Hello Everyone,

I received word that Columbia is offering Nikon lenses on SALE. Some as high as 40% off.

Please read the following news post on Pinoyphotography.org (http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=2922.msg97703#msg97703) from John Chua of Adphoto.

This is related to Columbia splitting off the Nikon distributorship to another company.

Some have already managed to bag a Nikkor 28-70 F2.8 for less than 40k.

ok just saw this! :) Sorry for the offtopic reply in the other thread :)

Hello Everyone,

I received word that Columbia is offering Nikon lenses on SALE. Some as high as 40% off.

Please read the following news post on Pinoyphotography.org (http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=2922.msg97703#msg97703) from John Chua of Adphoto.

This is related to Columbia splitting off the Nikon distributorship to another company.

Some have already managed to bag a Nikkor 28-70 F2.8 for less than 40k.

@dave

wer could we buy the lenses? :) ...lucky for us nikonians...yehheeyyy :D

Like I answered somebody via PM, I'm just the messenger... I use Canon so it's up to you guys now to find out where you can get them.

Thanks for the heads up Dave. If they have the 200-400 f4 VR at 40% off... that's still a lot of money!

yeah...i saw the post din nga...i already mailed avenue and aparture kung may sale nga sila! :D

hey karlo, do spread the good word if they news on this :)

I'm so sorry. A nikon friend called Frank of Aperture and he told him stocks have been depleted already. SB-800's were on sale buy one take one.

I did hear about a large selloff of Nikon DSLR bodies last week (D2X being sold for 130k) but I didn't put two and two together that it was also Columbia behind it.

I hope I didn't get your hopes up too much.

I was lucky to get some of the lenses... ;-)

*sigh*

i guess for the rest of us "unconnected" ones, the old saying still stands...

"if it's too good to be true, it probably is"

moving on :)

damn buy one take one for sb800's? i just picked one up for regular price but was able to avail of cheap d2x units but not for 130.

I was lucky to get some of the lenses... ;-)

Din, I'm interested to know what lenses you got. PM me naman! :D

Thanks for the heads up Dave. If they have the 200-400 f4 VR at 40% off... that's still a lot of money!

one of our freind from cebu got hold of this baby at 180k. he hasn't tested it yet cuz of the crappy weather but the lens is really sweet to look at. :) :) :)

I was lucky to get some of the lenses... ;-)

ano mga lenses nakuha mo din? and how much?

Hi Guys, here are the Pros and Cons of buying stuff on Sale:
Data gathered is from Columbia Digital Sales Philippines and Nikon Japan.

1. All lens and cameras even batteries bought with the warranty that says Columbia Global - without the imprint of Digital Sales will not be recognized and serviced by Columbia Digital Sales. Said warranty card is now null and void.

2. Said warranty issue is upon instruction of Nikon Japan. The representative from Japan - Iato San was so pissed off when he found out that the storage room used by the defunct business partner of Columbia Global did not follow the strict quality control of Nikon worldwide. Sad to say, even the replacement batteries for the Nikon D70 and D50 which can be also be used for the Nikon D200 and can be availed of free as replacement for the recalled EN-EL2 batteries were stolen from the stock room and is now being sold in the grey market.

I'll make my personal comment later. I have to go now and work. Just wanted to post this news bulletin which will later on be posted on the internet. Try testing all units first before you purchase and scrutinize the parts for any mold or fungus build-up due to the recent rains and hot weather we now have in the country.

i guess you have to way the pros and cons. who wouldnt want cheap gear right? but like everything in life you get what you pay for. would be a shame to have problems arise in the future from getting a lens without warranty and not being able to get it fixed/replaced.

i guess it also boils down to your comfort level. if you are comfortable buying gear without warranty then by all means to do so. chances are your gear will not break or is in tip top condition OR you can be really unlucky ang get lemon. in the end its you who must decide.

@Eric,

All I read are the CONS.

Here's my opinions on the PROS;

Personally at 40% off, I don't give a hoot. Buy 2 if you want backup.

The political circumstances which led to the sale doesn't influence the products performance. It's not like these were in a fire or fell off the back of the truck. As far as lenses go isn't Nikkor glass legendary when it comes to reliability?

