Penn Camera

[Jeff]

Was thinking about making a run up to one of the Penn Camera locations today or tomorrow. Was wondering which of the local locations would most likley have the most stuff in stock and on the shelf for a D90.

Looking for Lenses, cases, batteries, flash attachments etc.

Penn Camera - Locations

 

[MrX]

Ive been to the Laurel and Springfield locations, both had a pretty good inventory from what I saw; much better than Ritz. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the locations really.

 

[Jeff]

Ive been to the Laurel and Springfield locations, both had a pretty good inventory from what I saw; much better than Ritz. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the locations really.

Cool. I might gear up and start heading up that way hear in a bit. I guess I'll do the Laurel one as I got something I'd like to look at in Crofton as well.

We ended up cancelling the last order for the to lenses because I use Cedar Point and the have a $2500 a day spending limit on the Debit cards. So that order didn't go through. :-( But I upped my spending limit on it now and got the bug to go up and puts my hands on some gear.

I did go to Ritz and they were pretty helpful but that don;t carry much of the higher end stuff in stock at all.

 

[Jeff]

Ive been to the Laurel and Springfield locations, both had a pretty good inventory from what I saw; much better than Ritz. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the locations really.

Just got off the phone with the folks at Laurel. I guess the plan is for me to head up there tomorrow.

I figured for me it might be wise to actually be able to talk to someone face to face about some of the choices and options I want.

I don't know if those folks work off of commission or not but if they do I think someone will end up being a happy camper.

 

[jbr13]

Ok, ok, enough bragging Jeff!! Your just rubbing it in now. Lol.


J

 

[Jeff]

Ok, ok, enough bragging Jeff!! Your just rubbing it in now. Lol.


J

I am sorry... Not bragging. It's just the more I look into this stuff the more confused I get.

I figure maybe talking face to face with someone would help my comfort level out.

 

[jbr13]

I was just busting you chops man, its all good. Have fun!

 

[Jeff]

I was just busting you chops man, its all good. Have fun!

I know

I just keep looking at Flash rigs, memory cards, Pelican Cases, Backpacks, Tripods, Battery Grips, Batteries (and the list goes on). I just figured the heck with it. I'll drive up, talk to someone, hopefully get to physically put my hands on some of this stuff before buying.

Buying this type of gear off the internet, sight unseen, makes me pretty uncomfortable simply because I am unfamiliar with the terminolgy used. Plus the pics of allot of the gear make it hard to really see what I am getting.

As far as the lenses I am pretty happy with what you have recommended thus far. Although I am kind of 2nd guessing the lense that came with the camera a bit.

 

[MrX]

Just got off the phone with the folks at Laurel. I guess the plan is for me to head up there tomorrow.

I figured for me it might be wise to actually be able to talk to someone face to face about some of the choices and options I want.

I don't know if those folks work off of commission or not but if they do I think someone will end up being a happy camper.

Im sure they will steer you in the right direction. I agree, seeing this stuff in person can be helpful (and dangerous)

Ok, ok, enough bragging Jeff!! Your just rubbing it in now. Lol.



J

 

[jbr13]

The 18-105 is a good general use lens for walking around. Nothing real great but better than any of the other kits lenses out there I think.

J

 

[Jeff]

Im sure they will steer you in the right direction. I agree, seeing this stuff in person can be helpful (and dangerous)

I keep running into like with the memory cards. It seems that if budget allows that one should try to go with the fastest read/write speeds. Ok I can do that but is it needed?

That is just an example of the type of questions I keep running up with.

If I don't quit fooling around and make some decisions. This Camera might as well be a paperweight here on the desk.

Hopefully tomorrow I should have the common sense stuff out of the way and bought. What they don't have in stock I'll just order and have delivered.

They are already holding the 70-200 for me.

 

[jbr13]

I keep running into like with the memory cards. It seems that if budget allows that one should try to go with the fastest read/write speeds. Ok I can do that but is it needed?

That is just an example of the type of questions I keep running up with.

If I don't quit fooling around and make some decisions. This Camera might as well be a paperweight here on the desk.

Hopefully tomorrow I should have the common sense stuff out of the way and bought. What they don't have in stock I'll just order and have delivered.

They are already holding the 70-200 for me.

The memory card thing isn't much of a big deal. Yes the faster the better, if you plan on taking fast action shots. Best thing is to try out the things you have and see what happens. If your shooting and never shoot 4 frames per second for 3 or 4 seconds you won't see the need for the Class 6 SDHC card. I would start with a Ultra II or Extreme III 4 GB SD card You will get more later, and you can decide if you really need to spend the money on the faster stuff.

Right now I would say study and start shooting, that is how you will determine what lenses you want to carrry all the time, and what other item you need to get.

That said, all the item you are looking at getting you will want down the road once you start shooting!

J

 

[hvp05]

I'll drive up, talk to someone, hopefully get to physically put my hands on some of this stuff before buying.

That is a good idea while you are still learning what you want. I am where I feel comfortable and confident buying many things - like a flash or a lens - online because I know the terminology well and I can get a good impression after enough reviews.

