Archives for August 2017

5pk Meade EclipseView White-Light Solar Viewing Card for $10 w/FS

As we get closer to the eclipse, more offers are coming out. A 5-pack of Meade EclipseView White-Light Solar Viewing Cards is on sale for $10 with free shipping at B&H Photo. You can buy as many as you like.

This is one of a number of eclipse-related offers at B&H, including their Tamron 150-600mm G2 with Marumi 95mm bundle going for $1500 in the Canon, Nikon systems. These two are in-stock. It’s also available in the Sony A but it’s in pre-order status, so it may not get to you by the Eclipse.

One thing scientists won’t have to worry about is finding a theme song for the eclipse 🙂

PS: B&H has also set up a Solar Eclipse Gear page if interested for ideas.

Refurbished Nikon D3400 w/18-55 DX VR and 70-300 DX non-VR w/90-day warranty for $400

Back to the eBay Deals we go, where the Beach Camera ebay store is offering the manufacturer refurbished Nikon D3400 Two-Lens Kit with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX AF-P and 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED DX AF-P non-VR lenses going for $400 with free shipping and a 90-day Nikon USA warranty. This is only available in the black color scheme at the moment. Limit five sets per customer. Over 2200 units have been sold from this listing.

PS: if interested in this camera, don’t forget to first opt-in to the 6% eBay Bucks promotion if you are eligible for it.

YMMV: 6% back in eBay Bucks [no minimum amount]

eBay is rotating between coupons and eBay Bucks promotions, and the pendulum has swung in the direction of eBay Bucks again!

This is YMMV ~ I do not know if eBay offers this to everyone or a subset of their registered users. Good until Monday 3am eastern (8/6/17), you earn 6% eBay Bucks on your purchases This particular promotion has no minimum purchase price, so even a $1 item will get you bonus bucks.

First you have to manually activate the offer from the eBay email or your eBay messages (if invited/selected to participate). Some exclusions apply as usual and the maximum rewards you can earn is $100 per transaction, and $500 during the promotional period. The email title announcing this promotion is not as clear as previous ones, but it has “eBay Bucks” in it, so look for that if you are skimming or filtering eBay emails.

A good place to look for ideas are the eBay Deals along with the Trending Deals (shows only 100 trending deals, less overwhelming to look at than their main deals page). There’s also a dedicated search box there that searches only the Deals, not everything else on eBay.

Another way to look for ideas is our eBay Category posts.

Pre-order new Rode VideoMic Pro Plus On-Camera Shotgun Mic

Camera audio is a sub-category in itself with specialty products appearing as audio + video becomes more prevalent in cameras. Which brings us to the brand new Rode VideoMic Pro Plus On-Camera Shotgun Microphone available fro pre-ordering for $299 at B&H Photo. No shipping date posted yet.

Now shipping: GoodLighter Umbrellas by Photek

New arrivals at B&H Photo, a handful of new GoodLighter Umbrellas by Photek are in-stock and ready to ship, with prices ranging from $54 to $115. Four models are now in-stock and three more are on the way.

Thursday: Vanguard Espod CX 203AGH Aluminum Tripod with GH-20 Pistol-Grip Head for $35 [Fry’s Promo Codes] {or $39 elsewhere}

The new condition Vanguard Espod CX 203AGH Aluminum Tripod with GH-20 Pistol-Grip Head, model ESPOD CX 203AGH, can be yours for $35 at Fry’s, in-store or online, if you use the Fry’s unique promo code from their email newsletters. You can sign up for their newsletters and get the promo code if you are not already subscribed. Limit one per customer.

It has not been priced but it is close enough in price at Amazon by Amazon itself where it goes for the very specific price of $39.43. This is a separate listing from the main listing of the Vanguard Espods.

PS: if you want to make a low budget 50s-style sci-fi movie, dress up your kitchen pots and pans and call them Espods 🙂

Cameraphones: Huawei Honor 6X Dual Camera Unlocked (USA warranty) for $190

If you are looking to try out dual-camera smartphones that won’t break the bank or lock you into a particular carrier, the new condition Huawei Honor 6X Dual Camera Unlocked (USA warranty) is on sale for $190 with free shipping in your choice of silver, gold or gray.

