I should start blogging again...

A lot has happened in the past year...Convocation, China, Banff, Grad studies, Thesis ideas...Stay tuned!

The police have found my camera!

The police have found my camera!
I got a message today and the police have found my camera. What a
surprise. Kudos to the Winnipeg police services. Goes to show crime
doesn't pay lol. I think I will sell my d3000 to recouperate the cost.
Sent from my iPod

My Watched eBay Items

Telephoto Lenses are supposed to increase the zoom of the lenses...

3.2X Telephoto Lens for Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm 55-200mm - $54.95 US + $16.95 US (Shipping)

.45x Wide Angle Lens for Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm 55-200mm - $34.95 US + $16.95 US (Shipping)

WIDE ANGLE + 2X LENS FOR NIKON D3000 D5000 D40 D60 D90 - $45.00 US + $29.95 US (Shipping)

0.45x Super Wide Angle Macro Lens For Nikon D3000 D5000 - $27.98 US + $10.50 US (Shipping)

2X PRO TELEPHOTO Lens FOR Nikon D200 D300S D3000 D5000 - $24.98 US + $10.50 US (Shipping) (Will only work on the 18-55mm VR lens)

2X PRO TELE Lens FOR Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S - $24.98 US + $10.50 US (Shipping)

2X TELEPHOTO LENS FOR NIKON D5000 D3000 D90 D80 D60 - $29.99 US + $8.99 US (Shipping)

What STEALS!

I came across these ads on Kijiji...too bad I already bought my camera...

In Winnipeg, there is this hot deal...

View larger image

Date Listed 28-Apr-10 Price $750.00 Address 1305 Taylor Ave, Winnipeg, MB, Canada View map

Brand New Nikon D5000 Digital Camera for sale immediately!

I have brand new Nikon D5000 Digital Camera for sale, in which it has hardly been used. The lens size is 18 - 105, which takes amazing quality photos, including high resolution and videos. This digital camera comes with an 8GB memory card, both live, and manual view. For those who love the manuel control zoom, it has a manuel zoom in and zoom out wheel.

Also, it comes with Lowepro camera case, lens hood, lithium ion battery and charger so you do not have to wait until the battery is completely drained before charging it. This D5000 that I am selling also has a built in flash, and multiple shooting modes.

Wow a D5000 with 18-105 is $900, but you are also getting a 8GB card, a Lowepro bag, and perhaps it seems like a second battery. $750 is a really good deal!

In Ottawa, there is this crazy deal...

Nikon D80 with Nikon 18-200 VR
Like new condition / 12 months old Comes with original receipts and boxes. Transferable warranty with Henry's up to 2012. Asking $850

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

When you look at this other ad...

Brand New Nikon 18-200mm VR II IF-ED Lens (AF-S DX)
Brand new in box. See link for details. ...

$850.00

I guess the only difference is that the second one is a VRII so it is the newest model. In any case buying the D80 with the 18-200 for just $850 is such a steal. Sure enough you don't get video or live view but it is a solid body and for sure you can sell the body for $500 easily in today's market and a couple years from now it will still be worth $400.

Nikon 55-200 mm VR Lens Part 4

I went to Futureshop and I got my way one way or another. First I brought up the $699.99 D3000 bundle and how the 55-200 lens should only cost $200. Since the D5000 with 18-55 is also on sale this week for $649.99, and the bundle with 55-200 is $899. Therefore the 55-200 would cost $250. There is no reason why a more expensive camera should be paired with the same but more expensive lens. That works against logic. For whatever reason/excuse they stood behind their pricing philosophy and how it is something to do with Nikon Canada. So anyways, I brought out Best Buy's deal of the week. The D5000 for $649.99 and the 55-200 for just another $219.99 and the free photo frame worth $69. They were more than willing to match their offer. Fine, I got almost $25 back and a free 9" digital photo frame worth $89.99.

In summary,

Nikon D5000 -- $649.99

55-200mm VR lens -- $217.99

Panasonic 8GB class 10 SD card -- $24.99

Lowepro Sling 100 -- $62.99

Digipower spare battery -- $38.69

4 year extended warranty -- $149.99

Free 9" Digital Photo Frame -- $0.00 ($89.99 value)

Total (after taxes) = $1281.99

Nikon 55-200 mm VR Lens Part 3

This shopping is becoming such a pain! I hate the feeling of being ripped off. I'm a student and I try to save every penny. The flyers came in today for sales beginning Friday. Best Buy will be selling the Nikon D5000 for $649.99 and the second (55-200mm VR) lens for another $219.99. So in total the bundle will only cost $870. That is $30 cheaper than Futureshop's bundle price last week. In addition Futureshop is selling the Nikon D3000 with 18-55 mm VR lens for $499.99 and the bundle with two lenses for $699.99. Clearly the second lens should only cost $200.00. I paid $239.99 for that same lens last Saturday. Tomorrow I'm going to reason things out with them. First I will start by using the Nikon D3000 as an example. If they won't budge I will use Best Buy's price against them. Did mention that Best Buy is also giving a Digital Photo Frame? Last week they were giving a 500 GB Hard Drive?

Nikon 55-200 mm VR Lens Part 2

So I went yesterday and Steve wasn't working but another coworker told me that he is now in the cell phone department but will be in today. Well for whatever reason Steve wasn't in and I didn't want to keep going back and forth so I just dealt with whoever was available. This is what ended up happening. Since I bought the camera for $649.98, they offered me the second (55-200mm VR) lens for $249.99 which would bring the price to $899.99. I told them I have the coupon for discounts on camera and accessories. If I'm paying $250, I should qualify for $10 off so he agreed to sell it to me for $240 plus taxes. It seems like everyone was confused or something. I felt like they felt I was ripping them off, but the fact of the matter is, that is how crazy the mark ups are on these electronics and I as a consumer just want to be protected. This is all fair and square for them. Anyways, I paid $268.79 after taxes for the second lens. I realized a little later that I'm paying a couple bucks more than I should but I've had enough, whatever, fine!

$1037.84 + $268.79 = $1306.63 (compared to $1303.27)