Also it doesn't matter if a lens was bought on sale or not. You always check it before you leave the establishment to at least determine if it's a good copy. Checking for fungus, checking if the focusing works is basic. I doubt all the retail establishments here even put their new lenses still in boxes out of the showcase into drycabs at the end of a business day.

I also know that some who make a living at photography got first crack at this opportunity through their Nikon suppliers so if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us.

Hi Guys, here are the Pros and Cons of buying stuff on Sale:
Data gathered is from Columbia Digital Sales Philippines and Nikon Japan.

1. All lens and cameras even batteries bought with the warranty that says Columbia Global - without the imprint of Digital Sales will not be recognized and serviced by Columbia Digital Sales. Said warranty card is now null and void.


This will definitely be a point to discussed with Columbia Digital Sales. I bought my D200 from Columbia in January along with a few others, as well as with a number of pros who got their D2X units.

wow!!!..... and that's both on the sale and on the politicking that's been unearthed...
wonder if it would bring us nikonians better after sales support as we really hope it were.
just really hope nikon japan gets to see the plight of us nikonians here in the philippines and make drastic moves to give us better service.

damn buy one take one for sb800's? i just picked one up for regular price but was able to avail of cheap d2x units but not for 130.

@Carlo

Wow! How many D2x's did were you able to get? and for how much?

@Carlo

Wow! How many D2x's did were you able to get? and for how much?

got two for my friends, if they had a d200 i would have gotten one then and there

got two for my friends, if they had a d200 i would have gotten one then and there

wow! thought you upgraded a couple of notches and got the D2x:) .

congrats on your new sb800 bro! :)

Hi Dave,

As what I have said, I will be discussing the pros later on because of my work-load and schedule. Let me answer some of your inquiries and comments.

1. Nikon lens are known for their reliability. There are however some circumstances beyond our control. The place where I am staying right now is quite humid and I noticed that there is already a build-up of mold in my camera bag. Because of this, I have no option now but to buy a drybox.

2. There are some suppliers who don't use a drybox in storing the equipment at the end of the day but it is securely placed in a store room where the temperature is not hot or cold.

3. Nikon cameras are also battle tested and very reliable but if a negligent businessman puts his stocks in a place that is succeptible to rains and hot weather, well electronics don't last that long compared to mechanical and manual cameras. I heard that someone bought a Nikon coolpix 5700 digital camera and after a few days the CCD sensor broke down due to mishandling of the seller. Sad to say, the buyer is the one suffering right now because it cannot be serviced by Columbia Global Sales due to warranty issues with Columbia Enterprises.

4. Not all items are on sale at 40% discount. The D2x is only on sale at 20% off.
You can buy it lower at Hidalgo but you have to check the unit first as well as the serial code number to trace where it originally came from.

5. Going back to the Pros, well you can buy other items with the money one will save. There is however a saying that you get what you pay for. So, why take the risk? As what I have said in another thread, I'm not an impulse buyer but a prudent investor and enterpreneur. If something is one sale, I first find out the reason why it is selling at a lower price. I also make a living from Photography that's why I'm very careful in buying equipment from reliable sources.

If you have other questions. Just post it here. I have to go now and do some post-production work. Until then. Best Regards.

I'm sorry... I don't get any of your arguments. It's gobbledigook for me (too PRO).

All I know is;

... it's not fake.
... it's not damaged.
... it's NOT stolen.
... it's Fricken cheap!

PROs bought from the Sale so why not us non-PROs?

