Abe's of Maine
Dec 2, 2018 19:41:57 #
Got a question: I want to buy a NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4 lense.
I've been using Google to research various suppliers of the lense. Many of them offer the lense new at list price of $1,069.95
Now, on Abe's of Maine, it offers the lense new for $655:
https://www.abesofmaine.com/Nikon_AF-S_DX_NIKKOR_16-80mm_f_2_8-4E_ED_VR_Lens_1029042.html
Is this price too good to be true? Could the lense be a gray market item, and if so, is a gray market item of good quality?
Can anyone offer comments that could shed light on this scenario?
Thanks
I've been using Google to research various suppliers of the lense. Many of them offer the lense new at list price of $1,069.95
Now, on Abe's of Maine, it offers the lense new for $655:
https://www.abesofmaine.com/Nikon_AF-S_DX_NIKKOR_16-80mm_f_2_8-4E_ED_VR_Lens_1029042.html
Is this price too good to be true? Could the lense be a gray market item, and if so, is a gray market item of good quality?
Can anyone offer comments that could shed light on this scenario?
Thanks
Dec 2, 2018 19:46:47 #
Take a look at these:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=abe%27s+of+maine§num=0&username=
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=abe%27s+of+maine§num=0&username=
Dec 2, 2018 20:09:58 #
potica69 wrote:
Don't spend a dollar with Abe's. Grey market and stripped down is what they sell. You cannot get Nikon to repair Grey Market products. Buy from reliable sources like B&H.Got a question: I want to buy a NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2... (show quote)
Run as fast as you can from Abe's
Dec 2, 2018 20:23:29 #
What's their return policy?
If it's a genuine new, Nikon LENS, complete with verifiable serial #, you should have no problems.
It's not a lens that's in high demand, I would presume, as it's a moderate wide angle to portrait lens. That aperture for a zoom lens is quite good as most Nikon zooms are f3.5.
For me, not being an outdoor nature shooter, it's an indoor party lens for family group pictures and individual portraits. Even for $655 I think it's over-priced. But then again I think everything Nikon makes is over-priced.
When I use a zoom lens on a rare occasion, I don't want to be able to walk the distance from one end of the zoom to the other (giving me the same optimum image size) and still be in the same room.
Next question is, "Do you need a lens that fast?"
You didn't mention which Nikon body you're shooting with, or how many mega pixels are available in your camera. You also don't want to put a diamond necklace on a sow.
If it's a genuine new, Nikon LENS, complete with verifiable serial #, you should have no problems.
It's not a lens that's in high demand, I would presume, as it's a moderate wide angle to portrait lens. That aperture for a zoom lens is quite good as most Nikon zooms are f3.5.
For me, not being an outdoor nature shooter, it's an indoor party lens for family group pictures and individual portraits. Even for $655 I think it's over-priced. But then again I think everything Nikon makes is over-priced.
When I use a zoom lens on a rare occasion, I don't want to be able to walk the distance from one end of the zoom to the other (giving me the same optimum image size) and still be in the same room.
Next question is, "Do you need a lens that fast?"
You didn't mention which Nikon body you're shooting with, or how many mega pixels are available in your camera. You also don't want to put a diamond necklace on a sow.
Dec 2, 2018 20:36:45 #
Dec 2, 2018 20:39:58 #
Longshadow wrote:
Thank you very, very much. Abe's is now out of the question.
Dec 2, 2018 20:40:21 #
For a $400 savings, I'd say it's worth buying grey market and putting up with Abe's hard sell techniques. You just need to say no to any up selling attempts. It's not any harder than saying no to fries at McDonald's! I've done so in the recent past with OK results. But to each his/her own.
Dec 2, 2018 21:33:53 #
potica69 wrote:
Got a question: I want to buy a NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2... (show quote)
Abe's of Maine is not an authorized Nikon dealer.
From their web site FAQ:
Is Abe's of Maine an Authorized Dealer?
