7500 kit from Costco

Whatnext

Senior Member
Has anyone used this set up? I am thinking about getting it once I save up enough for it. It will be used mostly for taking pics of the family, especially their sporting events and camping trips. I was originally looking at the D500 but after the body and a decent lens I think I will be over budget. I'm wondering if this kit will be a good choice for now and build with lenses later. It's definitely more camera then I know what to do with for now but I don't want to outgrow it either.

Here is a link to it, hopefully it works

Thanks for any advise!
 

nickt

Senior Member
Its a good camera with decent starter lenses. How deep into the hobby do you want to get? The costco d3400 kit might serve your needs. You won't be able to tell the pictures apart. The huge difference is the user interface and less features on the d3400. The d7500 will be much easier if you want to change settings on the fly as you shoot. The d3400 is less friendly that way, you need to get into the menus. Less features overall too. Some don't need all the features, they just want to take pictures. So think about your path. I'm not trying to talk you out of the d7500, just making you aware that more money does not automatically get you better images. It gets you better, faster, more convenient tools. When you are ready, you will have to put in some work to take advantage of those tools. So think about where you want to go with the hobby. If this will be for all of the family to use, the d3400 is smaller and lighter.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I completely understand, and yes Sir that is the bundle I am looking at.
That's a pretty decent bundle in my opinion without any of the junk accessories that so often come with bundled kits. I suspect the spare battery is third-party, but at least it's a spare and it's quite possible it's a very good spare. It comes with the latest (P) versions of both the 18-55mm and 70-300mm which, while both lenses are a tad slow, have very, very good image quality. Simple answer: Very good kit. Great place to start. If you're unsure how deeply you want to get into photography buy the kit, go forth and be happy!

Could you spend more on a more advanced body? Of course. But I think anything much beyond would be an exercise in Diminishing Returns. If you're intention is to stick with more casual shooting the two bundled lenses will serve you well. And if you DO you decide you do want to get into photography right up to your arm pits, the D7500 has the horsepower to take you a long, long way down that path.

If, and only IF... You're sure you're dead serious about this, and have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket I could suggest you buy a D7500 body (sans kit altogether) and consider putting any spare cash into some seriously top-notch glass (which can separate you - quickly - from any spare ducats you may have set aside for this). D7500 bodies (no lenses no spare battery, nothing else) sell for $1,250 or about $400 less than your Costco bundle. Going this more advanced route in my mind means considering learning to shoot raw images and post-process them; which is an entirely new can of worms and a whole different side of photography you may or may not want to pursue. It just depends on how far you think you want to take this whole Photography Thing and of course... How much you want to spend.
 

Whatnext

Senior Member
Thank you for the replies. I'd like to use this as a starter and continue growing with photography as I go. The main focus will be pics of the family and when the kids are playing sports but I don't want to limit myself.

Maybe going spelarate and not getting the bundle would possibly serve me better. What would be a good lens to start with in your opinions? I want something I can take shots with around the house but also reach out and take pictures while my daughter is on the softball field. Something that is fairly quick and takes good action shots would be preferred. Would sometbing like the 28-300 or 28-400 be a good fit? I think I saw tamerons on adorama for about $800 or around there. That might keep me in budget as well. Thanks again for any advice.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Thank you for the replies. I'd like to use this as a starter and continue growing with photography as I go. The main focus will be pics of the family and when the kids are playing sports but I don't want to limit myself.

Maybe going spelarate and not getting the bundle would possibly serve me better. What would be a good lens to start with in your opinions? I want something I can take shots with around the house but also reach out and take pictures while my daughter is on the softball field. Something that is fairly quick and takes good action shots would be preferred. Would something like the 28-300 or 28-400 be a good fit? I think I saw tamerons on adorama for about $800 or around there. That might keep me in budget as well. Thanks again for any advice.
Having given this some additional thought, I'd be really hard pressed to come up with a better selection of lenses for general purpose photography.

For instance, I could suggest the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2; a faster, constant aperture zoom, but (and there's ALWAYS a "but...") 1. it's $1,300 lens and 2. you'd be giving up 100mm of focal length vs the bundled 70-300mm for the extra speed (f/2.8 at 200mm vs f/6.3 at 300mm). And while I think that's significant, it generates the sort of discussion that could go on for some time.

