p.10 #1 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Lauchlan Toal wrote:
Interesting, thanks. Why do you avoid Vistek? I've always been a Henry's guy myself, but I've not looked into competitors.
And at least lenses tend to retain value, unlike textbooks...
I don't like Vistek for a number of reasons (all my personal opinion of course). First off, they are consistently a rip-off, only ever listing items at full MSRP even when everywhere else sells for less. Getting them to price match has been like pulling teeth in my multiple experiences with 2 of their locations out West.
Second, they don't have a good return policy. Their return policy is purely at the manger's discretion, and only if the item is completely unused. Get a bad copy of a lens that you bought yesterday? Too bad, no returns, deal with the manufacturer. Every other reputable store like The Camera Store, B&H, etc. have much more reasonable no questions asked return policies, barring extreme circumstances.
Third, their staff is the worst I have ever experienced in a camera store. There are 2 Visteks in my city,I have been to both numerous times, and I have found their staff to be unhelpful, rude, and generally very unpleasant. The last time I went in there to buy something and tried to price match, the sales person that day (approx. 60 year old man) huffed and puffed like a 5 year old being told to go to his room, lied to my face about checking if it was in stock at the competition, made up a hilarious story about the competition faking online prices to make Vistek look bad, and declined the price match on those grounds. I simply left and went to the other store (a bit further away), and bought the item which was both in stock and for the lower price. That's just one example of many similar encounters I have had with them.
YMMV of course, I'm sure there's people who love them, but I have tried to give them my money numerous times and I am only ever met with disappointment.
p.10 #4 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Just got an email from my local camera store that they have one ready to ship for me.
However the timing is bad for me - though I will surely regret it when I head to the eagle pond in November and they are sold out everywhere.
p.10 #6 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
CanadaMark wrote:
I don't like Vistek for a number of reasons (all my personal opinion of course).
Huh, good to know. Doesn't sound like they have a good strategy for staying in business, at least at your local stores. Thanks for sharing your experiences with them, hopefully they shape up or ship out.
p.10 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
B&H order status still says order sent to warehouse and tracking number is pending . I can't wait to take this thing out shooting on my kayak, this is like a very cruel Chtistmas, ahhhhhhhhhhh.
p.10 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
architect7 wrote:
B&H order status still says order sent to warehouse and tracking number is pending . I can't wait to take this thing out shooting on my kayak, this is like a very cruel Chtistmas, ahhhhhhhhhhh.
I just got my shipping conformation, so I'm sure you'll get your soon.
p.10 #18 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Looking forward to seeing what you guys can do with this lens in your hands.
This is a piece that could be tugging at me back toward Nikon again. 500mm @ f5.6 hits me better than 600 / 6.3 or 560 / 8.0
I've always been a believer in a <3X zoom. This goes all the way back to my venerable 75-150/3.5 E with only a 2X zoom. Imo, the less ambitious zoom, the less compromises (or more costs @ $$$ / glass weight) have to be made in optical terms to accommodate the more ambitious zoom. The 2.5X factor of the 200-500 is in line with my philosophy on that issue. This too could be in part why Nikon can produce this for the cost point they are offering it ... it isn't as ambitious as the 4X or 5X counterpart offerings.
Smart play, imo. Looks good so far ... kinda like the 75-150/3.5 E ... all grown up thirty years later.
. I can't wait to take this thing out shooting on my kayak, this is like a very cruel Chtistmas, ahhhhhhhhhhh.
