Hot deal Nikon Coolpix 950 Feb 17

[ohio737]

PhotoAlley.com is giving $25 off $200, $50 off $400, or $100 off $600. Pretty good deal
if you're looking for a camera. The Nikon Coolpix 950 can be had for $480 after rebate
& coupon. Shipping is free for $100+ orders.
PhotoAlley

 

[Turkey]

Definitely a good deal, but probably not smoking hot. I got the 800 about 6 months ago for $475, and by all accounts the 950 is better in every regard except size than the 800. If I were buying a new Nikon now though, I would spend a little extra on the 880, which is smaller and has a superset of the 950/990 features except the swivelling LCD. Photoalley has it for $649 minus whatever rebates or coupons are out there.

 

[gittyup]

I would say that is a good price for a great camera!

 

[Methusela]

Folks, this is a pretty decent deal on a very high quality camera, but I'd like you ALL to note one HUGE problem this camera has:

NO USB INTERFACE!!!

OMFG for a camera who's highest quality setting can create 8meg files, you're f*cked with the 125kbps serial port transfers.

If you want to get a smart card reader, you'll be looking at spending the amount you've saved on the camera with this thread.

I love the 950, hate serial connectors.

 

[Ribbet]

Methusela,

You're right, of course, about the lack of USB ports in 950s/800s . But CF readers are available for about $25-$30 (we paid about $10 after Buy.Com coupons; Buy.Com currently list our Sandisk CF reader for $24.78).

Also Lexar's CF cards with "Jumpshot Cables" plug directly into USB ports, eliminating the need for a CF reader. Neither option is perfect; but inexpensive options are available to avoid sluggish (and battery-eating) serial port connections.

You're also right -- the 950 is great.

 

[Moz]

Awesome camera, great price compared to what I paid for mine.

 

[mrVW]

Back near Thanksgiving the same deal could be had plus 20% kickback from Microsoft for using Passport... got one for $380.

Awesome camera. Not as featured as the newer 990 (which is also due to be replaced soon)... but quality is good, even almost 2 years after the release of the 950!

Sample Photos I took with my 950, using NO tripod or any add-on... just the base camera - these have not been edited in any way, raw copies right off the Compact Flash.

 

[lazyboy]

I got the 880 its really nice.

 

[Methusela]

mrVW:

Are you freakin' nuts? Trying to kill that ram?

Nice picture, but the display surface is carpet!!! wt? haha =o

BTW, folks, the Coolpix 950 is THE best macro camera out there, STILL to this DAY, under $4000.00, even though, as you say, the model is nearly two years old.

How's that for engineering?

=))

BTW, for the prosumer (professional level consumer) photographer out there, this camera is the best you can get for the money.
It's raw flexibilty, capabilities, and price combine to offer AMAZING performance at a nearly-amazing price =)

For a great (though LENGTHY) review of this camera, visit THIS LINK

 

[whizbang]

For USB Reader, suggest the PNY Dual Slot USB Reader from Buy.com for about $36 before any coupons. Covers you for reading Smartmedia, Compact Flash or IBM Microdrive. Each slot shows up as a drive in Windows Exploder and you can drag and drop files to and from your cards.

 

[yodayoda]

awesome camera--i picked my up for $500 with a 64MB CF card from onvia (back before they sucked). you're right--lack of USB support hurts, but CF card readers as cheap as they are, not that big a deal. you know, forget that dual SM/CF reader, just get a good CF reader only. how often you gonna need that SM reader anyway? buy.com had the Sandisk CF USB reader for $22, and i think it may even be cheaper elsewhere. but overall, definitely the camera to get when you are down playing around with your $20 jamcam from etoys and want to join the big leagues in digicams.

 

[PicPop]

dont forget go through ebates for another 5% off....
5% off 500 is a huge saving

 

[Herman]

I have a Nikon 950 and a JVC GC-QX3U. Both are new and I can't decide which one to Flea and which one to keep.

 

[fitzm]

Got mine from Photoalley a couple of months ago for $340 with instant/mail-in rebates and ebates etc. This thing chomps batteries so readers are the only way to go any way you look at it.