The dual camera is a 12MP + 2MP rear camera, with 3GB RAM, dual SIM, 5.5″ 1080p, Nougat out of the box, etc. It averages 4.3 out of 5 based on 360 customer reviews and it has over 600 questions answered. It works on GSM networks only.

Thursday Lightning Deals: Usual Camera/Photo accessories

There are over 50 items listed in the Camera & Photo lightning deals (old format) or Full Page format (faster to navigate on Desktop) of the Amazon Gold Box. Due to time constraints I cannot create a detailed listing of them all. The usual assortment of LEDs, Tri/Monopods, Action Cams, Bags, Studio/Lighting Kits, and more are running throughout the day.

UPDATE: one of the day-long daily-deals is the Avantree Adjustable Laptop Table going for $30, available in two colors. Offer ends 3am ET on Friday.

Meta: Font of Blog Post Titles is Now Smaller

The bold-o-vision blog-post titles are now smaller-ized. I decreased the font size from whatever it was [40px on full desktop] to 24px. It saves up space on the page, both in terms of being able to fit more text in a single line, and in terms of the actual size of the font. I will check on various devices and make minor adjustments.

If you have any preferences or observe any issues, please leave a comment here or use the online contact form.

PS: if you have a WordPress website and want to do this to your website, and you are using the WordPress Twenty-Sixteen default theme, the change is simple, add this under “Additional CSS” in the Customizer:

.entry-title {
font-size: 24px;
}

You can change the number to make it smaller or larger.

Pre-order discount: HP 14″ ZBook 14u G4 Mobile Workstation for $942

If you are a fan of using mobile workstations (as in more powreful laptops), B&H Photo has a pre-order discount on the HP 14″ ZBook 14u G4 Mobile Workstation. The entry-point model dropped from $982 to $942 with free expedited shipping. There are higher specs as well for more, including touchscreen options. The top model is $1728 with touchscreen, Core i7-7500U Dual-Core, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD, 14″ 1920 x 1080 TN SVA, etc. The shipping estimate is “coming soon”.

Steadicam Merlin 2 Camera Stabilizing System for $200

Another limited time offer at B&H, the new condition Steadicam Merlin 2 Camera Stabilizing System goes for $200 with free expedited shipping.

For more of their offers, check their Back to School sale and their Featured Sale

Dracast LED500 Silver Series Daylight LED Light with 2x L-Series Battery Plates for $259

The new condition Dracast LED500 Silver Series Daylight LED Light with 2x L-Series Battery Plates is on sale for a limited time for $259 with free expedited shipping at B&H Photo.

For more of their offers, check their Back to School sale and their Featured Sale

Lowel GL-1 Power LED for $545 [USED for $400+]

Lighting action now, the new condition Lowel GL-1 Power LED is on sale for a limited time for the very specific price of $544.60 with free standard shipping at B&H Photo

Or if you prefer used gear, used prices start at $400 in “Used – Condition 8+” at B&H Photo

Pre-order Interfit Honey Badger 320Ws kit

Honey Badger cares about lighting! The new Interfit Honey Badger lightning gear are now available for pre-ordering at B&H Photo. The Interfit Honey Badger 320Ws Compact Flash Head goes for $300, while the Interfit Honey Badger 320Ws 2-Light Kit goes for $700. They are expected to begin shipping in mid-August 2017.

PS: actual honey badgers are not included!

PS2: obligatory viral YouTube video.

Refurbished Nikon Coolpix P600 superzoom (60x optical, LiIon) for $199

If you are a fan of Nikon Coolpix superzooms, but not a fan of AA batteries, fear not! We have an option for you too! The black refurbished Nikon Coolpix P600 superzoom (60x optical, Li-Ion) battery is on sale for $199 with free expedited shipping at B&H Photo with a 90-day warranty. This is another one of their latest Featured Sales.

Refurbished red Nikon Coolpix L830 superzoom (34x optical, 4 AA) for $150

If of all the Nikon superzooms it is the red Coolpix L830 the one you want, in refurbished condition, it is going for $150 with free expedited shipping at B&H Photo with a 90-day warranty (I believe B&H covers the warranty; the listing does not specify it explicitly). This is a 34X optical zoom camera powered by four AA batteries.

Bushnell Trophy Cams ($144 to $212; 5 options)

Five Bushnell Trophy Cams are part of a sale running at Amazon with sale prices running between $144~ and $212~. These are not lightning deals, so the sale will last longer, but I do not know the exact expiration date.