Executive Summary: Get the bundle. It's good... It's really good.
 

bgrammar

New member
Thank you for the replies. I'd like to use this as a starter and continue growing with photography as I go. The main focus will be pics of the family and when the kids are playing sports but I don't want to limit myself.

Maybe going spelarate and not getting the bundle would possibly serve me better. What would be a good lens to start with in your opinions? I want something I can take shots with around the house but also reach out and take pictures while my daughter is on the softball field. Something that is fairly quick and takes good action shots would be preferred. Would sometbing like the 28-300 or 28-400 be a good fit? I think I saw tamerons on adorama for about $800 or around there. That might keep me in budget as well. Thanks again for any advice.

I'd suggest the Nikon 18-200vr zoom.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-p...dx-nikkor-18-200mm-f%2f3.5-5.6g-ed-vr-ii.html

It's $650 new, less used, but you can't buy a better single lens solution for all around shooting for a Nikon DX camera. I've owned it for the last 10 years, first on a D-80 and now the D7500. Ken Rockwell has a great review plus there are many others. It's versatile, easy to use, very sharp and any lens distortion (there's not a lot here) can be taken care of in Photoshop or lightroom.
 
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Whatnext

Senior Member
Thank you for the responses. Definitely a lot to think about. I won't be able to get the camera until February so I'm going to do a lot of research on lenses while I'm waiting. For now i think I am looking at getting the kit and save up while I learn the camera with the kit lenses then add some better lenses as I can afford them. I'm sure this will change next week. But for now this is what I'm thinking.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Thank you for the responses. Definitely a lot to think about. I won't be able to get the camera until February so I'm going to do a lot of research on lenses while I'm waiting. For now i think I am looking at getting the kit and save up while I learn the camera with the kit lenses then add some better lenses as I can afford them. I'm sure this will change next week. But for now this is what I'm thinking.

Keep watch at places like B&H or Adorama. Usually Nikon offers sales around the holiday (end of November or beginning of December), and quite often there are body/lens combos with great prices. You might be able to find something else with a similar cost.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
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You are correct. I saw one on adorama for the body and a Nikon 28-300 which is only $200 more than costco and very tempting.

I don't think the holiday sales are posted yet, but if you get something from Adorama or B&H and the price goes down, they tend to be pretty good with refunding the difference within so many days of purchase.
 

was_a_guru

Senior Member
One cautionary note. I bought this package from Costco. The box and an insert in it indicates when you register with Nikon you get an extended service coverage (ESC) on both the lenses and camera. That turned out not to be exactly true. I got the ESC on the lenses from Nikon but not the camera. Costco (check out the camera on their online site) warranties the camera body only for the ESC. So I am covered - lenses via Nikon, camera via Costco. Bit of a hassle to get it straightened out though.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Has anyone used this set up? I am thinking about getting it once I save up enough for it. It will be used mostly for taking pics of the family, especially their sporting events and camping trips. I was originally looking at the D500 but after the body and a decent lens I think I will be over budget. I'm wondering if this kit will be a good choice for now and build with lenses later. It's definitely more camera then I know what to do with for now but I don't want to outgrow it either.

Here is a link to it, hopefully it works

Thanks for any advise!

Welcome :)

For pics of the family and camping trips, that is quite an advanced body. Do you plan to take your photography further? Do you plan to shoot off-auto much now or in the near future?


For only $600 USD you could buy the D3400 Kit and get the very same lenses with it. That would be my suggestion based on what you've stated you would like to shoot for now. It is a very capable camera that will take very nice family photos for sure and save you a boatload of cash in the process.

Link: https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3400-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100313565.html
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
One cautionary note. I bought this package from Costco. The box and an insert in it indicates when you register with Nikon you get an extended service coverage (ESC) on both the lenses and camera. That turned out not to be exactly true. I got the ESC on the lenses from Nikon but not the camera. Costco (check out the camera on their online site) warranties the camera body only for the ESC. So I am covered - lenses via Nikon, camera via Costco. Bit of a hassle to get it straightened out though.
That's really interesting because to me that's THE biggest of Big Red Flags indicating the body, at least, is grey market. Not that I have a problem with grey market; quite the opposite actually. It would also explain what I'm guessing would be a discount of roughly $200 over other vendors non-grey market bundles of the same kit? I say that because in comparing grey market bodies to non-grey market, the savings, generally speaking, works out to about $200; which is what I'm guessing is the hidden price Nikon assigns their warranty.
 

