what DSLR ? 2nd hand
Discussion
Well the reason for getting a dSLR is to have a choice of lenses. If you don't want a bag of different lenses don't pass a bridge camera or compact.
To get the best choice of lenses (new and secondhand) I reckon your best bet is either Nikon or Canon.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Canons are slightly ahead for image quality, features and possibly build when you compare similar level models, although for ergonomics, I personally think the Nikons' way ahead.
But for choices of lens, you can't get better than Nikon - you can have bang up-to-date technology or lenses from 30 years ago and they'll all work.
Although I am biased, I'd choose Nikon again.
To get the best choice of lenses (new and secondhand) I reckon your best bet is either Nikon or Canon.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Canons are slightly ahead for image quality, features and possibly build when you compare similar level models, although for ergonomics, I personally think the Nikons' way ahead.
But for choices of lens, you can't get better than Nikon - you can have bang up-to-date technology or lenses from 30 years ago and they'll all work.
Although I am biased, I'd choose Nikon again.
funk odyssey said:
up to about 200
Is that to include a lens?You've got quite a choice of secondhand Nikon.
D1, D1H, D1X - the old, built-like-a-brick, pro series. Probably seem quite out of date now, but some people still use them and get good results.
D100 - was a very popular early model
D40, D50, D60, D70 - I would go for one that has an autofocus motor in the body, so perhaps avoid D40, These are all smaller
Personally a D100 or D70 would still do an awful lot for the money these days.
Id be wary of the D1 models, i have one (which i got second hand) and it produces consistently brilliant results but the real problem is the batteries! They use old nimh types and replacements are a must. Also as it was a pro series camera parts are really expensive, if say your charger breaks a new one from Nikon is close to £300!
A D100 would be my recommendation.
A D100 would be my recommendation.
[soapbox]Would avoid the cheaper Canons (300D/350D/400D), I know I rant on about this but the shutters are only rated at 10k shots. Many of the used ones will be approaching or have exceeded this. I know this will get the usual "mines done 30k shots and is fine" responses, but buying SH it's hard to know. Stick will semi-pro (10D/20D/30D) canon or most nikons to be safe. IIRC the D70 and D80 are rated at 75k shots, so far more longevity.[/soapbox]
I'm only bitter 'cos mine failed at 9k shots...
A D70 would be very nice, though the display is quite small. If you could push to around £350 you're in the realm of new cashback Canons which are a very nice prospect.
I'm only bitter 'cos mine failed at 9k shots...
A D70 would be very nice, though the display is quite small. If you could push to around £350 you're in the realm of new cashback Canons which are a very nice prospect.
VxDuncan][soapbox]....[/soapbox said:
I'm only bitter 'cos mine failed at 9k shots...
Thanks for that. Well, I for one never knew that Canon suffered any bad reputation in this area. But then my last experience of Canon was a kit bag including AE-1, AV-1 and AT-1 and half a dozen lenses I had up until 1997. They were quite tough little buggers from what I remember.I would have said that the "less costly" end of the market saw the Canon and Nikon offerings about neck and neck. I know that Nikon top end all come with shutter boxes tested with 250,000 actuations in mind, the next tier slightly lower. In practice I'd guess that NON-use would probably do for a shutter as much as over-use.....
VxDuncan][soapbox said:
Would avoid the cheaper Canons (300D/350D/400D), I know I rant on about this but the shutters are only rated at 10k shots. Many of the used ones will be approaching or have exceeded this. I know this will get the usual "mines done 30k shots and is fine" responses, but buying SH it's hard to know. Stick will semi-pro (10D/20D/30D) canon or most nikons to be safe. IIRC the D70 and D80 are rated at 75k shots, so far more longevity.[/soapbox]
I'm only bitter 'cos mine failed at 9k shots...
I thought the 400D etc was rated for 50K ?I'm only bitter 'cos mine failed at 9k shots...
Still does not help the fact yours went at 9 !!
Edited by Stu247 on Thursday 2nd October 11:37
Just found this:
http://olegkikin.com/shutterlife/
Big database of shutter failures. Be wary of the statistical variations though - the results are very skewed for those (usually more recent) models with little data. D70/D80 very similar around 55k, 300D 23K average.
http://olegkikin.com/shutterlife/
Big database of shutter failures. Be wary of the statistical variations though - the results are very skewed for those (usually more recent) models with little data. D70/D80 very similar around 55k, 300D 23K average.
Keep an eye on the Ebay Canon official outlet: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_Canon-EOS-SL...
Prices seem a bit high at the moment, but there have been some 450Ds and 30Ds gone for some stupidly low money.
Prices seem a bit high at the moment, but there have been some 450Ds and 30Ds gone for some stupidly low money.
Consider a Pentax - for that price you are easily into K100D territory with accessories. Excellent starter DSLR. Build quality better than the lower priced Canons, shake reduction as standard, can use ordinary AA batteries if you need to, huge range of lenses available s/h.
Opinion based on the fact that we've got two Canons (300D and 20D) and the Pentax K100D in the family. Pentax currently up for sale to move on to one of their newer offerings. Canons were in the back of the cupboard last time I looked.
Don't buy anything until you've tried it out in your own hands. Cameras all look lovely in magazines etc but when you pick em up they can sometimes be the most unbalanced and illogically laid out contraptions known to man.
Enjoy - tis a wonderful hobby.
Opinion based on the fact that we've got two Canons (300D and 20D) and the Pentax K100D in the family. Pentax currently up for sale to move on to one of their newer offerings. Canons were in the back of the cupboard last time I looked.
Don't buy anything until you've tried it out in your own hands. Cameras all look lovely in magazines etc but when you pick em up they can sometimes be the most unbalanced and illogically laid out contraptions known to man.
Enjoy - tis a wonderful hobby.
funk odyssey said:
up to about 200
I've a Nikon D50 in excellent condition which I may part with shortly. Slightly down on megapixels (only 5-6MP) versus a newer model (D40, etc) but it has the in-body motor, which can be useful. Comes with box, and everything it came with new. Not sure what it is worth though. Possibly around that mark.VxDuncan said:
The 400D maybe 50,000. I know the 300D ( and I'm fairly sure the 350D) were 10k actuations. Mine was a 300D.
You must of been unlucky, my 300D has done at least 45k shots (there the ones I have kept!) just moved onto a 40D, biggest thing I have noticed is the buffer speeds at writing to the card.Regards,
Jon
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