What to buy with my tax rebate of $1200 + some of my cash?

[The Roadrunner]

I;ll be getting back $700 (Tax Refund) and $1,200 Rebate. WHat would be the best upgrade for me?

1. New Nikon D300 Body>

or

2. Nikon D200 and may be a Big Ma (Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 HSM) or the Tamron SPAF 200-500 Di LD f5-6.3?

I currently have a Nikon D 70, Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 and a Tokina 80-200 f2.8 APO ATX.

Roadrunner :scratch

[silverstangs]

I;ll be getting back $700 (Tax Refund) and $1,200 Rebate. WHat would be the best upgrade for me?

1. New Nikon D300 Body>

or

2. Nikon D200 and may be a Big Ma (Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 HSM) or the Tamron SPAF 200-500 Di LD f5-6.3?

I currently have a Nikon D 70, Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 and a Tokina 80-200 f2.8 APO ATX.

Roadrunner :scratch

I would get the camera, your lenses cover most of the range you will use, and they are pretty fast without being a major compromise. Also, according to my CPA, he stated that the rebate is basically a one year interest free loan from the government, and that I will end up paying it back for taxed next year. ...

[nightowlcat]

I would get the camera, your lenses cover most of the range you will use, and they are pretty fast without being a major compromise. Also, according to my CPA, he stated that the rebate is basically a one year interest free loan from the government, and that I will end up paying it back for taxed next year. ...

Found this posted on the free side of WSJ this morning:

"A Treasury official says Uncle Sam will not tax the stimulus payments. Rumors that these payments will reduce your federal income-tax refund next year are wrong, officials say. For more details, see the IRS Web site (irs.gov)."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120321608790674015.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[The Roadrunner]

Thanks Silverstangs - I think you are correct! I thought I would see what the more experienced folks thought. I appreciate your comment.

I have been checking on prices regarding the D200 vs. the D300 and find they are only a couple hundred dollars apart - about ten or twelve percent. That being the case, I will go for the D300. In about six months, I'll pick up a Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8 VR Micro lens. That will be a prime lens that will probably help out in my close-up projects.

Regarding the CPA's position - I can't say he is correct. In my twenty four years as a revenue agent, I found some CPA's are prone to err becaus they take an extremely conservative position. I doubt the Rebate is a Loan. If that were the case - no one would use the money. A loan wouldn't be a stimulous of any significance, because when it comes time to pay that money back, the recession would immediately follow. Frankly, this only a bandaid anyway.

The Roadrunner

[dmmattix]

Found this posted on the free side of WSJ this morning:

"A Treasury official says Uncle Sam will not tax the stimulus payments. Rumors that these payments will reduce your federal income-tax refund next year are wrong, officials say. For more details, see the IRS Web site (irs.gov)."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120321608790674015.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

States might be a different matter however many (Oklahoma for instance) are passing laws to make the rebate tax free state tax wise. I have no idea what others are doing...

[SavedByZero]

Get the 16-105mm Sony A700 kit with veritcal grip and send it to me. Should be right around $1899.99.

Thanks!! :clap

[Harryb]

Normally I would go for glass but the D300 is a major upgrade from the D200. With the D200 I hesitated to go over ISO 400 with the D300 I can shoot at ISO 800 comfortably.

[The Roadrunner]

Normally I would go for glass but the D300 is a major upgrade from the D200. With the D200 I hesitated to go over ISO 400 with the D300 I can shoot at ISO 800 comfortably.

Thanks for the input Harry! I wasn't quite sure if the D300 was really that much better, but I have been reading your posts, and your images were super with that D300. I figure I would realy be kicking myself in the but by not going with the D300. Being able to rely on the ISO 800 is a major jump! Thanks again!

Roadrunner

[KED]

I;ll be getting back $700 (Tax Refund) and $1,200 Rebate. WHat would be the best upgrade for me?


I don't care, just buy something already. This economy needs serious stimulation and I'm dyin' out here! :rofl

Seriously, congrats and good luck and have fun with whatever you decide upon.

