DSLR bodies versus kits
Oct 1, 2017 19:27:13 #
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums have kept it under control (with the help of the checkbook balance). That doesn't keep me from being curious though. Just as a for instance, I looked at Amazon for the Canon EOS 5D Mark 4. A number of items came up. The first was body only for $3,299. Then there is a kit for $3,299 which includes memory cards, a grip, bag, light and a number of other items. There are variations on the kit with other combinations of accessories in about the same price range. Seems like a no-brainer. Assuming the bodes are really the same, is there any reason not to buy the kit? Am I missing something? Thanks
Oct 1, 2017 19:33:25 #
Not everything sold at Amazon is sold by Amazon. Some of what is sold may be grey market. Nothing is for nothing. You may get a good deal, but read the fine print ... twice!
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Oct 1, 2017 19:40:56 #
Add to the gray market issue the fact that a lot of times the “bonus items” are really cheap, throw-away stuff.
Most members of this forum counsel staying with the bigger, stronger camera houses, tho sometimes local retailers will offer some nice deals with very good, local service. /Ralph
Most members of this forum counsel staying with the bigger, stronger camera houses, tho sometimes local retailers will offer some nice deals with very good, local service. /Ralph
Oct 1, 2017 20:06:36 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
The bodies are the same regardless of any additional kits, just as they are the same for grey market and US. The difference is in the warranty. Make sure you are buying from an authorized Canon dealer and that the warranty is actually Canon's US warranty. Anything that says it has a seller's warranty or international warranty is almost certainly grey market. As far as the kits, they usually contain something of interest, even if it is only a lens cleaning brush. I got a nice little Canon lens cleaning kit with one of my cameras. The rest of the junk I threw away.
If and when you do decide to buy be sure to do your research on the seller.
BTW, at the price you quoted the cameras are probably US warrantied. The kits are just a come-on. Authorized dealers cannot lower the price set by the manufacturer for the camera but they can throw in some trinkets to entice buyers.
Oct 1, 2017 20:09:18 #
Oct 1, 2017 20:30:30 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
Assuming you are buying from an authorized dealer, some places, like B&H Photo, will offer extra goodies as an incentive to buy from them. Canon, Nikon, and I am sure others, fix the prices that retailers may charge for their products, so some retailers add extras (call them kits if you must) to draw customers to their stores for purchase. The camera body is the same, unless you purchase from a grey market dealer, then it is buyer beware. Be sure to google the dealer before buying to make sure there are not a lot of complaints on them. There are many trusted dealers on the internet, but there are many more scams. Amazon is okay, but they are just a broker for many dealers and not an individual retailer for anything specific. For camera equipment try B&H Photo, Adorama, KEH for great deals and great service. You may also buy directly from Canon for refurbished equipment, but you will not be offered any extras from Canon.
Oct 1, 2017 21:17:38 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
If both are a USA body, you are not missing anything.
For example, Cameta has kits that I have bought in the past. With Cameta I have spoken with managers and traded the useless stuff in the kit for batteries and memory cards. I let them keep the lion's share and it's a win for both of us. BUT, they use a slower mail service that cost less.
B&H on the other hand spends your money on priority mail. Most take that because they just CAN'T wait another 2-3 days.
It's not rocket science!!
SS
Oct 2, 2017 06:17:21 #
Even if the body is a USA-warranty body - the reason for all the "stuff" is that licensed retailers are not allowed to lower the prices to get you to buy from them - so instead they throw in a low of "stuff". Some of it may be useful (a brand-name memory card, for example), but a lot of it is not the quality you would probably actually purchase.
Oct 2, 2017 06:26:44 #
SharpShooter wrote:
If both are a USA body, you are not missing anythi... (show quote)
No, its rocket shipping !!
Oct 2, 2017 06:37:54 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
Official Canon kits come in a single box with body and a lens. If you want that particular lens, you will get it at a reduced price. Kits offered by dealers generally offer little of value, although I have gotten a Nikon messenger bag, good SD cards, extra batteries, and a couple of other worthwhile items. See what in the kit and decide if you will use it or stick it on a shelf.
Oct 2, 2017 07:36:35 #
When I went from a Canon Rebel to a Nikon, I went for the kit/bundle largely because I wanted the bag, battery, charger, SD cards and cleaning kit. On the other hand, the filters, extenders, tripod and most of the other stuff (all low quality) sits in a box on my closet shelf. I ended up purchasing a good lens, UV and CP filters from B&H, separately. If you can't use the stuff they throw in the kit, it's not worth your money especially if you already have all the peripherals.
Oct 2, 2017 09:22:36 #
Get tired of hearing about GAS attacks. Stupid. If you are going to spend this amount of money, then you must be a photographer, and if you are a photographer, then you should not have to ask all these dumb questions.
Oct 2, 2017 10:26:16 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
Dealers bundle a body or body and lens with all that stuff to, in effect, "give you a discount" on the camera. Many bundles are filled with cheap, off-brand items that aren't really usable, although sometimes the memory cards, cables, and batteries are okay. I once got a plastic Chinese tripod that was broken in the package... The dealer didn't want it back, and didn't replace it, either.
Oct 2, 2017 10:28:57 #
When it comes to buying new cameras, I suggest you stick with B&H, Adorama, etc. They sell good stuff and often have real deals with lenses and other accessories.
Oct 2, 2017 11:06:22 #
pmsc70d wrote:
I have the occasional GAS attacks, but so far Tums... (show quote)
Look to purchase your cameras from either B&H Video Photo or Adorama. You WILL be treated right and get a US product unless otherwise stated in the description. They too will try to entice you to buy from them with a small grab bag of stuff they sometimes include with your purchase. I got a free case and a free battery with the purchase of my 7D Mark II when I got it from B&H. I would have bought it with or without the stuff from them. I know I'll get a great product and great customer service from them.
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