buying a used DSLR

rainbow_carnage

moonrakerz wrote: »

Buy a NEW Nikon D40, a superb camera. You can get one for less than £250 - even from Jessops !

If someone tells you to get something with more than 6mp, they don't know what they are talking about. It's a big con !

Here's one to start on:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/technology/08pogue.html

If you Google: "more megapixels" - you'll find plenty more.

You're not wrong about the megapixel issue. More doesn't necessarily mean better. Once you go over 6, it makes little difference for most people. If you're just going to photograph your mates and put the pictures on Facebook, 3MP will probably do.

The Nikon is a decent camera for that price, but it's an entry-level model. A friend has one, and I've played with it a couple times. It's fine.

It's not just about the megapixels, though. The difference in the price reflects so many other things. It all depends on what's important to you.

For example, I rarely use the LCD screen. So I really don't care if it's 2.5" or 3". What I do care about is the level of digital noise at a high ISO. The Nikon isn't nearly good enough. Anything above ISO400 is too noisy.

I like the handling of the Canons. I like the way they sit in your hand.

If you're going to start buying lenses, you have to commit to a brand and stick with it. I have two Pentax film cameras with compatible lenses. For digital, I prefer Canon.

Unrich, I think you're right about the second-hand market. I just don't understand why that's the case. People are constantly upgrading cameras. The market is flooded. So why are people paying so much for used cameras without a warranty?

MX5huggy

I am a Nikon user so dont know my way round the Cannon range. But you seem to want to buy a current model, what are he prices on eBay for higer up the range but discontinued canon?

Price wise £450 for a used current camera that is £520 new seems about right. because basicly these cameras don't go wrong.

rainbow_carnage

MX5huggy wrote: »

I am a Nikon user so dont know my way round the Cannon range. But you seem to want to buy a current model, what are he prices on eBay for higer up the range but discontinued canon?

Price wise £450 for a used current camera that is £520 new seems about right. because basicly these cameras don't go wrong.

The Canon EOS 40D is not a new model. It's been around for over a year. The 50D is the 2008 version. I don't even dare look at those.

Of course these cameras go wrong. In addition to the general breakage issues, they get 'glitchy'. They start doing things on their own like turning off at the worst possible time. The LCDs die before most other parts.

Also, because these are not 'professional' cameras, the owners don't always take good care of them. They get dust and dirt inside (hence Unrich recommended that I check the sensor). A few years ago I bought a very decent lens on eBay for around £30. Thought it was a bargain. It had a bit of dust inside, which cost me £60 to get out. And that's just a lens.

I don't think £450 is a bargain for a year-old camera without a warranty. Not when it's only £70 more to buy it new.

Mobeer

sweetnskint wrote: »

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moonrakerz

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

The Nikon is a decent camera for that price, but it's an entry-level model. A friend has one, and I've played with it a couple times. It's fine.

What exactly is "entry level" ? other than an advertising slogan aimed at getting punters to buy a more expensive camera in the misguided beleif that it will produce better photographs.

I have done a lot of photography over the years using Pentax 35mm and Mamiya medium format. When I "ventured " into digital I started with a "point and shoot" Nikon and now have a D40.

Photography has always been a "keeping up with the Joneses" hobby, with a large proportion of:- "mine is better than yours, because...................."
In digital photography this is best exemplified by the "megapixel stakes". Unless you are a serious professional photographer there is absolutely no need for multi-megapixels. For amateurs, the extra money is better spent on a long/zoom lens.

The OP says: "I would very much like to buy a decent Canon DSLR". Any Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Olympus/Mamiya DSLR is more than "decent" !

I am afraid he has been swept along by advertising hype and fear of being made to look a "beginner" by having the "wrong" camera hanging round his neck.

[Deleted User]

It's funny - when I come to getting one of my nice photos printed on a canvas from my dSLR, i'm going to be glad of my 10mp sensor.

The OP may have good reason for wanting a Canon. He might have a lot of old accessories and lenses that are compatible with Canon cameras.

