how much time did they take to deliver the whole shipment, total costs incurred (including taxes on reaching your home/ Indian shores, if any), the condition of the shipment after it reached your home, etc.

Please do share these kind of details, if possible, and who knows I might just order something from that website myself. ;) Especially that Manfrotto used tripod for 130$ is an absolute steal I believe. Great deal, all in all. :)

P.S: May be the title of this thread needs a name change. ;)

As I already told I got it from the website www.bhphotovideo.com - They have a huge inventory (shop) in Newyork and supply products all over U.S. . They are also known for giving the best price with complete satisfaction. Even their used / company refurbished products come with warranty.My experience with them has been really great .

You know what ,they even have a sister site http://www.bhindia.com/ which is located at Pune off Boat club road.They have all the contact no.s in the site . Maybe you can call them up and give it a try.The duty and conversion rates are also there. If you get something on them please inform us.

About my shipment I choose normal shipping from UPS which takes around 3-5 business days . It costed me 15$ (for lens + tripod) and also I paid no tax since I am temporarily staying in a city which doesnt require one :) The shipment came in pristine condition since they had packed it beautifully (with full shock protection). The package was so huge that my wife was really disappointed after seeing the actual lens :)

I am not sure whether they can directly ship things from NY to India becuase I think that involves to much hassles but you can always enquire using their toll free no.

Let me know if you have any more questions .BTW what are you looking for ?Asking becuase I can inform you if I come across something of your likes. Canon has already announced a discount on selected from 4th May - you can see the discounts in the websites above.

I second this.

Thanks for changing the thread title ...

[Aryan]

@Nelson: Thanks for the detailed post above. From your post, what I gather is this:

- After I order, say, a lens from B&H Photo Video website, they will send the product first to their India office?

- From there, the Pune office will dispatch it to me, in Delhi? :confused:

Is this what you say? Or, I guess I have got it wrong.

[nelson_sanjoy]

@Nelson: Thanks for the detailed post above. From your post, what I gather is this:

- After I order, say, a lens from B&H Photo Video website, they will send the product first to their India office?

- From there, the Pune office will dispatch it to me, in Delhi? :confused:

Is this what you say? Or, I guess I have got it wrong.

@Aryan - i am not sure about how they function internally .They may directly get their goods from Japan or else where rather than from U.S. (again a guess)...
We can get these questions clarified from these no.s found in BHIndia webite .Their toll free is 1800 22 8008 and Pune's no is 912030521900.

And also when you order, you order from BHIndia website so you dont need to bother about how they are going to deliver. The website has guidelines to calculate duty and conversion rates also.

What I guess is - BHIndia maintains the inventory in Pune and when you order it, ships it to Delhi or wherever you want.

Has anyone from Pune been to the BHIndia store ?

[Aryan]

I just went through the website, and it says the customs duty for getting lenses is 31%! :(

[KrishnenduKes]

I just went through the website, and it says the customs duty for getting lenses is 31%! :(

Which is fine I think, you get an international warranty. Just compare with the prices that you get in India. And you do not always get what you want. I think it is worth checking out both. And also for other products like Tripods and monopods, 2nds etc... which one would not get off the shelf here.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Which is fine I think, you get an international warranty. Just compare with the prices that you get in India. And you do not always get what you want. I think it is worth checking out both. And also for other products like Tripods and monopods, 2nds etc... which one would not get off the shelf here.

Yes I know about the duty thingy but that is something we need to pay to our govt.
We cannot compare them with grey but it would be intertesting to compare the prices from them and company dealers - something like an 'L' lens from them and Canon Dealers.

If somone is going there - please let us know if they really have all those instock as seen in their website or we need to order .
Also as pointed by Kenda we would be getting warranty which means complete peace of mind. Specially you may not want to risk an 'L' lens from grey market.Sometimes its not their fault also - camera and lenses are very sensitive & delicate objects and you dont know how they were shipped.

Also it will be good news for non Nikcanoners.

[nelson_sanjoy]

PLease check this link for some awesome deals

http://community.the-digital-picture.com/blogs/Photography-Deals/Default.aspx

Update :Just got macroed :)

[KrishnenduKes]

Update :Just got macroed :)

Can we have more on this please?

[Aryan]

@Nelson: Which lens? The 100mm f2.8 USM Macro Lens? ;)

[nelson_sanjoy]

Can we have more on this please?

@Nelson: Which lens? The 100mm f2.8 USM Macro Lens? ;)

Kenda - Aryan caught me :) . yes its the Canon 100 f/2.8 USM Macro from . Its canon refurbished from Adorama. Was waiting for a decent deal on this lens for a long time.