But for some things, it is a good idea to put your hands on it and see if it works for you. Like a bag - you can feel its texture and see how easily it can be configured. Or a tripod - you can see if it's comfortable on your shoulder.

Of course, you could go to the store just because it's neat. A well-stocked camera store is like FAO Schwarz to me.

 

[Jeff]

The memory card thing isn't much of a big deal. Yes the faster the better, if you plan on taking fast action shots. Best thing is to try out the things you have and see what happens. If your shooting and never shoot 4 frames per second for 3 or 4 seconds you won't see the need for the Class 6 SDHC card. I would start with a Ultra II or Extreme III 4 GB SD card You will get more later, and you can decide if you really need to spend the money on the faster stuff.

Right now I would say study and start shooting, that is how you will determine what lenses you want to carrry all the time, and what other item you need to get.

That said, all the item you are looking at getting you will want down the road once you start shooting!

J

Well I wish I had seen the before going up. I ended up getting 3 Sandisk Extreme III 4 GB SDHC Class 6 cards.

 

[hvp05]

I ended up getting 3 Sandisk Extreme III 4 GB SDHC Class 6 cards.

Just more room to grow!

 

[Jeff]

That is a good idea while you are still learning what you want. I am where I feel comfortable and confident buying many things - like a flash or a lens - online because I know the terminology well and I can get a good impression after enough reviews.

But for some things, it is a good idea to put your hands on it and see if it works for you. Like a bag - you can feel its texture and see how easily it can be configured. Or a tripod - you can see if it's comfortable on your shoulder.

Of course, you could go to the store just because it's neat. A well-stocked camera store is like FAO Schwarz to me.

Yep, at this point, for me, I was runnig into allot of "What works with what?" questions and such. I already had a decent idea of what I thought I would need and had touched on all with a modest amount of research. But was still leary I was going to end up buying something that wasn't entirley compatable with something else.

I am still trying to recover from the shock of what I spent this morning. Later on this weekend I may very well sit down and put all of it in a list and post it just to solicite any feedback from you folks. Might be something in all this stuff I want to rethink and want to do so before I start pulling of stickers, tags and packaging.

 

[Jeff]

Just more room to grow!

I was going to get an 8G or the 32G. Simply because this thing does do some video. I had not researched that very well I guess. Two of the folks behind the counter discouraged me advising this camera is only going to take video in Maximum of 5 Minute or so clips and as such I didn;t need all that room if video is the only concern.

But I suspect, for the forseable future, that these 3 cards should do very well for me. Likely a bit of overkill but I am "Confidence High" that it will be a decision I won't regret.

 

[hvp05]

this weekend I may very well sit down and put all of it in a list and post it just to solicite any feedback from you folks.

No doubt you will receive feedback. Probably a or or two; maybe even a request of, "Will you adopt me?"

But I suspect, for the forseable future, that these 3 cards should do very well for me. Likely a bit of overkill but I am "Confidence High" that it will be a decision I won't regret.

I still remember when I bought my first digital in 2002; I bought a couple 128 Mb cards and I thought they were huge. I've moved up through just about every successive generation and now shoot with a 16 Gb. It's great because I almost never stress about running out; plus, it's good for other tasks such as transporting large files. Memory is one thing that you may feel is 'splurging' now but will almost certainly not regret later.

 

[Jeff]

I think this about completes the list for what I have so far. I wanted to see it in list form anyway. Hope all these links work

Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera with Nikon 18-105mm VR Lens
Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera with Nikon 18-105mm VR Lens

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Nikon 60 mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens
Nikon 60 mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens - 1987 - RitzCamera.com

Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight
Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight

MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack
Nikon - MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack

Nikon TC-17E II AF-S AF-I Teleconverter
http://www.penncamera.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=5710&DEPARTMENT_ID=458
This wasn't in stock. On Order

Pelican Black 1650 Case w/Foam
Pelican Black 1650 Case w/Foam

LowePro CompuTrekker Plus AW
LowePro CompuTrekker Plus AW

Transporter Strap Black
LowePro - Transporter Strap Black

SanDisk Extreme III SDHC Card 4GB (20MB/S 133x)
Can't seem to find a link to it

Air Blaster
Giottos - Air Blaster

MicroStar Optic Cleaning Cloth (2)
Eiko - MicroStar Optic Cleaning Cloth

77mm Digital UV Filter
ProMaster - 77mm Digital UV Filter

EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (2)
Nikon - EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

OM-600 Omni Bounce f/Nikon SB600
Sto-Fen - OM-600 Omni Bounce f/Nikon SB600

SystemPro 6 Tripod Bag
ProMaster - SystemPro 6 Tripod Bag 6 Tripod Bag

Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 055 CF TRIPOD-Q90-4 SECTION
tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 055CXPRO4 - 055 CF TRIPOD-Q90-4 SECTION

Manfrotto 488RC2 MIDI BALL HEAD W/RC2 R.C.SYST.
tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 488RC2 - MIDI BALL HEAD W/RC2 R.C.SYST.

Manfrotto 200PL-14 ACCESSORY PLATE 1/4 FOR X/LGHT
tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 200PL-14 - ACCESSORY PLATE 1/4 FOR X/LGHT

 

[MrX]