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Camera Kits

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Old 26-03-2008, 10:15 AM   #1
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Camera Kits

Some advice please....
These Camera kits which include lenses you see advertised with DSLR's,
are the lenses the same quality etc as if you were buying them separate.
Or is it some kind of cut down version.?
.
Thanks
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Old 26-03-2008, 10:29 AM   #2
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Re: Camera Kits

The Kit lenses are
not cut down versions as they are purchasable separately
However, they cost less to buy as "kit"
They vary in quality and until lately, Canons "kit " lens the 18-55 ( non IS) was not as good as those that came with Nikon.
However the newer "IS" lens is
Some "kit" lenses are actually the same as you would buy separately but these are more of "bundles" than kit lens as such
I would prefer to call them "starter lenses" as affordability is a big factor

It is often the case that many ( especially 3rd party) alternatives to own brand kit lens cost a little more but are better quality but there is so much scope for generalisation that it is best to ask specific queries
One of the most telling queries is whether "better" lenses are so by a factor of the cost difference
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Old 26-03-2008, 1:53 PM   #3
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Re: Camera Kits

Thanks for that Senu... Just one more query..
Its just on some signatures in this group it says the camera + kit lens then lists a whole lot of lenses along with it. Does that mean these lenses were part of the kit. If you follow my drift.
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Alan
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Old 26-03-2008, 2:43 PM   #4
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Re: Camera Kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by daps View Post
Thanks for that Senu... Just one more query..
Its just on some signatures in this group it says the camera + kit lens then lists a whole lot of lenses along with it. Does that mean these lenses were part of the kit. If you follow my drift.
.
Alan
Usually no. Most of the folks here have added extra lenses piecemeal. You can get '2 lens kits' from a number of manufacturers, which normally have a 'standard' zoom and a longer zoom (eg 18-55mm and 55-200mm), and these are worth checking out if they suit your needs. As Senu says, Nikon kit lenses are pretty decent, as is the 55-200 often bundled. HOWEVER the smart money ignores the plain old 55-200mm and spends a bit more for the Nikon 55-200VR or 70-300VR (with in-lens vibration reduction). So do your homework before trying to get it all in one go.


You'll also find that some shops offer their own bundle deals. Be aware though that it's quite common to throw in rather cheap nasty lenses in these sort of packages.
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Old 26-03-2008, 2:46 PM   #5
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Re: Camera Kits

Hi Alan
No, it means that they've got the kit lens which cames with that camera, then they've bought the additional lenses listed. Occasionally you can find camera kits which come with multiple lenses (usually the normal kit and then something around 70-200 of the same quality).
As Senu mentions, the quality can vary a lot. Many of them can function quite well as long as you use them within certain perameters (above f8, not at the zoom extremes for example).

Edit: Obviously too slow - Yandros beat me to it
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Old 26-03-2008, 5:10 PM   #6
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Re: Camera Kits

Thank You all for your answers, its all coming clearer now.. A Senior Moment I suspect.. Going back to my initial query..
I've seen a package
Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR with 17-55mm IS Lens Kit and it works out £56 cheaper than buying them separately and did wonder what the catch was..
I was wondering if I need to be cautious..
.
Regards
Alan
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Old 26-03-2008, 5:27 PM   #7
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Re: Camera Kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by daps View Post
Thank You all for your answers, its all coming clearer now.. A Senior Moment I suspect.. Going back to my initial query..
I've seen a package
Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR with 17-55mm IS Lens Kit and it works out £56 cheaper than buying them separately and did wonder what the catch was..
I was wondering if I need to be cautious..
.
Regards
Alan
Depends who/where you are buying it from - care to let on?

I've seen the Canon EOS 40D with the 17-85mm IS lens for £821.
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Old 26-03-2008, 5:58 PM   #8
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Re: Camera Kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by daps View Post
Thank You all for your answers, its all coming clearer now.. A Senior Moment I suspect.. Going back to my initial query..
I've seen a package
Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR with 17-55mm IS Lens Kit and it works out £56 cheaper than buying them separately and did wonder what the catch was..
I was wondering if I need to be cautious..
.
Regards
Alan
Probably no catch at all. The 17-55 ( are you sure it isnt the 18-55??: quite different and not in the same league) costs so much on its own that if you get a £56 "discount" for buying it with the 40D as a Bundle it isnt unreasonable and such "bundles" should have a sweetener ( as an incentive) otherwise you may as well buy them separately
Even the "kit lens" when bought with the Body always costs less than separately
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Old 26-03-2008, 6:07 PM   #9
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Re: Camera Kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by eyespy View Post
Depends who/where you are buying it from - care to let on?

I've seen the Canon EOS 40D with the 17-85mm IS lens for £821.
.
Wasn't too sure if I could post links here...
.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1022915
.
£370 cheaper than Jessops if there's no catch

Last edited by daps; 26-03-2008 at 6:26 PM.
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Old 26-03-2008, 6:26 PM   #10
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Re: Camera Kits

Quote:
Originally Posted by daps View Post
.
Wasn't too sure if I could post links here...
Not a problem as long as the links don't head anywhere that contains inappropriate material mate
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Old 26-03-2008, 6:38 PM   #11
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Re: Camera Kits

Warehouse Express are good, but I wouldn't say that that particular deal is mind blowing since if you check on www.camerapricebuster.co.uk you will see that the 40D is listed at £599 and the 17-55 IS is listed at £609.99 if bought seperately.
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Old 26-03-2008, 7:14 PM   #12
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Re: Camera Kits

Don't forget cashback: £100 for the 40D body, and £40 for the 17-85 kit lens
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