Most probably would be getting tomorrow.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Kenda - Aryan caught me :) . yes its the Canon 100 f/2.8 USM Macro from . Its canon refurbished from Adorama. Was waiting for a decent deal on this lens for a long time.

Most probably would be getting tomorrow.

congrats Nelson.have a blast.

anvancy

[Aryan]

Amazing! Good to know I was right, for a change. :p The 100mm macro lens is an amazing piece of glass. I am pretty sure you would absolutely love the quality of the pictures you shoot with the 100. :)

Do share some sample pictures with us, once you get your hands 'dirty' with the f2.8! ;)

[Vicky]

congrats mate!

[nelson_sanjoy]

Thanks Kenda , Aryan and Vicky.

I will post some pics shortly ...

Will need some help from you guys to pullout some decent pics atleast :)

Canon 100 f/2.8 macro was my most rented lens and so finally bought it when I got a good deal.

[Aryan]

@Nelson: And I bet my arse on the fact that you won't regret getting the 100mm macro lens. Although, shooting at 1:1 does take whole lot of patience from the photographer (apart from LOADS of energy ofcourse! :D), but the ultimate result is simply outstanding.

The 100mm macro lens can also be used as a 100mm short telephoto lens, and with an aperture of f2.8, the background just goes creamy blur! :D I TOTALLY love this lens of mine.

[KrishnenduKes]

@Nelson: And I bet my arse on the fact that you won't regret getting the 100mm macro lens. Although, shooting at 1:1 does take whole lot of patience from the photographer (apart from LOADS of energy ofcourse! :D), but the ultimate result is simply outstanding.

The 100mm macro lens can also be used as a 100mm short telephoto lens, and with an aperture of f2.8, the background just goes creamy blur! :D I TOTALLY love this lens of mine.

Totally agree with Aryan here. I borrowed this lens from Aryan for a short while and I was really very happy using it. In fact I have even posted photographs here shot with that the lens.

[nelson_sanjoy]

@Nelson: And I bet my arse on the fact that you won't regret getting the 100mm macro lens. Although, shooting at 1:1 does take whole lot of patience from the photographer (apart from LOADS of energy ofcourse! :D), but the ultimate result is simply outstanding.

The 100mm macro lens can also be used as a 100mm short telephoto lens, and with an aperture of f2.8, the background just goes creamy blur! :D I TOTALLY love this lens of mine.

As I siad I already used it for quite sometime renting from stores and could not justify more for not having this lens. Its the most fun per dollar lens from Canon apart from 50mm f/1.8.

Totally agree with Aryan here. I borrowed this lens from Aryan for a short while and I was really very happy using it. In fact I have even posted photographs here shot with that the lens.

Yes Kenda I saw that .A lens like Canon 100 f/2.8 USM takes out a lot of photographer in you. I was surprised to read where Ken Rockwell says it's sharper than the Nikkor counterpart which is double the price but has VR.


I recieved the lens yesterday in Canon Box in pristine condition eventough it had the refurbished "sticker" but looked and felt exactly like a new one. Need to plan something for this weekend :).

[Aryan]

@Nelson: We all hope to see some macro magic off your "new" 100mm Canon macro! ;)

[KrishnenduKes]

Need to plan something for this weekend :).

Weekend is nearly over!

[nelson_sanjoy]

Weekend is nearly over!

I took some flower macros and portraits this weekend with the new lens. Need to move my lazy bum and upload them :) - Will show them soon and await C&C.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I took some flower macros and portraits this weekend with the new lens. Need to move my lazy bum and upload them :) - Will show them soon and await C&C.

will be waiting for that.

anvancy

[nelson_sanjoy]

Ohhk after long some macros ...

This is SOOC JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/3907568169_9d72f8369f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelson_sanjoy/3907568169/sizes/l/)
Click to see bigger image

These are a bit PPed though very minimal ( since I know that much only:) )
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3908348674_b987958f56.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelson_sanjoy/3908348674/sizes/l/)
Click to see bigger image

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3907573233_938e12d6c4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelson_sanjoy/3907573233/sizes/l/)
Click to see bigger image

And a portrait of a friend of mine:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3908354592_8127cf21e2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelson_sanjoy/3908354592/sizes/l/)
Click to see bigger image

[KrishnenduKes]

Ohhk after long some macros ...

This is SOOC JPG

These are not bad! And the portrait is really nice.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Thanks Kenda :)