Lowepro Slingshot Edge 250 AW for $60 w/free S&H

All that gear need to be properly bagged. Heck, even some of the bags need to be bagged for extra protection 😉 Which brings us to the new condition Lowepro Slingshot Edge 250 AW (black color scheme) on sale for a limited time for $60 with free expedited shipping at B&H Photo

For more of their offers, check their Back to School sale and their Featured Sale

UPDATE: here’s another bag sale at B&H, for $20 with free shipping, you can get the Case Logic Jaunt Backpack for 15.6″ Laptop in green or red color schemes. This is not a camera bag. This is a limited time sale.

UPDATE #2: also on sale is the Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II (Black) for $80 with free expedited shipping.

Sony PXW-FS5 4K XDCAM for $4749, w/18-105 for $5249

A new instant savings promotion running throughout August 2017 offers the new condition Sony PXW-FS5 4K XDCAM Body Only for $4749 with free expedited shipping, or bundled with the 18-105mm f4G OSS lens for $5249. This camera uses a Super 35 CMOS Sensor… Optionally, Adorama offers financing opportunities, check the “Take Note” section on the product page over there for details…

Starting October 2nd, you can return items purchased from 3rd-party Amazon sellers without contacting them

Starting October 2nd in 2017, Amazon will activate a new policy that makes it easier for buyers to return products purchased and shipped directly from 3rd-party sellers. You will no longer have to contact the 3rd-party seller for a return. You will be able to do it using the Amazon website which will print a prepaid (by the seller) return-shipping label. So the return process will be similar to that of products shipped or fulfilled by Amazon itself.

There’s also a new option for (non-)returning low-cost or high-shipping items or defective items. The sellers have the option to opt-in for “returnless refunds”, where the cost or condition of the item may be such that it would cost the seller more money to process a return, so they’ll instead let the customer keep the item while still issuing them a refund.

From a Buyer perspective, this is great news as it will weed out some of the more iffy or careless sellers, and give you more flexibility in being able to easily return products that are unsatisfactory or defective or otherwise not-as-described.

But from a seller perspective, this is a “sky is falling” moment, where worries of all kinds are expressed by Amazon sellers in multiple threads in the Sellers forum. Fraudulent returns, “free rentals”, losing big on return fees and shipping, feeling pressed into using “fulfilled by Amazon” and so forth.

More details at CNBC.com.

(ENDED) 15% off Lenses and Flashes, 10% off Cameras at KEH with coupon

This coupon promotion expired; but if you missed it, stay tuned to the blog for future promotions as KEH has coupons from time to time…

[Read more…]

(ENDED) 9.7-inch 32GB iPad (2017 model) for $279

As of a late 8/2/17 re-check, this offer ended…

If you are tempted by the 2017 9.7-inch iPad, Adorama has a doorbuster sale on the 9.7-inch 32GB iPad (2017 model) on the Space Gray color scheme for $279 with free expedited shipping. Limit two units at the sale price. The other colors go for their regular price of $329. This is the Wifi-only model. This is model MP2F2LL/A.

Wednesday Lightning Deals: Usual Camera/Photo accessories

There are over 40 items listed in the Camera & Photo lightning deals (old format) or Full Page format (faster to navigate on Desktop) of the Amazon Gold Box. Due to time constraints I cannot create a detailed listing of them all. The usual assortment of LEDs, Tri/Monopods, Action Cams, Bags, Studio/Lighting Kits, and more are running throughout the day.

+ starts 3:20am ET: NIX 18.5 inch Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame with Motion Sensor (price before sale $210)

+ variety of telescopes throughout the day

Amazon Warehouse Deals Bargain Bin: Ever Ready SX-7XX Case for $4+; APE Metro for $10; Fotodiox T- to M43 for $5; Kenko, Etc

Amazon Warehouse Deals is where Amazon itself and 3rd-party sellers are offering used and refurbished products through the Amazon website. A new twist on the Warehouse Deals website is that Amazon has launched a Clearance Section for it, they call it the “Bargain Bin”, where items are further discounted. A total of 24 departments are participating at the moment.

When you drill down the categories on the left-hand side over there, under “Electronics” you will find a Camera and Photo sub-category that includes 57 items as of the time of writing.

