Nikon Rumors Forum

where there’s smoke there’s forum fire

1. 

   R8R
   

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   So United airlines lost all of my camera gear.

   D7000, lenses (including an 80-200mm D that I just scored), laptop, Rode mic, flash, everything. They made me gate check my Pelican 1510 or I would have not been allowed on the plane. Then they "lost" it. About $4500-$5000 worth of gear.

   So I'm starting again from scratch. I thought about going to Canon, but 5 minutes with the 70D made me swear off Canon forever. I hate the Canon layout.

   Here's the thing: I need a camera THIS WEEK, as I am going to Europe for all of May.

   Considering:

   Another D7000
   Maybe a used D700
   Maybe a used D300s
   Definitely a SB-700
   Definitely a Rode mic, maybe the Stereo Videomic Pro
   35mm f/1.8 DX or the 50mm f/1.8 if I go with a D700
   Some kind of f/2.8 zoom.

   So the question is - what would you buy if you needed to put together a decent travel kit right away?

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   Gareth
   

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   I'de make damn sure that whatever you buy, you wont have to check it.

   I have a lowepro backpack that fits a LOT, but is OK for on board.

   Looks like you shoot video. don't get a d300s or a d700.

   that leaves
   d7000 and $3300-3800
   or
   d800 and $1500-2000

   sb-700 $320
   Rode Stereo Videomic Pro $300

   just squeeze a zoom in there (d800), or a good prime. depends what you shoot.

   what about a computer?

   OH AND REMEMBER THE BAG!

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   kanuck
   

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   I think I were you I'd either get another D7000 or a good used D700. How about a 50mm 1.8 G prime and maybe a 28-70mm or 35-70mm 2.8 Zoom? The 80-200mm 2.8 zoom would be nice too. Throw in a SB-600 flash and your set. Too bad you need a setup right away because it looks like the D3200 might be an option as well. I take it you had no insurance right? I feel for you believe me...

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   andrewz
   

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   Your time frame making a good decision difficult. If I were you I would build a system around a D800 but you can't get one right now. Rent a camera for your next trip (for a whole month might not be worth it) and get a D800 when you can. Buy everything else now. Just a thought.

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   Teo
   

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   Thats so bad :/
   Did United Airlines refunded anything ?
   They should, It's their fault after all.
   I hate having to check in anything :/
   They should have special carrying loads for different people (like pick a hobby sort of tickets) if a surfer you can check in a board, if a photographer you could carry on a bigger bag ...
   Air travel is one of the biggest issue with camera gear I would say...
   Still, from personal knowledge, a nice smile can get you to carry on more that 2X what you are supposed too :D
   Good luck with your gear,
   But if you can, go for the D800, It's awesome !

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   El_Pickerel
   

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   Ouch, sorry for the loss. Like hell the gear went missing.

   If I was starting over with that kind of a budget, I would probably go for the D7000, 20mm f/2.8D, 35mm f/1.8G, 50mm f/1.8D, 85mm f/1.8G OR 105mm f/2D, SB-700, and see if I could score a used AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D. That'd still leave you room for a bag and mike, though I bet you'd want some VR lenses for shooting video...

   It'd really kill me to lose my gear, since almost all of it involved patiently waiting for my lenses to go on sale used, and snagging them before someone else could. I'd be hard pressed to replace everything I have for the prices I bought it all for.

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   msmoto
   

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   I might suggest thinking about a V1 w/ the 10-30 and 30-110 lenses. And the flash. Then when you get back, the D400 may be available. This will allow you to think about what you might want to invest in and not have to jump in immediately.

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. 

   jonnyapple
   

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   R8R said:
   I thought about going to Canon, but 5 minutes with the 70D made me swear off Canon forever. I hate the Canon layout.

   +1

   Sorry, R8R! That sucks.

   If you were happy with the D7000, that's what I'd get again. Don't get the D300s—it sounds like you do video, and you will really miss the D7000's codec.

   My personal lens suggestions are the 40mm DX macro (not with a D700, obviously), 24-120 f/4 VR (instead of a 2.8), 50 1.8 or 85 1.8, and possibly the 70-300 VR (I almost never shot my 70-200 wide open anyway, but you know whether f/4ish is good enough for you—it has the advantage of VR over the 80-200D you had).

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. 

   Godless
   

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   R8R said:
   So the question is - what would you buy if you needed to put together a decent travel kit right away?

   I prefer to travel light, so either a small mirrorless body with 2 pancakes and a telezoom
   OR something like the Canon G1X or Fuji X100

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. 

    TaoTeJared
    

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    You didn't say what you shoot so this is really a crap-shoot for suggestions.

    For this week?!? - I think go cheap, others can speak to the D5100 video (matches the D7000), but that maybe a good kit to get with a 35 1.8, 50 1.8, & 18-105. I just think you may be kicking yourself if you come back and the D400 released. The D7100 should be released late this year as well.

    I'm with MSmoto for the short term maybe the J1/V1 might be best or even a Panasonic GH2/3. Lots of releases are suppose to come this year so it could be better to go cheap for a while to see what comes.