We carry a variety of name brand products, some of which we ARE an Authorized Dealer & some of which we are NOT an Authorized Dealer. If you do not see the “Authorized Dealer” logo on the product detail page then we are NOT authorized for those products. Some notable manufacturer’s that we are NOT Authorized Dealer for include Canon, LG, Nikon, Panasonic, Tamron, Sigma, Samsung & Sony.
The lens itself should be identical to a US market lens, but NikonUSA will not service it. You will need to pay extra for a third party warranty.
Dec 3, 2018 00:44:36 #
This lens is the kit lens to the D500. What many retailers do is split up the kit and sell the lens for less than retail and still make more than if sold as a kit. When I bought my D500 I didn't have that lens and since it is a nice lens I went ahead and bought the kit and saved hundreds of dollars on the lens.
Instead of the D7200, maybe consider getting the D500 kit. Or, you could get the D500 kit, sell the camera body and get the D7200. Personally, I have both and rarely use the D7200 now that I have the D500. I know the D7200 has slightly better resolution than the D500 but if your interested in photography and not pixel counts, there is little discernable difference between the quality of the images.
If the megapixel count thing is still an issue, ask yourself, why would Nikon put a lower resolution sensor in their flagship crop sensor camera?! Because the sensors are the same size but the D500 pixels are larger and since the D500 has a more advanced processor, it can achieve outstanding results with fewer pixels.
Instead of the D7200, maybe consider getting the D500 kit. Or, you could get the D500 kit, sell the camera body and get the D7200. Personally, I have both and rarely use the D7200 now that I have the D500. I know the D7200 has slightly better resolution than the D500 but if your interested in photography and not pixel counts, there is little discernable difference between the quality of the images.
If the megapixel count thing is still an issue, ask yourself, why would Nikon put a lower resolution sensor in their flagship crop sensor camera?! Because the sensors are the same size but the D500 pixels are larger and since the D500 has a more advanced processor, it can achieve outstanding results with fewer pixels.
Dec 3, 2018 03:58:17 #
[quote=potica69]I currently have a Nikon D5100.
Thanks. Hunt around a bit. See if a dealer has a demo model he wants to sell. See what Costco (if there's one near you). Your computer is a great tool and can save you hours or driving here and there. Be patient.The deal you want is out there.
I recently bought a used 3400 (24.2 MP) because my 5000 (12.3 MP) has over 64K clicks and I wanted to boost the pixel count on my images. It was a dealer demo model with only 641 clicks when I checked it. But the real difference was the pixel count. WOW. Same lenses, but what a difference in results.
Good hunting. Be patient.
Thanks. Hunt around a bit. See if a dealer has a demo model he wants to sell. See what Costco (if there's one near you). Your computer is a great tool and can save you hours or driving here and there. Be patient.The deal you want is out there.
I recently bought a used 3400 (24.2 MP) because my 5000 (12.3 MP) has over 64K clicks and I wanted to boost the pixel count on my images. It was a dealer demo model with only 641 clicks when I checked it. But the real difference was the pixel count. WOW. Same lenses, but what a difference in results.
Good hunting. Be patient.
Dec 3, 2018 05:41:19 #
Dec 3, 2018 06:00:46 #
Dec 3, 2018 06:05:44 #
You see that a lot on here. It's how our language "progresses" thru the ages. It's how coupon became kyoopon.
Gasman57 wrote:
What is a lense?
Dec 3, 2018 06:15:43 #
Dec 3, 2018 06:24:51 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
potica69 wrote:
Got a question: I want to buy a NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2... (show quote)
It is most likely a gray market lens, Nikon gray market lenses will not be repaired by NikonUSA nor will they honor any warranty. And, once you order that lens from them, they will be giving you a call and asking if you want a USA version, which will be 1069.00. Or maybe they will ask you if you want a hood, on lens caps, or a box, or a US warranty. Any way they do it you will end up paying the same. It is called bait and switch and they are good.
I bought mine from B&H when they included it at 1/2 price with the purchase of a D500 at Christmas last year. And, they also threw in the vertical grip for free. OH BOY, here it is again.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1214162-REG/nikon_1560_d500_dslr_camera_with.html?sts=pi
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