More on the Switch to Nikon
Thanks to the many who sent me leads on purchasing a Nikon D850 DSLR along with the Nikon MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack (that gets you up to 9 fps) and an extra Nikon EN-EL18b Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (10.8V, 2500mAh). The first few leads did not pan out.
Don Hamilton suggested that I get in touch with Steve Elkins of Bedford Camera. I called and texted him early in the day. Just as the sun was coming over the hill onto the pelicans at La Jolla, my cell rang and in short order, the deal was done. I was and am thrilled. The D-850 will be the perfect complement to my Nikon D5 DSLR (with Dual XQD slots). My lenses at present consist of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR and the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens. I am in the process of ordering the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens from B&H. I also own the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III.
Huge Nikon D-850 News
Getting a Nikon D-850 had been just about impossible for the past few months. Steve Elkins of Bedford Camera has six in stock along with six of the battery grips. If you have been searching for one you can order yours here or get in touch with Steve via e-mail. They offer free overnight shipping on the D8-50; they collect sales tax only in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. If you order from them, please mention the BAA Blog. Important note: the website shows “Pre-order.” To get yours be sure to e-mail Steve first as above.
Coming Tomorrow
Coming tomorrow, the in-depth explanation of why I made the switch.
Coming on Thursday
Coming on Thursday, a blog post entitled “Canon Does Not Suck.” So stay tuned.
And Used Canon Gear at Below Fire Sale Prices Update
Monday afternoon was chaotic and I was a bit frantic. I was getting an e-mail a minute for many hours; I sold — heck — pretty much gave away nearly all of my Canon gear. I could have dickered and priced the stuff a bit higher but my goal was to make the prices so attractive that any serious buyer could not possibly say no. The plan worked well.
Immediately below is the tally, below that are the remaining items and one or two that I forgot. Thanks to the many who were disappointed that they missed the great values. Everyone was understanding and I appreciated that.
Sold at Fire Sale Prices/Just In
The newer of my Canon 100-400 II lenses sold for $1399.
One Canon 1.4X III TCs sold for $229.
Another 1.4X III TC and a 2X III TC sold for $229 each.
$3500 for the almost new Canon 1DX II with < 11,000 actuations and $229 for the other 2X III TC.
The older Canon 24-105 sold for $299.
The Canon 600 II sold for $7500. With shipping to US. In very good to excellent condition with one serious ding near the red dot at the near end of the lens barrel, a less than 1/8 by 3/16 inch dent. It affects nothing. And a few other scuffs. The glass is immaculate and as seen on the blog every day it is in perfect working condition.
The Canon 500mm f/4l IS II lens sold for the fire-sale price of $6799.
One Canon 5D Mark IV in very good condition sold/fire sale priced at $1899.
Another 5D Mark IV sold for $2099 and the almost-new one for $2349.
Canon 16-35mm f/4 L IS for $549.
Canon 8-15mm given away for $799!
Canon 100 macro IS fire-sale sold for $449.
My Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS Lens with Internal 1.4X Extender went for a paltry $7500.
And the 400 DO II for only $5399.
Still Available
Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS Lens
Canon 180mm Macro Lens
Just sold!.
Canon EF 12mm Extension Tube (two to be sold together)
If you are seriously interested in buying something above or below, please shoot me an e-mail or call my cell at 863-221-2372.
I will probably have more stuff to list when I get home.
Artie
I have not had any problems with Nikon repair except when a part was on back order
Also join NPS
Myer
Good to hear.
with love, artie
Artie,
Is your 400 DO II still available?
Please see above 🙂
a
I almost choked on my Coke when I read that you have switched to Nikon. I just got done telling my brother on the phone the other day that you have never seen a Canon product you didn’t like.
I almost made the switch to the D500 a couple months ago, but got cold feet at the last moment.
Sorry about the choking. Did any Coke come out of your nose? Heck, ignorance can be bliss …
with love, artie
Artie, congrats. I have always been a Nikon user. I am curious to see your results on the tele-converters. I have Never been able to get more “Image quality” with the 2.0 than with the normal lens without the 2.0. Let me know how this goes for you. BTW, the 1.7 is marginal improvement, and the 1.4 does some good. For me, I mostly go with the best glass without the tele-converter.
Best,
Dave Brenneman
http://www.woodduck.smugmug.com
Time will tell. I plan on borrowing a TCE 20 in March and try it with my 600 f/4 🙂
with love, artie
Art
I bet you will love the new camera and hate the company.
You deserve great credit……. when you decide to do something, you don’t mess around!
Thanks Doug, I have heard many bad things about Nikon repairs; I hope that I do not need any 🙂 with love, artie
At least you did not move to one of those annoying Sony-things
Maybe next time 🙂
with love, artie
Recently I opened Nikon’s ViewNX2 because I wanted to work on some old raw files. I couldn’t believe how clunky it was compared to DPP. Guess my brain just doesn’t work like a Nikonite because I had the same opinion of the menu setup with my old Nikon camera.
I understand that a given Camera can be better from one manufacturer vs. another but my observation is that this tends to sea-saw back and forth with the release of new models. I can’t quite fathom that one is light-years ahead of another. However, my blessing on anyone who can afford to jump, believes they should, and does. Good luck.
Jack
Hi Jack,
My understanding is that the Nikon RAW converter is no good at all. I have see-ed (not sea-ed) and saw-ed with Canon for AF for nearly three decades and never experienced anything like the D5 AF. Understanding what you can or cannot fathom is not my business, it is not my job. 🙂 I do know, however, as will be explained in Wednesday’s blog post, that at this point in my life Nikon is clearly the best system for me.
with love, artei
Are you switching from DPP to another Raw process?
DPP cannot convert the Nikon NEF files. Right now I am converting in Photoshop CC using Adobe Camera RAW and am very happy. My understanding is that Capture One does a much better job with NEFs from the D5 and the D-850. I will be exploring that option soon. In the meantime I look forward to becoming more proficient with ACR.
with love, artie
Wow, there must be some kind bad dust up for the move to Nikon. I just don’t get it. You were all in on canon and one of their ambassadors to boot.
Artie,
Is this an early April fools joke?
See the previous posts 🙂
a
It is amazing that you were able to find Nikon D850. Congratulations on the same.
Impressive fire sale as well.
You can get one now from Bedford!
with love, artie
Yuppy I placed an order….