Nikon D5300 for £350 legit?

Mark A · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:15

Hi,

I'm looking into getting a new camera, but cant afford to pay £500+ at the moment. I have seen a few cheaper stores popup in a google search with the camera listed at around £350. Will these be grey imports? Is it worth the risk?

I have had my D80 for years and taken thousands of photos without a problem, so I'm tempted to take the risk and get a cheaper one. Either that or wait for a second hand one.

Are we allowed to mention the stores? I seem to remember a certain Chinese store being recommended a lot a few years back, but can't remember the name of it.

vanandjuanunited · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:18

Grey - yes
Worth it. Yes

Guessing this is portus

413x · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:22

I get all my products (if new) from one UK grey supplier that offer 3yr warranty
That's more than a lot of uk places
Have also heard people have had success with claims

I've saved so much probably a whole. Probably so much that I could buy another 2 70Ds and STILL be in pocket

Mark A · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:33

Thanks, I think I have just found the store you're talking about

. I'll do a bit more reading but think i will just go for it as I also need a longer lens to replace my kit 18-135 lens I got with my D80, but that will have to wait for now.

EDIT: Thanks vanandjuanunited

Mark A · 23 Apr 2015 at 22:44

Edit: sorted

traveyb · 24 Apr 2015 at 12:48

Any chance you can you share the name of said place or trust me it?

Steve M · 24 Apr 2015 at 12:59

Just look on ebay. Plenty on there UK stock, brand new.

Goodie · 26 Apr 2015 at 18:51

I purchased my D5300 from HDEW a month or so ago, all went well, ordered on the Sunday, turned up the following Thursday, also came with a 3 year warranty card. Think I paid around about £385 with the 18-55 kit.

Mark A · 26 Apr 2015 at 20:28

Nice, i have heard good things about them so think i will go with them. How are you finding the camera?

Hmm, its only £35 more for the 18-55 kit, but not sure i'd need that lens as I already have an 18-135mm. I would like to replace this with a 18-200 VRII at some point.

Goodie · 26 Apr 2015 at 21:13

Brilliant so far, although my opportunities to use it have been fairly limited. Bought a 55-300 lens from a friend for £100 as he had recently upgraded. Got a few nice pics from Chester Zoo, although this was my first time using a DSLR. On the subject of HDEW they're uk based (I've got Surrey in my head), there was something that I wanted clarification on so gave them a call, answered straight away and got the help I needed, can't fault them really.

Mark A · 28 Apr 2015 at 14:38

Great to hear, I think this new camera should be a nice step up from my D80.

Does anyone know whether I would get a battery and charger if I went for a body only?

Also would it be worth trying to sell my old D80? It has 17390 shutter count according to nikonshuttercount.com.

vanandjuanunited · 28 Apr 2015 at 14:43

Yes you do.

Mark A · 28 Apr 2015 at 14:48

Thanks, so I could just get the camera for now and then if I manage to sell my D80 some time use that money for a new lens.

Although I'm not sure it would be worth selling as I have had it for a good few years and it's a little bit tatty. Still works great though, so it's a shame it'll end up sitting in my camera bag unused

. I might just give it my mum or something.

vanandjuanunited · 28 Apr 2015 at 14:51

Not sure about value so can't help.
Spare batteries and grip are cheap from Amazon etc.

Mark A · 2 May 2015 at 13:17

Ordered

One thing I thought seemed a bit dodgy is on the payment screen it didnt have the green text in the address bar to show the information is encrypted.

Now I just need to decide on a lens. I use my 18-135 quite a bit, but feel like getting the 18-140 VR would be more of a sidegreade rather than an upgrade, or would the VR make a lot of difference? Is there a better 'all in one' lens worth looking at?

One lens I have wanted for a long time is the Tamron 90mm macro, but it used to be like £90 and is now £350 :eek:

. So I think i'd rather go for Nikons 105mm macro instead. But I'll have to save up for that and use my 60mm macro for now, although the auto focus will no longer work.

Goodie · 3 May 2015 at 22:21

Did you go for the 5300 in the end then? I'm sure you won't be disappointed, post back with how you get on

Can't help on the lenses I'm afraid, I'm too new at this game to have anything worthwhile to share

Mark A · 4 May 2015 at 00:47

Yeah went for the 5300, body only for now. From what I have read it sounds like a very good camera for the price. The articulating screen was a big selling point for me as I have this on a Canon point and shoot and it is really useful.

Can't wait to get it and have a play. I'll miss the lcd screen on top of the D80 that shows the current shutter speed etc and the front dial for changing the aperture. The internal motor in the D80 is also useful as I have a Nikon 60mm macro lens that needs it for autofucus, but if I get the 105mm macro that will replace that lens so it shouldn't be an issue.

Mark A · 8 May 2015 at 16:11

Goodie said:
Did you go for the 5300 in the end then? I'm sure you won't be disappointed, post back with how you get on

Can't help on the lenses I'm afraid, I'm too new at this game to have anything worthwhile to share

Got the camera today. I thought they had sent me the 18-55mm kit, but it turns out they have just put the camera in the wrong box, or removed the kit lens. Is that normal?

Another thing I wanted to ask you is did you get a manual with your camera? I have found one online, but would have preferred a proper manual.

Sorry to keep pestering

Need to get some sort of screen protector I think as i can see myself scratching the lcd.

http://www.expertshield.com/nikon-d5300-expert-shield.html - this seems like it'll do the job.

Goodie · 9 May 2015 at 21:56

I had the kit lens on my order so it all came together in the usual packaging, including the manual, the only thing that showed it to be grey to me was the HK on the side of the box (I think it was). Alongside the box there was a warrenty card from the third party. Did you call them to discuss? Seem's strange. Your welcome to my manual if you want it..?

I haven't got a screen protector yet, suppose thats something that I should get, although I don't think my screen would take much (if any damage) with it being folded back in when not in use.

Mark A · 10 May 2015 at 03:03

Thanks for the kind offer, but I found a pdf online so have been having a read of that. I'll have a word with them to see if they can send me one as i'd still like a proper manual to stick in my camera bag.

I ordered one of those screen protectors I linked to so I'll report back if its any good. I am just worried about scratching it while it is folded out as I plan to use the screen in liveview a lot.

Really pleased with the camera after having a play with it today. Love the folding screen, I wish all cameras had this feature, it should come in handy for macro work.