[swintonphoto]

2. Nikon D200 and may be a Big Ma (Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 HSM) or the Tamron SPAF 200-500 Di LD f5-6.3?


If you are thinking of a long-range zoom - I think the Bigma (50-500) would not be a good choice because you would be duplicating 50-200mm which adds signicant size and weight to the bigma. You already have a great lens that covers all the way to 200mm. You could get a different (some smaller) lens than the bigma that covers 200+. Some possibilities:

Nikon 300mm 4.0 ($1100)
Sigma 135-400mm 4.5-5.6 ($580)
Sigma 170-500mm 5.0-6.3 ($760)
Tamron 200-500mm 5.0-6.3 ($850)

Another option would be to get a tele-converter. I don't know about the quality of the Nikon ones. I have a Zuiko 1.4x teleconverter for my Olympus that is excellent. Very sharp, and adds some extra length to my 50-200mm 2.8-3.5 very well.

[The Roadrunner]

If you are thinking of a long-range zoom - I think the Bigma (50-500) would not be a good choice because you would be duplicating 50-200mm which adds signicant size and weight to the bigma. You already have a great lens that covers all the way to 200mm. You could get a different (some smaller) lens than the bigma that covers 200+. Some possibilities:

Nikon 300mm 4.0 ($1100)
Sigma 135-400mm 4.5-5.6 ($580)
Sigma 170-500mm 5.0-6.3 ($760)
Tamron 200-500mm 5.0-6.3 ($850)

Another option would be to get a tele-converter. I don't know about the quality of the Nikon ones. I have a Zuiko 1.4x teleconverter for my Olympus that is excellent. Very sharp, and adds some extra length to my 50-200mm 2.8-3.5 very well.

Thanks Swintphoto! I agree with your assessment. since I already have the 1.4X tele that works well, I think I could narrow down the lens choices to the Nikon 300mm 4.0 Prime and the Tamron 200-500mm 5.0-6.3 for additional power. I also think I'll pick up the Nikkor 105mm 2.8 VR for my arsenal.
I am definitly purchasing the Nikon D300 in about two weeks. Then this summer I'll pick up one of my lens choices.:thumb

Hav a good day all!
Roadrunner

[tjl1388]

Another vote for the D300. A few months ago I purchased a 18-200VR to go on my D70. I thought I was in heaven. I was wrong. I rented a D300 to shoot the Daytona 500 this weekend and WOW, that camera is THE TRUTH. It made my old D70 feel like I was shooting with a P&S. It is truly an amazing camera. My 18-200VR has truly been unleashed with the D300.

That is another option as well. Spend a few extra $$$ and rent a D300 and maybe the lenses in question, shoot around for a few days, and see which you like. I rented from borrowedlenses.com and have nothing but praise for them.

[The Roadrunner]

Another vote for the D300. A few months ago I purchased a 18-200VR to go on my D70. I thought I was in heaven. I was wrong. I rented a D300 to shoot the Daytona 500 this weekend and WOW, that camera is THE TRUTH. It made my old D70 feel like I was shooting with a P&S. It is truly an amazing camera. My 18-200VR has truly been unleashed with the D300.

That is another option as well. Spend a few extra $$$ and rent a D300 and maybe the lenses in question, shoot around for a few days, and see which you like. I rented from borrowedlenses.com and have nothing but praise for them.

Thanks Tj1388! I have been hearing great things about the D-300, and your report is down right interesting. Especially since I will be upgrading from a D70 to a D300. From what I hear, my lenses will also perform better with the D-300. I just filed my return and will get a refund of $1,900; plus the rebate will follow. :clap In acouple of weeks I'll be poppin!:ivar

I will also make note of the website you mentioned to rent a couple of lenses to see what fits my needs. Thanks!
Roadrunner

[kts]

D300.

It is THAT much more of a camera than the D200.

[BPerron]

D300.

It is THAT much more of a camera than the D200.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!