Dave,

I never said that there is something wrong with the lens being on sale. I simply warned buyers of possible problems in the future as relayed to me by the authorized distributor. Go ahead with your purchase but just in case something goes wrong, don't blame Columbia for not servicing your glass. Do take note that the items on sale at Columbia Digital Sales is different from the ones being sold in the grey market. I already did my part by warning you guys ahead of time and verifying data needed from the dealer. Good Luck. As for me, I'll buy the lens from my reliable supplier with a guaranteed warranty and good price at the same time.

wow! thought you upgraded a couple of notches and got the D2x:) .

congrats on your new sb800 bro! :)

lev, i got the d2x units for a friend cannot justify a purchase like that. as for the sb800 im still digesting the manual. talk about being soooooo sooooo user friendly:)

lev, i got the d2x units for a friend cannot justify a purchase like that. as for the sb800 im still digesting the manual. talk about being soooooo sooooo user friendly:)

Yeah i've been trying to digest it for a few days now... :D For now im just leaving it at TTL haha

carlo @ marton

i didnt dwell too much on the manual... had a blast experimenting with the 800s. pretty cool esp the wireless function! sweet!!!:Grin:

Yeah i've been trying to digest it for a few days now... :D For now im just leaving it at TTL haha


same here, always on ttl:)

i didnt dwell too much on the manual... had a blast experimenting with the 800s. pretty cool esp the wireless function! sweet!!!

teach us how to operate, i havent been using have been getting decent results with the pop up flash. obviously my settings for the sb800 are all wrong

Nikon CLS is da bomb! Go buy a pair of umbrellas, light stands, this http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_Products/Heavy-Duty_Swivel/index.html
and start having fun!

Used the above on the pic below.

http://zandy.smugmug.com/photos/85340263-L.jpg

same here, always on ttl:)



teach us how to operate, i havent been using have been getting decent results with the pop up flash. obviously my settings for the sb800 are all wrong

Carlo,

Try this out. Get the Guide Number of your SB800, and divide it by the distance in meters, and this can be your starting point for setting your aperture. Make computational adjustments on the guide number depending on your ISO setting.

FOr example, the guide number for my SB600 is 42 at ISO 200. If the subject is 2 meters away, I can set the aperture at about 22+/-. If you intend to bounce it, you have to compensate the aperture.

Hey Dave!

Sayang, wasn't able to hear about the sale sooner.

Anyway, anyone familiar with details of the Rummage sale in Hidalgo? Some advance info would be great for us "unconnected" ones (llike Chewy and I) so we can catch some great deals!

Thanks!

OT: The sale in Hidalgo is another project by John Chua so let's wait for his announcements.

Warranty? Yes, it does makes a difference. Gray market sellers offer better warranty serice than Columbia. Hehe, Anyway, I got a busted D70 bought from Columbia more than a year ago. Will find out this week if the service has improved or its still crappy.

1. All lens and cameras even batteries bought with the warranty that says Columbia Global - without the imprint of Digital Sales will not be recognized and serviced by Columbia Digital Sales. Said warranty card is now null and void.

2. Said warranty issue is upon instruction of Nikon Japan. The representative from Japan - Iato San was so pissed off when he found out that the storage room used by the defunct business partner of Columbia Global did not follow the strict quality control of Nikon worldwide. Sad to say, even the replacement batteries for the Nikon D70 and D50 which can be also be used for the Nikon D200 and can be availed of free as replacement for the recalled EN-EL2 batteries were stolen from the stock room and is now being sold in the grey market.


Is this a blanket thing or for certain specific serial numbers only? I got a spare batt for my D70 a few months ago and was wondering if it was included in the "stolen goods" part... hmm... gotta check my warranty card too I guess. Got it from a reputable dealer in Hidalgo though so not really worried...

I passed by Columbia in Megamall this afternoon and saw they have a Rainy Day sale;

D70 (not D70s) body for 22,990.00
D70 + 18-70 lens for 30,610.00

All cash basis only.

There were also D1H & D100 bodies on sale, all less than 90k.

I was very tempted to get one, but I'm gonna follow sir John Chua's advice to hold off all major purchases for now until the Hidalgo sale is finalized. But for those of you in the biz', a spare D70 body might not be such a bad idea considering what these can still do and they are NEW.

22990.... oh boy.... oh boy...... oh boy... the price is just right. and to think i was praying for a 2nd hand d50 body that would cost less than 25K...

22990.... oh boy.... oh boy...... oh boy... the price is just right. and to think i was praying for a 2nd hand d50 body that would cost less than 25K...

I understand as well (and I use Canon). If I get the D70 body, I could finally buy that 18-200 VR I'm pining for so I can have the best walkaround/IR setup.

