Would this be daft? 450d on finance?

[AndyKH]

Ok guys, as you may know i like to take the odd pic. At the minute i'm limited to using a crappy digital point and shoot or believe it or not my phone (5mp LG Viewty)
Now, i really want a canon 450D and want to save up to get one. Now heres the thing. I want to use it taking family pics and generally start my hobby back up again. I'f i save up i'm going to miss loads of opportunities of my daughter growing up over the passing months. Now do you think getting one of these cameras on finance be daft? I can justify spending the money as it's something i love doing having been an assistant photograpphy for a previous job. I've never needed to buy one before as i had use of the company camera, now i'm no longer working there i'm obviously without a decent camera and it's killing me.

Also does anyone know anywhere that does 0% finance? Or have one for sale cheap? I'm only after the basic kit to start.

Cheers chaps.

[Podie]

Have you thought about buying a second hand dSLR first..? something like a 350D perhaps? or even a 20D?

[furtive]

If money is tight, why not start with a cheaper DSLR - maybe a second hand one?

[AndyKH]

I have thought about it but am used to using a canon 1D so want something i can REALLY use. This is going to be my main hobby so want something i'm not going to have to upgrade after a while. How much do they fetch 2nd hand chaps?

[flat-planedCrank]

You could probably save a bit by getting the 400D instead of the 450D (and probably a better chance of finding a used one).
Imo, the only significant improvements of the 450D over the 400D (for me, anyhow) is the cross-type center af sensor at f2.8, and the spot meter.
Think the 400D is around £100 cheaper than the 450D.

New 450D specs marked with an asterisk :
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page2...


Cheers.

[x5x3]

AndyKH said:

Ok guys, as you may know i like to take the odd pic. At the minute i'm limited to using a crappy digital point and shoot or believe it or not my phone (5mp LG Viewty)
Now, i really want a canon 450D and want to save up to get one. Now heres the thing. I want to use it taking family pics and generally start my hobby back up again. I'f i save up i'm going to miss loads of opportunities of my daughter growing up over the passing months. Now do you think getting one of these cameras on finance be daft? I can justify spending the money as it's something i love doing having been an assistant photograpphy for a previous job. I've never needed to buy one before as i had use of the company camera, now i'm no longer working there i'm obviously without a decent camera and it's killing me.

Also does anyone know anywhere that does 0% finance? Or have one for sale cheap? I'm only after the basic kit to start.

Cheers chaps.

I still haven't got round to selling my old 400D kit with the 17-85 IS and battery grip if that would be of interest?

[havoc]

400D a good suggestion.

If you're used to using a 1D, you may find the 400/450 a little small. I've gone from a 20D (for sale soon) to a 40D because I like the size/handling of it better, not because I'm going to use any/many of the additional features. You may also find yourself being able to use some of the extra features.

That said, my 2p (and I'm probably teaching you to suck-eggs here, so apologies in advance):-
- Lens self-clean is worthwhile (400/450/40D's only)
- Mp are irrelevant unless you plan to print posters - a friends old Nikon D70 at 6.x Mp was plenty good enough for A4 prints.
- If you're not taking much action-sport photography, fast-burst ability is irrelevant.
- A modern body is only as good as the lenses at the front of it, and the operator behind it. So budget for at least one good lens (50mm f/1.8 probably as very cheap), plus a flexible one (28-135IS?).


So...I guess from that lot I'd suggest a 2nd-hand 400D (or maybe 20/30/40D) and a couple of good lenses.


As for financing...depends over what period...chances are anywhere doing 0% finance will have built it into the retail price...and 12-months on a £500 loan at typical rates (8% say) will mean negligible interest (<£20...you can do the sums for a £1k loan or a 24m loan)...you're probably as well off putting it on a credit-card then doing a balance-transfer to a new, interest-free card.

Edited by havoc on Thursday 3rd July 21:00

[Zad]

Including Canon cash-back, my 450D+IS kit lens was £381. Unfortunately Canon has put their prices up and Empire Direct have sold out so the cheapest is now £431 (Amazon+cashback). Why not put £10 in a tin every week or whatever. It's amazing how quickly it mounts up.

[RobDickinson]

Honestly I think your mad to buy dSLR on finance unless its for a business.

Save up or buy a cheaper/used one. A 300D should be cheap and will take a great pic etc.

[MonkeyHanger]

RobDickinson said:

Honestly I think your mad to buy dSLR on finance unless its for a business.

Agreed. That applies even more to the xxxD range than it would to a 1 series as Canon seems to be churning out the "cheaper" cameras at an alarming rate lately.

[Zad]

Eos 300D+kit lens seems to be going for £150 on Ebay. That's damn good value!

[AndyKH]

Cheers for the comments chaps, i've slept on it now and agree it's daft doing finance, i'm just in a hurry because , well, kids grow up so quick and i dont want to miss anything. Looks like i'll be finding another way to fund my obsession!

[DavidY]

AndyKH

0% finance works well on smallish purchases

Buy 450D using credit card say £500 (for example only)

Pay off bill when it arrives, but from statement date spend £400 for the next month on your credit card where you would have normally used cash or debit card

Pay off bill when it arrives, but from statement date spend £300 for the next month on your credit card where you would have normally used cash or debit card

Repeat until balance cleared

Gain:- 1 450D at £100 per month at 0% interest.

This assumes that you have a card with an effective nil balance to start with!

Obviously you could vary the amount to say £50 a month or £150 depending on what you can afford

davidy

[AndyKH]

Well i'd never thought of that! Believe it or not i don't have a credit card! Should be sorted this sat though as i need one for real emergencies.

[DavidY]

AndyKH

If you don't have a credit card yet then you are in a great position starting from a nil balance and currently using cash and debit cards.

It takes a little discipline, but in my 20s I used this trick several times.

davidy

[dapprman]

If you do decide to buy a new camera, then check out the prices at www.warehouseexpress.com. Not only are they normally one of the cheapest places around, but they also offer some kind of buy now, pay 6 or 12 months later type of deal.