david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi.

Still new to DSLR and would like some advise on questions related to the purchase of a D7200. Thought, as my questions related specifically to purchase, this might be a more appropriate section area. If not, my apologies advance

I am making the leap to get a D7200 and, as an aspiring hobbiest, looking at one refurbished.

A) I am seeing the refurb bodies on both Nikon website and Cameta, with Nikon being more expensive (actually same $$, but the Cameta body comes with a handful of accessories). Nikon would obviously be factory return, but the Cameta also says that it is. Any worries about difference in "factory refurb" standards between the two, or would both be "Nikon factory"?

B). Cameta refurbs come with a 1 year warranty, but I cannot find what Nikon comes with (sure it is there, but may just be not seeing it. :). )

C) are the extras that cameta seems to package in (like a 32gb card and various other stuff) any good, or should I look for just a basic body and get the rest of the stuff elsewhere

D) I have, via a purchase from UGG member, the main lens I want - a 70-200 f2.8G AF-S FX lens, purchased specifically for my primary goal of shooting indoor BBall in average to poorly lit HS gyms, but I would also like a shorter lens as well. Some of the kits have a 18-140 f3.5-5.6G DX AF VR, which, taking into account the crop factor on the FX lens, might give me a shorter "walking around" lens to supplement the 70-200 FX with a bit of overlap while I learn the craft. Thoughts on this lens combined with the D7200 (for about $500 dollars incremental). Is there a different lens you might point me towards?

Thanks in advance. Learning a lot from all of you. As i start clicking will, post looking for advice

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Nikon refurbs have a 90 day warranty.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

There really is no such thing as a factory refurbished camera because the cameras do not go back to the factory. They are serviced at one of the manufacturers local service facilities. The Cameta unit was probably refurbished by Nikon service. Nikon refurbs come with a 6 month warranty, Canon is one year, same as Cameta. The D7200 is a really nice camera, I have one. But if you can afford a refurbished D500, you should get one. The D7200 is nice, the D500 is really nice. I use my D500 far more than my D7200.
The 16-80 'kit' lenses for the D500 is a really nice lens and would be the perfect mate to your 70-200.
Basically the stuff Cameta is tossing in is free so, no big deal, get the camera from Cameta. You get a longer warranty, which you will probably never need to use, and free stuff. I've dealt with Cameta in the past without any problems.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I thought I had read Nikon's refurb warranty was 6 months but you are correct, I checked on their website site and it states 90 day limited warranty.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The extras from Cameta are good if you want them. You want the camera, so shop for the best price.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Go with Cameta. I bought mine from them about 4 years ago. It came with a good Transcend 32GB card and a cleaning kit. I could not be happier with the camera or their service.

I have the 18-105mm lens which I am happy with, but had the 18-140 been available, I would have gone that route instead.

You will love the camera.

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

I've bought a bunch of stuff from Cameta, including cameras, lenses etc. Never had a problem. Good people to deal with. See if they will offer you a deal on JUST the D7200. You probably don't need the extra stuff.
Good luck.
ps. You are going to love the D7200.

Dave

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In both cases the refurb camera has been checked by Nikon. Nikon offers a 90 days warranty while Cameta makes it to a whole year.
Go Cameta.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Nikon's refurbished warranty is 90 days. Cameta tacks on another 270 days of an independent warranty, for a total of one year. I have purchased from both companies and have always received excellent photographic equipment.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

I've bought all my Nikons as refurb from Cameta starting with a D5000 and have moved up over the years to a D7200. Only had 1 problem that involved the lens mounting ring and when Nikon wanted to charge > $150, Cameta went to battle for me and had Nikon agree to a "courtesy" repair. I've also bought my flashes as refurb (SB 600 and 700) and lenses (these were new but with the bundle price were less than individual pricing).
What sold me on Cameta was their 1yr warranty that's included. They use Mack Photo as the repair service which is one of the most reputable in the business.
My only additional suggestion is that you call rather than buy online. Peter has been an excellent resource and he has been able to help build bundles that align with my needs. But to your question if a refurb is a good value, IMHO the answer is a solid "yes".

Ira

Nikon is running a sale on their refurbished equipment till August 21st. I bought a refurbished d7200 from Adaroma a while ago. It was like new. It came with everything as new camera does except the stripe was a generic Nikon strap, not the D7200 strap (who cares what the strap says, I never us it anyway) and different packaging. I believe the warrantee on Nikon refurbished is 90 days. I would by it from Cameta if the price was the same and had a year warrantee. Usually the extras, the stores offer, are not worth much.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/refurbished-cameras.page?cid=img_en_us:EML:EC:8182017:na:2017-08-18_Refurbished-Start:na:img:RefurbBanner&ET_CID=1496989&ET_RID=326592891

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

The D7200 is a great choice and the refurbs are a good route to go. I have the D5300
and have great luck shooting indoor basketball with either the prime 50mm f1.4 if you can be
under the hoop, or if you don't like to be that close the 85mm 1.8 works great as well.
I have lightroom and photoshop so I can crop and adjust as needed in there rather
than using a zoom to shoot and crop in real time.
My son used the 85 to shoot his bball buddies and the school has used a few of his pics
for the paper and website. The gym we have is not well lit and we end up shooting
at iso 800,1/500 shutter at f2. Your 7200 may be able to shoot at higher iso with
the 70-200 2.8 you have and be great. I have the 18-140 and it is a great walk around
lens but is not fast enough for indoor sports unless the gym is nice and bright.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Still new to DSLR and would like some advise on questions related to the purchase of a D7200. Thought, as my questions related specifically to purchase, this might be a more appropriate section area. If not, my apologies advance

I am making the leap to get a D7200 and, as an aspiring hobbiest, looking at one refurbished.