    You should be reimbursed for full "replacement cost" so you are actually looking at MSRP for each item they lost. If they try not to - fight like hell. They will buckle and by US law if they offer something less and you take it, that is your fault. If you fight them, they know in any type of court, they will have to give you full new cost of each item. Sometimes getting your insurance company involved can help - they send it to corporate and then two heavy weights fight it out and generally they are both too lazy and will just pay the full amount. $6,000 is a drop in the bucket when lawyers get involved. I have had this happen with various items so many times it's not even funny.

    With that in mind - don't touch a D300s, and I'm not sure about the D700 either. Both show their age and really will in a couple of years. I would go for the newest you can afford at this point.

    Lenses - you didn't say what you shoot so its hard to suggest what to look at.

    Posted 1 year ago #
11. 

    Mike Gunter
    

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    R8R said:
    So United airlines lost all of my camera gear.

    D7000, lenses (including an 80-200mm D that I just scored), laptop, Rode mic, flash, everything. They made me gate check my Pelican 1510 or I would have not been allowed on the plane. Then they "lost" it. About $4500-$5000 worth of gear.

    So I'm starting again from scratch. I thought about going to Canon, but 5 minutes with the 70D made me swear off Canon forever. I hate the Canon layout.

    Here's the thing: I need a camera THIS WEEK, as I am going to Europe for all of May.

    Considering:

    Another D7000
    Maybe a used D700
    Maybe a used D300s
    Definitely a SB-700
    Definitely a Rode mic, maybe the Stereo Videomic Pro
    35mm f/1.8 DX or the 50mm f/1.8 if I go with a D700
    Some kind of f/2.8 zoom.

    So the question is - what would you buy if you needed to put together a decent travel kit right away?

    First, I would contact UA and make sure that they are going to go beyond the $3000 limit and pay for the full coverage of the equipment because either (1) they made you put the bag in check through when you could have take carried it aboard, thus excluding it from your protection, quote 'In particular, airlines seek to exclude themselves from any liability towards the loss of fragile or valuable items in checked baggage. Accordingly, prudent passengers choose to pack these items in their carry on baggage. If the airline now insists on checking that carry on bag, it seems fair that they must accept an unlimited liability for the safety of the contents of that bag.' If you can't get them to admit that you can file in small claims court for 'replacement value'

    or

    (2) let you know if your bag when on a different flight and the Pelican case which has 'steal me' written all over it, was in a carousel by itself circling around sharks waiting to be pickup like a surprise Christmas present. You should have been made aware of this possibility, even be offered the options - such as riding on the same plane to avoid this, and thus be offered replacement costs. Again, a possible trip to small claims court.

    I do feel sorry for you loss, I've been robbed more than once and it sucks.

    As for what I'd replace it with, I think I'd try to look forward to what work I wanted to do and go from there.

    If you have to have a kit now, I'd likely go with a 50mm f1.8, f1.8 85mm, and if I could get a D800, a used D700, a D7000, f2 35mm (an FX lens), f2.8 24mm f2.8 lens, and then which ever zooms you think you'd use. The primes would work well for DX/FX and you'd be fixed for both formats, but your wide would suffer, but no more than you have already missed.

    Personally, I'd also get the f2.8 14-24mm, and the f2.8 24-70mm, but that would likely be over your budget. It would be for me. ;-)

    All the above assumes that the D800 is such a wunderkind that you will grown to throw rocks at the D7000 and sell it to a unsuspecting punk and use FX forever...

    My best and my apologies to all punks where ever they are,

    Mike

    Posted 1 year ago #
12. 

    R8R
    

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    Thank you all for the suggestions.

    Problem is compounded right now by the fact that EVERYONE is out of stock on Nikon bodies. Seems like there is a glut of D5100's and D3100's to be had.

    There is one dealer near here with a D7000/18-105mm kit, but that is the last lens I want to be stuck with trying to dump it on Craig's List.

    Anyone interested in trading Nikon gear for a mint condition Epson 7600 24" printer? (with tons of ink)

    Posted 1 year ago #
13. 

    SkintBrit
    

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    Sorry to hear your news also R8R, they made you check a pelican 1510? That's the case I use and it's specifically designed to be FAA carry on size! What was that all about?

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. 

    elvishefer
    

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    I find airlines to be picky about carry on weight as of late... then again, last time I flew my camera bag was 20kg overweight.

    Posted 1 year ago #
15. 

    SkintBrit
    

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    You wouldn't want to try and lift my 1510, I sometimes feel it's bolted to the ground!

    Posted 1 year ago #
16. 

    scoobysmak
    

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    I admit I really don't have any suggestions for the problem that was created by the vanishing act, suck is a rather mild term to say the least.

    I admit I fly with a pelican 1510 as well. In your smaller regional jets it will fit in most overhead bins but very snug. I have gate checked my gear several times but so far its never been lost (guess I need to like knock on wood at this point). In your bigger planes I have never had a problem other than I had to put my case 10 rows behind me because my connecting flight arrived late and the plane I boarded was full.

    I will also say my 1510 case is usually heaver than my suitcase so if they really wanted to push the issue I would probalby have to baggage check my gear and pay an overweight fee.

