Avatar (2009)
“Enhance” the security footage. Something big falls apart. Same theme song as the 97 version. And Jack dies in the end. I mean Jake. #Avatar
Black Friday: Get the Most, Spend the Least
Don’t Impulse Buy
Black Friday is all about getting you to spend money, even it’s on stuff you don’t really want or need, or money you don’t really have. Know what you want to get, know how much you want to spend, and stick to it. Sometimes “deals” aren’t. Often you’re better off finding the same thing online (cheaper with no tax), or a better quality product than the cheapo stuff they practically give away at midnight in stores. Wisebread has 5 tips for things you shouldn’t buy.
Know What You Want
Knowing specifically what you want to get and how much it’s worth and what you’re willing to pay is the single best thing you can do to make you a better shopper and keep money in your pocket. Going out to the malls “just to shop” this weekend can easily be either a waste of time or waste of money. Find specific items you want then research and comparison shop ahead of time. I start at Google and Amazon to get a baseline of a “good price” on most things. I also like Bountii for comparisons on electronics. Bountii lets you track item prices and will automatically send you alerts when prices drop, so you don’t have to check back periodically — it’s practically shopping for you. Don’t forget to factor in state sales tax, shipping, and any other fees (will you have to carry a credit card balance to buy it?). When comparing the same item at different retailers sometimes a higher initial price ends up being cheaper because there’s no tax or shipping charges and you could get some cash back bonuses.
Go Cheap
Don’t overlook refurbished and used items or auction and trading services. eBay and craigslist have incredible deals on perfectly good items that some people are just trying to get rid of (some perfectly new). Video games often go for half price slightly used and work just fine. I picked up a sealed copy of Forza Motorsport 3 for 25% off through craigslist because a guy got it for a gift and didn’t need it. “Certified refurbished” products are usually just like brand-new items and often come with similar warranties but at big discounts simply because they aren’t “new.” Just do your homework and make sure you know what you’re getting.
Get Money Back Guaranteed
If you’re going to shop online this weekend, make sure you take advantage of all the “free money” out there. I’ve saved about $200 just by using cashback services for purchases i’ve made online this year — and it was all stuff i was going to buy anyway. I’ve previously mentioned Ebates for really simple cashback when shopping online, but my current favorite is Mr. Rebates. Every time i buy something on eBay i use Mr. Rebates to get 3% cashback which can be combined with Bing cashback (10% during the holidays) for a total of 13% back on almost anything on eBay. They also have higher percentage rebates on many stores — i just got 8% back at Endless.com on a pair of shoes using Mr. Rebates. Just sign up for an account in seconds, click through to shop at thousands of online stores, and get money back. Most rebate sites will quarterly send you a paper check or a direct deposit to a PayPal account. Another cool thing about Mr. Rebates, Ebates, Spree, and many others is they offer referral bonuses when your friends sign up and make purchases. There are dozens of cashback sites, that all work about the same, so check who’s offering the biggest rebates where you’re shopping.
Bing cashback works similarly, you click on store links from the Bing site after you sign up and get percentage rebates on certain items or from certain retailers. Bing cashback at eBay has a few rules: it must be a Buy-It-Now purchase, not a regular auction and you have to pay via PayPal. But like i said, they’re currently offering 10% back that can be applied to almost anything you can find on eBay (just search at Bing.com and look for the gold coin icon). You can “stack” this with Mr. Rebates by first searching on Bing.com to activate cashback in eBay (save the item to My eBay to make it easy), then click on the eBay link in Mr. Rebates, find the item in My eBay and complete the Buy-It-Now purchase. Sometimes you get instant cashback without the 60 day waiting period.
I got $187 instant cashback from Bing on eBay.
- Bing cashback has increased holiday rebates like 10% back at Best Buy, Macy’s, and eBay.
- Ebates is offering double cashback at many retailers only on Black Friday.
- Mr. Rebates also has a long list of special rebates and coupons.
Another way to get money back is to use a rewards credit card on your purchases. It’s a simple way to get 1–3% back without doing anything extra. It can really add up on bigger purchases like TVs and computers. I personally use my rewards card to pay for everything i can to maximize my rewards, but of course i pay it off every month so i don’t run up balance fees.
DSLR Advice
Several times each week i get asked for advice on “what to get” — usually regarding electronics and gadgets — because i’m that guy. Sometimes i know exactly what to recommend, sometimes i have no idea, sometimes i try to talk them out of it. The other day my friend Jhoban asked me what would be a good DSLR, and this is what i told him (with a few pictures and links added).
I’m not sure what might be good for your needs and budget, but there is a lot of innovation in the DSLR market recently. Being a video guy, i’ve been very interested in the models that are capable of shooting video including HD video like Canon’s new EOS 7D because you can get gorgeous video with real lenses — though they are priced on the high end ($1700 and up not including lenses).