You can buy the Canon 400D for £324 (body only) here : http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102548

Btw, i'm on the lookout for a flash that'll work with my Panasonic L10 - anyone know of good 2nd hand camera shops in London?

rainbow_carnage

moonrakerz wrote: »

I am afraid he has been swept along by advertising hype and fear of being made to look a "beginner" by having the "wrong" camera hanging round his neck.

First, I'm a 'she', not a 'he'.

Second, thanks for assuming that I know nothing about photography.

I've been shooting on film for more than half of my life. I develop and print my own photos (b&w, anyway). My father had a darkroom in the house while I was growing up, so I do know a little bit about these things.

I've been shooting on digital for about 8 years now. I've worked with two different 'entry level' DSLRs, both Canon. I've also played around with friends' cameras, including two Nikons and a Sony. I know the difference between a £250-camera and a £1,000-camera.

'Entry level' is not just a slogan. By 'entry level', I mean the sort of camera a person buys as their first DSLR. It's one step up from point-and-shoot. Most people who buy these camera only use them in auto modes. These are cameras for people who want to show off the fact that they have a DSLR, though they can't use any of the functions.

When I say I need a 'decent' DSLR, I mean that I need something more than a basic model. I shoot a lot of shows on stage, where the lighting is not ideal. I need a camera with a 'decent' sensor so I can shoot in low light without using a flash. I need a camera that can auto-focus in low light (though I usually focus manually) and that can produce 'decent' photos with minimal noise at a high ISO. If you've found a £250-camera that does this as well as a D40, please let me know. I have not.

Were I keeping up with the Joneses, I would not be looking at a 2007 model. I think the 40D is good value for money. But I'm also skint. While I do use my camera for work, I don't make any money from photography, so there's only so much I can afford to invest in a camera.

There's a reason why I'm looking at specific camera models. There is a reason why I'm sticking with Canon. Hype has nothing to do with it.

rainbow_carnage

ringo_24601 wrote: »

You can buy the Canon 400D for £324 (body only) here : http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102548

Btw, i'm on the lookout for a flash that'll work with my Panasonic L10 - anyone know of good 2nd hand camera shops in London?

The 400D is not a bad camera, but it has an underexposure problem in auto mode. It's fine if you only shoot in manual.

I've found London's second-hand camera shops very overpriced. You can get a much better deal on eBay.

unrich

Over on hot deals they have spotted that the Sony A200 is being knocked out at £242. £30 cash back till 31/12 making it £212 ish. Amazon.
review http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/digital-cameras/sony-dslr-a200/
The 18-70 is a bit longer than the stock 18-55 on mine.

Is what you want £400 better ? You'd still have £150 or more for a decent long zoom. The old minolta 35mm film lenses fit. And you can use these on the A900 or so I'm guessing whereas a digital specific lens will not work on a full frame.

I'm saving for the Samsung version of the, eventually it must appear even though I've not heard anything about it yet, full frame pentax for less than £1000.

ebay: Sony fit Sigma 70-300mm APO lenses going for under £100 and the Minolta ones £160ish.

rainbow_carnage

unrich wrote: »

Over on hot deals they have spotted that the Sony A200 is being knocked out at £242. £30 cash back till 31/12 making it £212 ish. Amazon.
review http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/digital-cameras/sony-dslr-a200/
The 18-70 is a bit longer than the stock 18-55 on mine.

Is what you want £400 better ? You'd still have £150 or more for a decent long zoom. The old minolta 35mm film lenses fit. And you can use these on the A900 or so I'm guessing whereas a digital specific lens will not work on a full frame.

I'm saving for the Samsung version of the, eventually it must appear even though I've not heard anything about it yet, full frame pentax for less than £1000.

ebay: Sony fit Sigma 70-300mm APO lenses going for under £100 and the Minolta ones £160ish.

Ooh, that is very cheap. I'm actually tempted to get this one for my husband. His camera broke a while ago, and we haven't got around to replacing it. I really don't want to invest in yet another brand of lenses, though...