Camera Deals at Costco

[Matt Molnar]

Came across these today...

Canon Rebel XTi (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11204738&cm_mmc=BCEmail_251-_-Focus-_-33-_-CanonRebelXTi_BCEmail_251) with 18-55 lens and 2GB CF card: $649.99 delivered

Canon EOS 5D (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11252737&cm_mmc=BCEmail_251-_-Focus-_-30-_-CanonEOS5D_BCEmail_251) (more of a studio camera, not great for aviation) with two 2GB cards and Canon Pro 9000 photo printer: $2,099.99 delivered (after rebates)

Nikon D80 (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11243175&cm_mmc=BCEmail_251-_-Focus-_-36-_-NikonD80_BCEmail_251) with 18-135mm and 70-300mm lenses: $1,499 delivered

$100 off (http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?Dx=mode+matchallpartial&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=0&Ntk=Text_Search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&D=Nikon1205&search=Nikon1205&Ntt=Nikon1205&topnav=&cm_mmc=BCEmail_251-_-Feature-_-1-_-Nikon1205_BCEmail_251) all Nikon DSLR kits

[adam613]

Thanks for posting...Cosco doesn't sell body-only DSLRs, do they? Cuz I think I'm going to be able to buy a Digital Rebel XTi, but I don't want that 18-55mm kit lens...

Just out of curiosity (because it will be years before I can afford one), why is the 5D not good for aviation photography? Does it have anything to do with the reduced range your lens gets on a full-frame sensor? That's the best deal on your list...

[Matt Molnar]

Yep, full frame isn't ideal unless you have some ginormous lenses, however the 12.8 megapixels probably helps make up for that. Also, shoots only 3 fps (same as the Rebel, but 30D does 5 fps, 40D does 6.5 fps, 1D-Mark III does 10fps). Not to say that you couldn't take some awesome pictures with it, but for the price there are better options.

[lijk604]

Like Gotham said, the 5D is better suited for non-moving subjects, it takes GREAT landscape photos.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one, but right now, I like the versatility that a faster camera (more fps) has, as you can always take one frame at a time, but when you need burst mode a slow camera cant keep up.

[adam613]

Ah. That all makes sense...the big sensor probably helps with landscapes. I would imagine the next version of the 5D will be faster...the 5D is contemporary with the 20D, which is pretty old in digital camera years :)

[lijk604]

Problem is the "new" 5D is at least 12-18 months away...and I'm sure body only will go for around $2500.

[adam613]

Why does Canon wait so long to refresh that product? Their other lines seem to have a 12-18 month upgrade cycle...

[pgengler]

Why does Canon wait so long to refresh that product? Their other lines seem to have a 12-18 month upgrade cycle...

There's been a lot of speculation about that on a photography forum I read (fredmiranda.com). The most convincing argument (to me, anyway) is that the 5D is in a tough spot between Canon's top-of-the-line cameras (1-series) and the consumer/semi-pro 40D/30D line. They don't want to add too much in the way of features and have it draw people away from the more expensive 1Ds cameras (the full-frame 1-series cameras) but at the same time don't want to leave it 'crippled' enough that people eschew it in favor of the (crop-sensor) 40D/30D. Considering that its market doesn't have a lot of competition (Nikon finally entered the full-frame market with the D3, but that mostly completes against the 1Ds), Canon probably isn't as worried about it as with the 40D or 1Ds, where there's genuine competition in the market.

I'd be looking at the PMA expo in February to see if Canon will announce a 5D Mk2. I'd expect it to get the standard upgrade treatment: more MP, dust-reducing/cleaning sensor, and some more autofocus points.

[lijk604]

Just a guess, they wanted to see what Nikon came out with the D3 (full-frame camera) & D300.

I had the opportunity to attend a demo given by Mike Corrado: Senior Product Manager, Digital SLR System and Accessories at Nikon USA, this past Monday. I have to say, Nikon came out with some SUPERB gear. Seeing shots taken at ISO3200 & ISO6400 with very little noise was very impressive, not to mention some of those shots were blown up to 30" x 40" poster size! If it wasn't for the fact I have a lot of Canon gear, I would give the D300 some serious thought. Nikon has delivered on the D300 (8fps) & D3 (9fps).

Added after seeing Phils post: Although the D3 was meant to challenge the 1DsMKIII the price difference is tremendous.
1DsMkIII - $7999 Nikon D3 - $4999