Friend coming from Spore - what to buy?

[anm]

One of my friends is coming from S'pore and has agreed to shop and carry reasonable weight stuff for me, as he is coming on a very short trip without his family.
What should I ask him to get? I know a lot would depend on my preferences, but I want some eye opener suggestions.
Some categories

- ipad 2 - already asked him for 32GB 3G.

- lens for D90 dslr - 50mm AFS 1.4 - a little too expensive, thinking of ordering AF-S 1.8 but it is very new and may not be available by the time he goes for shopping.

- camera bag + flash + remote etc

- AVR - need suggestions. I need dual hdmi outputs (unless there are cheap splitters that do not degrade anything) for projector and TV, front left/ right pre-amp, and latest support for hdmi versions etc, if that matters a lot.

- bdp that is worth getting from spore.

Anything else that you would suggest? Amp/ speakers/ TT - not buying without listening so not ordering.

 

[Bluu]

You didn't mention your budget!

 

[wlg]

Check out local prices before ordering, things may be cheaper here

 

[anm]

budget is middle class depends on what item I go for, no constraints in my mind as of now.

 

[ravi_d]

- lens for D90 dslr - 50mm AFS 1.4 - a little too expensive, thinking of ordering AF-S 1.8 but it is very new and may not be available by the time he goes for shopping.

I own a D90 with 18mm to 105mm kit lens. I bought 50mm 1.8D lens few months ago. You don't need 50mm 1.4D or 50mm 1.4G unless you are into serious photography and I read the price difference don't justify the performance increase between 1.8 and 1.4.
Nikon launched 50mm 1.8G recently which should be slightly better than 1.8D. May be you should try that after reading some reviews.

 

[anm]

thanks Ravi. I have switched back to buying a 50mm 1.8 which may be available locally. Doesn't make sense to get it from spore for sacing 500-1000 rs. I am seriously thinking about a tokina 116 11-16mm - but supply is a problem world wide. Let's see.

 

[Bluu]

I agree with wlg. Do your research to make sure the AVR you pinpoint is a good deal in SG. Also, best if you go for the usual suspects - Denon 2311 for example.

Also, splitters should not degrade anything since HDMI is a digital signal. Like someone said, it'll either work or it won't

 

[just4kix]

iPad 2: Really? You like the ipad? Granted that it is sleek and sexy but nothing else. In my honest opinion, it is a show off piece. Check this parody - it is pure comedy but everything is true ...
YouTube - ‪Hitler is informed and rants about the Apple iPad‬‏
YouTube - ‪Hitler Responds to the Apple iPad‬‏

Lens: A very serious photographer on photo.net once told me ... amateurs think about expesive equipment, professionals worry about the moment ... So, no need for the f/1.4. f/1.8 will just do fine.

Dual HDMI out AVRs: There are some expensive AVRs out there with the feature. Denon 3311/3312 comes to my mind.

BD Player from S'pore: Singapore is Region B. So if you already have a Region A player, it makes sense to buy a Region B player. This will make you virtually region free as there are hardly (probably none) Region C BDs.

Things are really cheap in Singapore. A colleague of mine was in Singapore and he brought back Sony Bravia 40BX420 for S$680 (from a warehouse shop across Mustafa - no warranty), zero freight (SAI allows 30 kg baggage in E Class) and paid Rs. 2000 under the table (or X-ray scanner :lol. The TV is not luanched in India. But the lower version (40BX400) retails at 50k here (after discount).

 

[mgdelhi]

BD Player from S'pore: Singapore is Region B. So if you already have a Region A player, it makes sense to buy a Region B player. This will make you virtually region free as there are hardly (probably none) Region C BDs.

As far as I know, Singapore is Region "A" for Blu-Ray. Please check your facts.

Singapore Technical Information for Travelers - Voltage / Plug / Region - WPR

Blu-ray Disc - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[anm]

I want a region free, or one that can be made region free easily. I think I will save for an oppo as one friend is going to the US soon and has promised to get some stuff

 

[just4kix]

As far as I know, Singapore is Region "A" for Blu-Ray. Please check your facts.

Singapore Technical Information for Travelers - Voltage / Plug / Region - WPR

Blu-ray Disc - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My mistake. I stand corrected.

I want a region free, or one that can be made region free easily. I think I will save for an oppo as one friend is going to the US soon and has promised to get some stuff

Oppo is not automatically region free. It must be mad region free using a mod kit.

 

[sud98]

Factory unlocked iphone 4 should be a good option

 

[grubyhalo]

How about one of these?

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

You could check pics on Flickr tagged with their names...

 

[deba]

Singapore Price and India Price is almost equal .........not much gain in getting products from Singapore.........try Bangkok.....

 

[anm]

I purchased 50mm 1.8 locally in Noida from authorized Nikon shop, it was cheaper here. I think almost everything is cheaper here when it comes to Nikon. But then, the guy wasn't willing to go hunting for deals. He was also not sure if the deal shops sell genuine stuff.
I got a tokina 11-16mm (not available here), ipad 2 16GB wifi (cheaper and available in spore).
He also wasn't sure what an AVR is, and not too willing to carry such items. But still, I hope I can convince him.

Any suggestions on good places to buy used/ vintage amps, dacs, headphones in s'pore? Suggestions on specific models required as well.

 

[anm]

any more suggestions?

 

[magma]

cmon singapore
get a tube amp!

there are so many choices at such low prices - ofcourse made in malaysia - but not made
you get a taste of tube sound for really less

i do understand its a blind buy- but at there prices i was temted to take one- and i would have if my wife was not with me!
Also if hes a close frind you can be sure that he carries it in hand luggage!

 

[hemant0285]

U can get a Marantz Amp... damnd cheap there.. Both Marantz Amps and CDP s are cheaper there///

 

[denzong]

U can get a Marantz Amp... damnd cheap there.. Both Marantz Amps and CDP s are cheaper there///

do you know where to buy from and what would be the prices. Esp the amps

 

[anm]

I talked to him but he is not willing to carry heavy amps this time. Maybe some other time. Hemant, what marantz amp are you looking for and for what price?