I couldn't find the original thread to this deal but here are some useful links someone posted for people who want to know a lot more about this camera.



link

link

link

link

link

link

 

[mrVW]

Methusela: look here Junior, I've been building computers for over 15 years. Putting a RAM stick on carpet isn't going to kill it. I live in Seattle where moisture ensures that static doesn't exist. I carefully SET the RAM on the carpet in a direct down motion... I didn't RUB it on the carpet.

A lot of static on carpet relates to rubber interacting - meaning your shoes. You ever rub a balloon on your head as a kid

Yes, I even THOUGHT about static before doing this. I'm not an idiot

That mystery brand RAM from Planet Upgrade has been running perfect in my 1GB Windows 2000 Server system that gets constant heavy use.

On cameras, I'm still a newbie... but not to computers.

 

[fitzm]

Found one of the original links to a previuos deal and some good advice from ETLA, mrVW, and some others.

An original link

 

[cmatthes1]

You can pick up some remanufactured models of the 950 from pricegrabber for around $400. There is a slim chance that if they give you the original box and a reciept that doesn't say it is remanufactured you could get the $150 off for the rebate too. Might be worth a try...

 

[RossMAN]

I got the surprise of my life today.

1/24 Mailed $150 Nikon 950 rebate.
2/22 Received $150 rebate check from Nikon.

Wow, has anyone else experienced this quick of a turn around time with their $150 Nikon 950 rebate?

 

[hychka]

My Nikon rebate of a year ago is my fastest rebate ever (baring only "instant rebates" at checkout); it clocked in 30 days after my mailing the forms.

Nikon rebates set an excellent quality standard, just like their products do. And that's something to think about with these other offers ...Quantum, UMAX, etc...from companies with such delinquent pay off delays; their products' quality probably mirrors their mgt's attitude on rebates.

My Nikon CoolPix 950 camera is wonderful! Just made a new desktop background scene for my computer from a picture I took in Key Largo last week. Spectacular!

 

[fatboy007]

I love my 950! Had it for over a year and still one of the best.

Don't worry about the lack of a USB interface. Just pick up a CF card reader. IMHO, it's much easier to use the card reader than the camera for transferring pics.

 

[dimwit]

Turkey, I also have the CP800 and am extremely pleased with it ($300 out the door from Mobshop a year ago). I wanted the 950 then but it was twice as much, and not twice as nice. The 950 has the nice swivel, a 3x optical instead of 2x, and a stronger flash. Other than that they are pretty much identical. The 800's flash is really weak, but there are some manual adjustments you can make to compensate that make it acceptable.

The nice thing about the 800 over the 880 is that the 800 uses cheap rechargeable AA NiMHs and the 880 uses a proprietary rechargeable from Nikon, not too cheap.

You have to have NiMHs with the 800 (and 950 too), they eat alkalines like my daughter eats M&Ms.

 

[mrVW]

I own the 950, flash is really weak. really the only poor part of the camera... use external lighting.

 

[rhong]

If you buy the 880, you should opt for the rechargable battery and charger. They're sold separately in most stores, but can be purchased together in a kit.

If you just purchased the camera, and you buy the recharger and battery (either together or separately), there is a rebate from Nikon. You must have purchased the three items between Feb. 11th 2001 and May 1st 2001.

Computers4Sure.com has the battery and charger kit, as well as the items separately.

The Blister Pack at Computers4Sure is the kit and it runs $93.99.

You can get them separately:
AC Adapter/Battery Charger at Computers4Sure for $60.99.
Lithium Ion Rechargable 2CR5 Battery at Computers4Sure for $40.99.

It may be cheaper to get them separately and use the 10-off-100 coupon from
somewhere. Use ebates.com if you have an account with them too.

Either do that or buy the Blister Pack along with another item to put the total over $100: e.g. the carrying case or step down ring.

Happy shopping!

 

[Stylo]

Looks like I acted on this thread a little late -- the Photoalley sale ($100 off $500) was just during last weekend. When I called to see if I could get in on the deal a little late, though, they told me to wait, as they apparently run these weekend sales all the time.

Checked out the refurbs at Pricegrabber, but did you see the ratings of the sellers at Resellerratings? About as bad as I've seen there.

 

[slink]

Nikon Coolpix950 @ camerasound.com, in stock and selling at $508. After $150 rebate cost is $358. Is this a good/hot deal?

Link

Please advice, thanks all.