'ONCE A SENIOR, NOW I'M SENIOR'
This quote refers to what exactly is happening. When Benny bought his Fujifilm S6500fd and showed me how good it was at the bird park, I was determined to embark on a sacred journey to move on to a prosumer. While I was still in the midst of learning the fundamentals of advanced photography, Benny had already reached a certain level. He guided me on the technical 'know-hows' of advanced photography using Fujifilm S6500fd and Panasonic FZ50 as examples. He then later related his experience of contemplating between DSLR and a prosumer. Thus I did my homework and landed myself with a D50. After going out for a few photo sessions, Benny became impressed by the performance of a DSLR and that pushed him over the edge. I talked him into selling off his S6500fd and join the dark side. Indeed, after 3 weeks of asvertisement, he got his reply. A barter-trade that is a win-win dituation for everyone.
Fujifilm S6500fd
(click on image to enlarge)
CLICK POST LINKER BANNER BELOW TO READ FULL ARTICLE
This seller/buyer is from CS and claims to be selling this set for S$1150, but he is more than willing to trade with Benny's Fujifilm s6500fd if Benny tops-up. Since Benny was intending to let go off him S6500fd deal at S$650, he just need to top-up a S$500 balance. However, in order to get his dry cabinet and delivery F.O.C., Benny was willing to top up S$620, making a total of S$1270. It doesn't really makes sense to me when Benny mentioned that the seller bought the dry cabinent at only S$100. Nevertheless, the offer was made and I got no qualms about it, since I am benefitting from it in 'some sense'. :D
Now what will Benny be expecting today in a few hours time?
The items included (all prices interpreted based on Dec 2006 rates):
- Standard D50 package with Nikon 18-55mm kit lens with UV filter (D50 Kit discontinued, Retail S$1170, Resale S$750-800)
- 1gb Kingston SD card (Retail S$30+, consider this as part of standard package F.O.C.)
- Sigma 70-300mm Macro lens Red ring version with Tokina UV filter (~10months old, should be APO MACRO DG, Retail S$330, Resale S$220, filter included)
- Nikon 50mm F1.8 lens with Hoya Skylight filter (One year old, Retail S$185, Resale S$130-150, filter included)
- Nikon Bag (useful bag, should be the same journalist bag as mine, consider this F.O.C.)
- Digital Dry Cabinet-26L (worth retail S$99)
Analysis of the bundle, bascially this is a real damn good deal at a glance, with 2 zoom lenses to cover the whole range from wide to telephoto, plus an additional 50mm prime lens. Basically, he is well-equipped and need not look for other lenses in at least a few months or a year or so time. (1) + (3) + (4) = S$1230 (cheapest calculation). As a side note, the Nikon AF-S 18-55mm kit lens usually marked as resale for S$100-150. Benny's intention to pay S$1270 for the package is definitely worth it, in fact more than his BNP (S$1150) by S$120. For that amount more, he will get the digital dry cabinet and a delivery.
Every lens is equipped with its own UV filter, hence it is not necessary to buy new filters. The lens that are included have covered a complete range from wide to telephoto. There is also no need to buy new lenses at the moment. On top of that, the 50mm f/1.8 prime is good lens to play with for the bokeh.
THE LENSES
Lens construction 7 elements in 5 groups (1 ED glass element and 1 aspherical lens)
70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO APO
Capable of macro photography, this lens has a 1:2 maximum close-up magnification at the 300 mm focal length. It’s the ideal high performance lens for portraits, sports photography, nature photography, and other types of photography that frequently use the telephoto range. It also has a switch for changeover to macro photography at focal lengths between 200mm and 300mm with a maximum close-up magnification from 1:2.9 to 1:2.SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass in this lens provides excellent correction of chromatic aberration.
The only difference between APO and non-APO version is that the APO lens have 3 SLD glass instead of just one.
Left: Without APO Right: With APO (included in package)
Lens Construction 14 Elements in 10 Groups
Angle of View 34.3degrees - 8.2degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 150cm / (95cm Macro mode)59.1 in / (37.4 in. Macro mode)
Maximum Magnification 1:4.1 / 1:2(Macro mode)
Filter Size Diameter 58mm
Dimensions Diameter 76.6mm X Length 122mm3.0 in. X 4.8 in.
Weight 545g/19.2 oz.
AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Compact and lightweight D-type normal lens
Nikon Super Integrated Coating for providing high-contrast image even with maximum aperture
Great depth-of-field control with down to f/22 of f/stops
Left: Without D (older) Right: With D (newer, included in package)
Lens construction 6 elements in 5 groups
Picture angle 46° [31°30' with Nikon digital cameras (Nikon DX format)]
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Minimum f/stop 22
Closest focusing distance 0.45m
Maximum reproduction ratio 1/6.6
Macro focusing N/A
Focus-limit switch: N/A
M/A mode N/A
Focus lock button N/A
Weight (approx.): 155g
Dimensions (approx.) (from the camera’s lens mounting flange) 63.5×39 mm
Lens cap Snap-on
Lens hood HR-2 (optional)
Lens case CL-30S (optional)
Tripod collar N/A
External front filter attachment frame Does not rotate
External front filter 52mm
Slip-on filter N/A
Built-in/rear filter N/A
Circular polarizing filter Usable.
Circular polarizing filter II Usable (also with dedicated Lens Hood HR-2)
AF-3 Usable. (1)
AF-4 Usable. (3): ( ) Indicates maximum number of usable hoods (HN-36 for AF-3/HN-37 for AF-4).
Infrared compensation scale Does have
Supplied accessories 52mm Snap-on front lens cap
Aperture ring Does have
Distance scale Does have
Material of bayonet ring Metal
I'm gonna start hunting for a telephoto lens soon as well, now that the 2 victims are already equipped for telephotos!
Things are gonna change and get hot in here!
Keep the fire burning!
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Nikon Sigma Photography Nikon+D50 DSLR
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