    I would really like to hear the outcome of this as I usually fly Continental airlines. Since United Airlines merged with them its now one and the same.

    Posted 1 year ago #
17. 

    spraynpray
    

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    Hey Skinty - how do you get on with the likes of Ryan Air or Easy Jet with a case that size?

    Posted 1 year ago #
18. 

    R8R
    

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    Thing is I was about to argue tooth and nail to bring the case on board with me, but as soon as I realized I might miss the flight I gave in. My outbound trip had been delayed 12 hours at SFO, which made me miss several potential connector flights, which landed me at my final destination (Amsterdam) about 15 hours later than scheduled, after being stuck in airports the whole time. I just wanted to get home.

    Then coming back this gate check fiasco, and THEN they cancel the flight anyway leaving me stuck in Chicago till the next day, so I should have held onto the case!! I'm just gutted.

    Only D7000 I can find in stock locally has the (to me) craptastic 18-105mm kit lens. I'm looking for a cheap used body for now to get me through this next trip, then I'll invest in something more current later in the year. (D400 please?)

    Oh and like I said above: excellent condition Epson 7600 24" wide format printer up for trade, with TONS of ink (220ml cartridges) and a partial roll of fine art paper. I'm willing to crate/ship but pickup (north bay SF area) is preferred. (sorry...was that spammy?)

    Posted 1 year ago #
19. 

    kyoshinikon
    

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    That sucks :C

    One pro photog I know mails his stuff to his location to avoid just this. If I was starting over based on a 5k budget, I would get a used D700 & a D7000, a 17-35mm, 50mm, 80-200mm, 10.5mm, and a sb700...

    Get the D7000 and stop by Calumet Chicago and get a wide and a mid...

    Posted 1 year ago #
20. 

    Henrik1963
    

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    Looking at my D700 with 24-70 and my D90 with 16-85 I would say go with a DX body for travel.

    On the other hand I have a good back pack that will hold my D700 with 24-70, a 14-24, a 70-200, a 105 and a SB 900 - but it is a lot to carry around. But it is small enough to take on a plane.

    The difference between a DX and a FF body is not bad. But the glass - that will make a huge difference. You need to consider that before moving to FF.

    Sorry to hear about your loss of equipment. I hope it will work out for you.

    Posted 1 year ago #
21. 

    SkintBrit
    

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    R8R, If I was in your position I would have faught to keep it with me too. I watched one of those airline programs once that showed a neat trick that might help any of us in a similar situation. Funnily enough I think he was also being asked to check some very expensive film equipment, all he said to the check in clerk was "that's no problem........if you could just sign a receipt on company letterhead stating that I'm unhappy with the idea due to the fragile and significant cost of the contents, but that you give me no option and take full responsibility for my equipment and certify that it's £40,000 value, and my loss of earnings are fully insured by the airline should the bag go missing or it's contents be damaged, no problem!"

    She let him take his bag on! :-)

    @scoobysmack, the trick there is to try and make the case look like it has no weight even if your eyes are about to pop out under the strain. I've never had my hand luggage weighed. Maybe I've just been lucky? You're right, my 1510 is normally far heavier than my suitcase.

    @spraynpray, it can be harder with the budget airlines, but normally I find if you play the psychology or flattery game (doesn't work with blokes) I always get it on. If necessary I just offer to put in under my feet if they say overhead space will be limited, but you're right the budget carriers do seem to be tougher. Maybe I should fly everywhere first class? ;-)

    Posted 1 year ago #
22. 

    PB PM
    

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    Tough luck on that R8R. If I had to start again, I might not even start; I've put too much money into photo gear. On a more serious note, just buy what you had before, if it was good enough then, why not now? If you get a payout bank any extra money beyond what is needed to get the gear back and save for the next thing you need.

    Posted 1 year ago #
23. 

    shawnino
    

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    @R8R:

    What kind of photography are you into?

    Posted 1 year ago #
24. 

    R8R
    

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    shawnino said:
    @R8R:

    What kind of photography are you into?

    I'm in a band, so there's everything related to that. Portraits, action shots of other bands, vacation style pics when on the road, video, etc. Lot's of low-light night club stuff too.

    Then back home it's a lot of chasing my 4 year old son around...

    Picked up a D7000 kit and a new SB-700 yesterday. Jesus what a sweet strobe.

    Posted 1 year ago #
25. 

    msmoto
    

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    R8R said:
    I'm in a band, so there's everything related to that. Portraits, action shots of other bands, vacation style pics when on the road, video, etc. Lot's of low-light night club stuff too.

    Then back home it's a lot of chasing my 4 year old son around...

    Picked up a D7000 kit and a new SB-700 yesterday. Jesus what a sweet strobe.

    Sounds good... but which lens do you have? I now you called the 18-105mm less than your favorite, and I recently sold the one I had because I was going to FX, but in reviewing some old images, the 18-105 was actually quite sharp. So, let us know how all the stuff works out.

    And, I recently took out an insurance policy with my homeowners to cover "all-risk" with a $500 deductible, But this covers dropping, theft, breakage, and of course if the airline misplaces your equipment you will collect from both claims.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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