Among them, sorted by price, in ascending order:

+ USED Kenko 49mm Pro Softon Type-A Multi-Coated Camera Lens Filter for $3.63

+ USED MegaGear “Ever Ready” Protective Leather Camera Case for Canon SX-7XX series of P&S cameras for $4+
+ multiple colors available; drill further down by color to see all the options for that particular color

+ USED Fotodiox Lens Mount Adapter (T-mount to M43rds cameras) for $4.78

+ USED Kenko 62mm Center Image Camera Lens Filter for $6~

+ USED Ape Case ACPRO342W Metro Collection Medium Camera Case (Black) for $10.32

+ USED Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC for $212 in the Canon EF version

+ free shipping for Prime members, or with a $25+/$35+ order

NewEGG with MasterPass coupon: $10 off $100+ or $25 off $200+

Masterpass is Mastercard’s answer to VISA’s “VISA Checkout”. Masterpass is running a limited time promotion at the NewEgg website. If you pay for your order with Masterpass (instead of the other payment options available there), and enter promo code MPBTS17, you will receive either $10 off a $100+ order or $25 off a $200+ order. The usual restrictions apply.

Free to Watch (with Ads): “The Invisible Wildlife Photographer” (2011)

And now, welcome to the Noisy Cinema Club 😉 Amazon has a variety of video options. One of the lesser known options is to watch some movies for FREE but with ads. One of these options is the The Invisible Wildlife Photographer (2011) (51 minutes; Bence Mate). It averages 4.7 out of 5 based on 5 customer reviews.

I added it to my Watch List but I haven’t watched it yet. We will discuss this movie at the next “Noisy Cinema Club”. Popcorn is included 🙂

PS: make sure you click on the “Free With Ads” button, not the Rent or Buy buttons that have a price on them.

25% off USED Nikon D7000 or 70-300 DX with coupon

KEH Camera has Weekly Featured Deals and you can get 25% off those weekly specials using coupon code KEHDEALS over there. As of the time of writing, the options include the Nikon D7000 body only, and the 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 G ED DX AF-P lens. Prices before the coupon start at $367 and $228 respectively. Prices vary by condition and available stock. Their weekly deals run Sunday though Friday each week. So these offers are good until Friday night.

Dell Refurbished August Coupons: 25% off Monitors; Dell Latitude & OptiPlex coupons

Dell Refurbished is Dell’s arm that specializes in reselling off-lease computer gear. They typically come with a 100-day warranty from Dell. The coupons below are good for the whole month of August 2017. Free ground shipping. As usual, the coupons below exclude clearance items.

+ 25% off any Dell Monitor with Coupon Code AUGDEAL4

+ $250 off any Dell Latitude E7440 Laptop with Coupon Code: AUGDEAL1

+ $175 off any Dell Latitude E6440 Laptop with Coupon Code AUGDEAL2

+ $150 off any Dell OptiPlex 9020 Desktopwith Coupon Code AUGDEAL3

+ coupons expire 8/31/17 at 11:59pm central time

In-Stock Now: Sigma 14mm f1.8 DG ART for $1599 [C/N/Si]

Good news if you are interested in the Sigma 14mm f1.8 DG ART HSM lens! All three versions of the lens (Canon, Nikon, Sigma SLR systems) are in-stock and ready to ship at its starting price of $1599 with free shipping at Adorama.

At B&H Photo, they have the Canon EF version in-stock for the same price.

At Amazon some 3rd-party sellers have some versions in some kits, for example, Cameta has the Canon EF version bundled with a handful of accessories going for the same price (ships directly from Cameta but Prime-members get Prime-like free delivery).

USED Zeiss 135mm f2 (Canon EF) for $900+

The sale of the new condition is also good news if you are interested in buying USED lenses from reputable dealers. The used version of the Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* ZE (Canon EF) is available for as low as $900 with free shipping in USED Condition 8+ at B&H Photo.

If you are not familiar with B&H Used pages, each individual listing page has detailed on the Condition, and further down the page, on the right side, under “In The Box” shows what’s included. Here’s an example, the aforementioned lens. Used items sold by B&H come with a 90-day warranty covered by B&H (not the manufacturer). Given some spotty service by some manufacturers on some products, this may actually be a plus 🙂

PS: the Nikon version is nowhere near as low, it starts at $1200+…