A) I am seeing the refurb bodies on both Nikon website and Cameta, with Nikon being more expensive (actually same $$, but the Cameta body comes with a handful of accessories). Nikon would obviously be factory return, but the Cameta also says that it is. Any worries about difference in "factory refurb" standards between the two, or would both be "Nikon factory"?

I have purchased three factory refurb cameras from Cameta. All were from Nikon. Also two Sony cameras from them. Cameta has been rock solid. I avoid all third-party refurbs having been bitten once BUT NOT BY CAMETA. Cameta has been great to take back product that I didn't like. One embarrassing time because I didn't read the manual closely enough. They are a smaller outfit and give more personal service.

B). Cameta refurbs come with a 1 year warranty, but I cannot find what Nikon comes with (sure it is there, but may just be not seeing it. :). )
Other sources including Nikon (and Canon) give a 90 day warranty.

C) are the extras that cameta seems to package in (like a 32gb card and various other stuff) any good, or should I look for just a basic body and get the rest of the stuff elsewhere
Most of that stuff from ALL vendors is junk, but not all. This is the only way they can compete as the prices are fixed by CaNik. Call Cameta and ask for Enzo. He has been selling to me for years. Tell him David Pittle sent you. He'll try to work it out. Cameta has sometimes worked with me to put together a kit that includes what I want. As long as it doesn't cost them more, they might do so for you.

D) I have, via a purchase from UGG member, the main lens I want - a 70-200 f2.8G AF-S FX lens, purchased specifically for my primary goal of shooting indoor BBall in average to poorly lit HS gyms, but I would also like a shorter lens as well. Some of the kits have a 18-140 f3.5-5.6G DX AF VR, which, taking into account the crop factor on the FX lens, might give me a shorter "walking around" lens to supplement the 70-200 FX with a bit of overlap while I learn the craft. Thoughts on this lens combined with the D7200 (for about $500 dollars incremental). Is there a different lens you might point me towards?

I personally like the 18-140. I've never liked the 70-anything. Having to change lenses at the 50-70mm point is at best inconvenient and at worst costs good shots. My preference is the 18-200mm VR or VRII. But this depends on what kind of photography you do. I am often called upon to shoot parties and need to go from some close in shot to a wide-angle group very quickly. I used to carry a 50mm f1.4 for shooting in dark areas, but my D7200 and now my Sony a6300 does ISO 6400-12800 close to noiselessly

Thanks in advance. Learning a lot from all of you. As i start clicking will, post looking for advice[/quote]

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

The D7200 is a good camera, and by buying refurbished you are making it possible to buy a better camera for less.


When purchasing a refurb, it is best to deal with a "trusted vendor". That has been described as the ABC's of vendors - Adorama, B&H, Cameta! Of course there are others, but buying from one of those three will ensure getting a good product, good service, and a good return policy. I think it is safe to assume that their cameras have been inspected and refurbished by a Nikon-approved service center, but if you want to hear it from them, just call. Comparing prices and "packages" is a very good idea.


Nikon provides a 90-day warranty.


The extras are designed to sweeten the deal. Nikon sets prices for their new camera gear, so probably it is the same situation for refurbished. This is how the vendors give their customers an additional "discount" on purchase. When I purchased my new camera from B&H at the sale price authorized by Nikon, the retail value of the extras was over $100.00. They even had two different "packages" to choose from! So I got the combination I liked best and was very happy. So unless the extras are things you do not want or need, it can be a very good deal!


You don't mention if the version of the 70-200mm has VR, which I hope it does. There are three lenses that are considered Nikon classics, and the 70-200mm f/2.8 is one of them. The other two are the 14-24mm f/2.8 and the 24-70mm f/2.8, also FX lenses. I have the 24-70mm - older version without VR - and love it. It is the workhorse of my lenses. Before purchasing the D810 [FX] I used it on my D7000 [DX], and it is a great lens on either camera - just have to keep the crop factor in mind.

Nikon is having a refurbished sale now through August 21 with 10% off. Pre-owned is also a good option, from Adorama or B&H, but make sure you know which model you want, and then make sure the one you are purchasing is the right one. Since you already have the 70-200mm, I recommend make your choice of lenses the best you can afford. f/2.8 lenses tend to be more expensive, but in general are very good. Also a lens like the 18-140mm has too much overlap of focal lengths. You would be better off with a lens like the 16-80mm VR f/2.8 DX as a walk around lens.

Go to Nikon's website and do a comparison. You will see that for basic specs, there are a lot of similarities. But the differences are what you should look at: Maximum angle of view, minimum focus distance, filter size, and focal length range. I added in focal length range because the longer that range, the less likely a lens will be sharp throughout all or most of its focal lengths.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am likely to work with Cameta, and now with the contacts suggested will call them to see if we can work out a package with both the D7200 body and the walksbout lens that I should have.

Will post as I get going. Much to learn.....