Whatnext

Senior Member
Welcome :)

For pics of the family and camping trips, that is quite an advanced body. Do you plan to take your photography further? Do you plan to shoot off-auto much now or in the near future?


For only $600 USD you could buy the D3400 Kit and get the very same lenses with it. That would be my suggestion based on what you've stated you would like to shoot for now. It is a very capable camera that will take very nice family photos for sure and save you a boatload of cash in the process.

Link: https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3400-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100313565.html


My daughter plays travel softball and my boys are about the age where we are going to start them in sports so I was looking at the D7500 mainly for the speed for the sports aspect. I also want to start taking my photography a little further in the future, nothing professional, I don't think I have the guts to do anything like weddings or events where people get upset for not having the correct pictures, but I would like to start getting more in depth later on. I am getting a bonus from work which between that and the rebate we get back at the end of the year from Costco it will put me right at what I need to purchase this set up and that was another reason I am looking at this but I am not apposed to other retailers or other cameras that will handle what I want. thank you for the advise
 

Whatnext

Senior Member
One cautionary note. I bought this package from Costco. The box and an insert in it indicates when you register with Nikon you get an extended service coverage (ESC) on both the lenses and camera. That turned out not to be exactly true. I got the ESC on the lenses from Nikon but not the camera. Costco (check out the camera on their online site) warranties the camera body only for the ESC. So I am covered - lenses via Nikon, camera via Costco. Bit of a hassle to get it straightened out though.


I am getting used to things being a hassle, as long as I am covered in case something goes wrong. Costco is usually pretty good about standing behind their products and they have at times let me return things even if it has been past the 3 month no questions asked return window. It would be nice if they could streamline it and make it easy though. I guess that would be asking too much.
 

nickt

Senior Member
No myRe: 7500 kit from Costco

My daughter plays travel softball and my boys are about the age where we are going to start them in sports so I was looking at the D7500 mainly for the speed for the sports aspect. I also want to start taking my photography a little further in the future, nothing professional, I don't think I have the guts to do anything like weddings or events where people get upset for not having the correct pictures, but I would like to start getting more in depth later on. I am getting a bonus from work which between that and the rebate we get back at the end of the year from Costco it will put me right at what I need to purchase this set up and that was another reason I am looking at this but I am not apposed to other retailers or other cameras that will handle what I want. thank you for the advise
It sounds like you have a good plan. My advice to get the most from that camera would be to be sure you understand the basics of exposure, aka 'the exposure triangle'. Watch a few videos or read an article, it's not a huge learning project. But do it before you even read the owner's manual. With that knowlege, you will have more appreciation for the owner's manual. Don't save it for someday when you grow into it. Shoot a few shots on full auto the first day to test it out, but then get right down to business and learn how those controls can help you achieve the exposure you want. Get yourself into shutter or aperture mode as soon as possible. You will know when it's time to try manual.
 

carguy

Senior Member
My daughter plays travel softball and my boys are about the age where we are going to start them in sports so I was looking at the D7500 mainly for the speed for the sports aspect. I also want to start taking my photography a little further in the future, nothing professional, I don't think I have the guts to do anything like weddings or events where people get upset for not having the correct pictures, but I would like to start getting more in depth later on. I am getting a bonus from work which between that and the rebate we get back at the end of the year from Costco it will put me right at what I need to purchase this set up and that was another reason I am looking at this but I am not apposed to other retailers or other cameras that will handle what I want. thank you for the advise

Sounds good.
The camera and glass will be fine for shooting sports outside, during the daylight. If they are indoors or at night (under the lights) you will want a better lens.

Depending on your budget, consider a Nikon 85mm f1.8G, Tamron or Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 for starters

Costco has an excellent return policy, better than most stores we use personally. Let us know how it goes :)
 
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