Canon EOS 7D currently one of just a few DSLRs that record HD video.
There are entry-level DSLRs like Canon’s Rebel XS (and equivalent Nikon and other brand models). But i’m not too familiar with what’s good or what you might like. I’m a big fan of Canon’s compact PowerShot Elph series, and recommend those without hesitation, but i’m not sure if any of that translates to DSLRs, nor about the differences between brands. I’ve never owned a DSLR, so don’t have much direct experience. The last SLR i used was a Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera, which i haven’t picked up in almost 10 years. Canon has just released the PowerShot S90 which is a continuation of the S models from several years ago (i think you had one). It has many advanced features like RAW format, full manual mode, and a slightly better lens, but it’s still a compact-versus-quality compromise compared to actual DSLR cameras.
Olympus EP-1 is a compact digital body with interchangeable lenses.
Another camera that i’ve just discovered is the Olympus E-P1 (and the upcoming E-P2) [via andertho on Flickr] * Update: a full review of the EP-1 by andertho on Flickr. It’s sort of a new “crossover” class of interchangeable-lens camera in a compact digital body. I like the idea here because SLRs are basically designs from decades ago that have been modified with digital sensors, and this is designed to be much smaller from the beginning but also have changeable lenses and modern features like LCD preview and video recording (which many DSLRs don’t currently have).
Olympus EP-1 size compared to an SLR
This is what i would do. Talk to or read some reviews from real people (magazines and big camera/gadget websites don’t always tell the whole story) and go play with some at Best Buy or a local camera shop like Penn to see how they actually feel to you. Figure out how much you would like to spend, but keep in mind that you’re investing in a system. To make it really usable, you will probably want to get extra batteries, memory cards (and reader for your computer), maybe another lens, a flash, a bag, and maybe a tripod (or GorillaPod). It’s not just a body + a lens. And there’s also going to be a learning curve with the all the features on advanced cameras. Because as nice as it is to have a great camera, the right knowledge and tools to make it work when and where you need it are what produce great images. And that’s not even scratching the surface of different sensor sizes, and RAW image formats and the software needed to view and edit RAW files from digital cameras.
Canon's collection of EF lenses for their EOS system SLR cameras.
Either way with interchangeable-lens cameras what you’re really buying into is a lens format. Once you commit to a certain brand and camera body, you have to get lenses that work with that format.
My first question when people ask me for recommendations is: what is it that you really want? You say you want a DSLR. Why? Better pictures? More megapixels? Different lenses? A big “pro” looking camera? A lot of the time people aren’t sure what they want or why they want it, and i just want to make sure you’re getting the best solution for you. And as always, once you do decide what you want, it’s my pleasure to help you find the best deal on it.
More in-depth reading:
- Review of Canon 7D compared to the full-frame 5D MkII from a video shooter’s point of view.
- Comparison of “advanced compact” cameras: Olympus EP-1, Panasonic LX3, Canon G10.
- Michael Reichmann’s Luminous Landscape has long been my favorite photography site with honest opinions based on first-hand real-world experience, not just numbers and charts.
* Update: a few more links to read:
- Review of the Olympus EP-1 with comparisons to the Nikon D-300 by andertho on Flickr. I’m even more interested in this little camera now.
- Advice on buying used DSLRs on PetaPixel. Good points here about not blowing all your money on the body. Kinda like i was saying about investing in a lens format: a collection of quality glass is “timeless” when compared to the camera bodies that become obsolete when newer models come out every year or so. Also, if you have to have the latest and greatest, then you’re gonna pay for it. If you need to stick to a budget, seriously consider buying slightly older used equipment.
* Update, 2010Feb10:
Canon just annouced the EOS Rebel T2i, which sounds perfect for me.
Forza Motorsport 3 for $52
A few weeks ago i played the demo and was completely blown away. Forza 3 may just be the best racing game ever. And i mean everything from the actual in-game driving, physics, and car and track modeling, to the absolutely inspired interface design. Never before has a racing game menu been so clean and simple to navigate.
The game just came out last Tuesday, so i’ve been keeping an eye out for who has the best price. Buy.com has Forza 3 for only $52 with free shipping, which is 13% off the usual $60 (even more if you add in tax).
A masterpiece of game interface design. Simple, nearly invisible. Rewind is genius. And cockpit view—finally!
Next week i’ll be looking for the best deal on Modern Warfare 2.
Modern Warfare 2 “Infamy” Official Uncut HD Trailer
Infinity Ward’s latest trailer for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. This just premiered on primetime TV during Sunday Night Football, revealing in-game campaign footage that hints at a storyline that has Washington DC in burning ruins. Playable in HD. Check it out:
Pre-order Modern Warfare 2 (November 10, 2009 Release Date).
