photoman022 wrote:
.......A couple of posters here said they've recently dealt with 42nd and had good experiences. I'll take their word for it! But I would also keep in mind the old saying "let the buyer be ware."
I recently bought a 70-300 Nikkor, the $599 one ($586 @ BH) from 42st Photo. I paid $439 - it is a gray market lens - meaning it is a Nikkor lens acquired by 42nd St however/wherever they got it. I had a choice when I ordered it - Nikon warranty or 42nd St "store warranty" (90 days) - the Nikon warranty meant I was getting one they got from Nikon, i.e.; the same price as B&H or the "store warranty" and a $439 price for a gray market lens. I chose the $439 knowing what I was getting - they didn't pull anything - they told me right up front what I was getting/doing.
The lens is great and I have no regrets - they did try to up sell me all kinds of filters, bag, etc. but I just said "No" to all of it. I wouldn't buy a gray market D800 or D4 or anything like that but for a lens I didn't feel like there was too much risk of needing the warranty. We'll see over time if I made a good / bad decision but I did NOT find it to be a scam.
David Kay wrote:
By doing this he will need to close down his aperture to around f11 or so to keep everyone in focus. His best bet is the Nikon 12-24 or the tokina 12-24. This way he wont have to pump more light into the scene to offset the closed aperture. Yes he could push up the ISO but then with one flash he will start getting to the noise problem if he pushes it too high.
The 12-24 is more of a rectilinear lens so distortion is at a minimum. Not like a fish eye lens at all.
You are correct about the 12-24. I just got one Monday (Tokina) and I'm quite surprised at the lack of distortion. The rep at Roberts Camera (Indy) and I took a lot of pictures with both the Nikon and Tokina and I couldn't tell any difference - both are great lenses but they are also $300 difference in price! :) The Tokina is very solid with great images - and as you said - distortion is not an issue with either lens.