M U S T R E S I S T M U S T R E S I S T

oooh... for the price of a 30D body, you can get the 18-200mm VR + a nikon D70 body... plus minus 5000 bucks.

don't resist. don't resist. don't resist :)

i wonder if they still have d50's in stock?

oooh... for the price of a 30D body, you can get the 18-200mm VR + a nikon D70 body... plus minus 5000 bucks.

don't resist. don't resist. don't resist :)

i wonder if they still have d50's in stock?

Chewy,

wilson of avenue called me up last week...the only nikon units on sale (with local warranties) from columbia digital are the d70, d2h, d2x and the d100...all are subject to availability... if u need one I could get one for you, they allocated several units to me...pm me lang if you're interested...:D

Nice Shot Zaldy, What is the model of your studio light?

How much is the D2X going for with the sale? And where to get them? Thanks?

wilson of avenue called me up last week...the only nikon units on sale (with local warranties) from columbia digital are the d70, d2h, d2x and the d100...all are subject to availability... if u need one I could get one for you, they allocated several units to me...pm me lang if you're interested...:D

hi jake, sayang im eyeing a d50. any lenses on sale there?

I hope Columbia digital honors the warranty for the cameras and lenses sold before they disolved.. might get messy if they dont..

Looks like we should fix our issue before we meet with them... Do we have a lawyer in the house???

I'm just stopping myself from going to Megamall (walking distance from the office) and getting one myself. It's just that I already sold my spare organs so I have no more spares to sell he he he.

I'm just optimistic because Nikon users have always trusted their gear in the absence of good local support so why be bothered now?

I hope Columbia digital honors the warranty for the cameras and lenses sold before they disolved.. might get messy if they dont..

Looks like we should fix our issue before we meet with them... Do we have a lawyer in the house???

Anton, this issue was addressed in another thread. Here's the quote... :)

All items sold under warranty under Columbia Global or Columbia Digital will be serviced by my company.

All items sold under Columbia Enterprises will not be entertained by my company. Hope everything is clear now.

I need some new glass. We have two livers right? Guess I can let go of one :)

I need some new glass. We have two livers right? Guess I can let go of one

Nope.. We have 1 liver. We have 2 kidneys.

I did the research and you can live with 1 kidney. You can donate a PART of your liver because it can grow back (Doctors in the house PLEASE shoot me down if I'm wrong ok).

As to the going rates, I can't post it coz it's illegal.

You can actually live with one testicle only, but it's not a big seller.

*chuckle*

Nope.. We have 1 liver. We have 2 kidneys.

I did the research and you can live with 1 kidney. You can donate a PART of your liver because it can grow back (Doctors in the house PLEASE shoot me down if I'm wrong ok).

As to the going rates, I can't post it coz it's illegal.

You can actually live with one testicle only, but it's not a big seller.

*chuckle*

Hilarious post Dave. :D

Ha ha ha. Now that is really bad. However, one can donate blood, and sperm, although it is not that much. Yup, you can donate part of your liver. The success rate locally is dim though. You have to fly to Taiwan, China, or Singapore to do that. Ha ha ha

I need some new glass. We have two livers right? Guess I can let go of one :)

Sonny naman... That desperate huh :) ... Just don't donate your eyes...

Nope.. We have 1 liver. We have 2 kidneys.

I did the research and you can live with 1 kidney. You can donate a PART of your liver because it can grow back (Doctors in the house PLEASE shoot me down if I'm wrong ok).

As to the going rates, I can't post it coz it's illegal.

You can actually live with one testicle only, but it's not a big seller.

*chuckle*

Hahaha...that's a good one Sir Dave! Got me laughing here in the office! :D

Nice Shot Zaldy, What is the model of your studio light?
Hi,

I just used pair of SB-800's in CLS mode. One positioned at each side with an umbrella. The flashes were controlled by the one built in on the D200.

Regards.

Hi,

I just used pair of SB-800's in CLS mode. One positioned at each side with an umbrella. The flashes were controlled by the one built in on the D200.

Regards.

Slightly OT: Ganyan kagaling ang CLS! :D Go CLS advocates... Panalo yan Zandy!:)