buying a used DSLR

MX5huggy

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

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.

You miss understand "current" I did'nt say the 40D was "new", the 40D is a current model because Canon still make and sell them. What I was refering to is something like a 30D which you can only get used or a older but more "professonal" camera.

In the end things are the price they are you can wait and they will get cheeper, save so you can afford it, or get into debt so you have it now.

For the want of £70 would I buy a secondhand? No.

unrich

View the Sony A200 as an extended test for £20. They are selling for about £200 used on ebay with almost a year to run on the warranty you should get a good price.

Tempting fate, its not like you're going to loose £150 in depreciation as soon as you open the box.

rainbow_carnage

One last post before I go back to doing actual work... ;-)

The Sony seems like a great stop-gap option. I'm going home in December, and I wanted to get a new camera before then. Now I'm thinking I buy the Sony, use it for a few months and re-sell it. Hopefully by then I'll have the money to buy the Canon, or at least it may get cheaper in the meantime.

I'm a tad annoyed that I had a CompactFlash card a while ago, but I gave it away because I didn't have any device for it at the time. Now I have to buy a new one.

I can't figure out the cashback thing. The T&C say that the camera must be purchased from a participating store. Is there a list somewhere? It's the same price at Dixon's, but you can also get 4% off with Quidco. Ideally, I'd like to find it at the same price from a retailer that offers a student discount...

Am I asking for too much here?

If I could get this baby down to less than £200, I'd do happy little dance.

[Deleted User]

Do you need it now? Can't you just save up for it?

rainbow_carnage

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Do you need it now? Can't you just save up for it?

"Need" is a relative concept. It's camera. I can live without it.

I can probably live without 80% of my possessions, but life would be a lot less fun.

I don't actually have a working DSLR at the moment. So if I don't get a new one before my trip home, I will have two options. I can either use a film SLR, or a digital point-and-shoot. I'd rather not.

K, now I really have to get back to work.

unrich

Don't forget the effort you put into squeezing that last £12 off may be worth a few hours of going out and taking photo's. Which are you? budding photographer or really really tight s*****t ?

I like you really have to go and work now. I've spotted a post for a Pentax lens and its cost me £54!!! Money saving expert my ****. Going to have to sell some junk on ebay now.

[Deleted User]

You've also made me start looking for my first flash gun.. i only just started using DSLR for the first time, bought a Panny L10 for £350 (which came with an extra 50-150mm zoom lens - bargain!)

rainbow_carnage

unrich wrote: »

Don't forget the effort you put into squeezing that last £12 off may be worth a few hours of going out and taking photo's. Which are you? budding photographer or really really tight s*****t ?

You are so right.

I've just bought the Sony from Amazon.

Thank you, again, for the advice.

Now I can get back to work...

moonrakerz

ringo_24601 wrote: »

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.

I presume that is a joke !

1. Unless you are printing something about 4ft X 3ft, 10mp will make NO difference.
2. If it's on canvas about 1mp will suffice.

moonrakerz

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

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

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

Ouch ! A bit touchy aren't we ?

Firstly, your posting name is very masculine.
Secondly, if you are such an experienced photographer, the tone & content of your OP certainly doesn't reflect that.