Used dslr: where is the best budget buy?

[vladcjelli]

After seeing the superior results of a friends dslr (unknown model) at a recent wedding, I've decided now may be the time to give proper cameras another go.

As a youth I dabbled with a car boot sale Zenit film camera, and without getting into the technical side of things, enjoyed being able to get shots that were a bit more interesting than the flat results from most compacts.

Unfortunately, my bank balance (or wife) won't stand the asking price of a new camera. Hence I am hitting the used market.

My question then, if you go to, for example CEX.co.uk, and browse to the dslr section, at what point does the low price and the supposed quality of the camera make sense?

Is a Canon 300d at £50 a good way to go? Or should you chuck in an extra £25 for a Sony A200?

Or should I bite the bullet, be patient and save for a D3100 or 1100d?

[Simpo Two]

The main difference is in the photographer and the processing, not the camera per se. One thing to watch for with early DSLRs is noise at high ISOs and smaller monitors, but apart from that they will turn in perfectly good results. You don't mention lenses - the 'kit' lens is great to get you started but if you take to the hobby you'll want to upgrade.

A friend has a Nikon D3000 + 18-55mm AF-S II outfit for sale for £200; PM if interested.

[vladcjelli]

Take your point re the users abilities, but I assume the equipment must have some influence on the base material.

I guess what I'm asking is, would an older 6M camera produce something I'm going to be happy with for £50, or am I going to end up disappointed and frustrated wishing I'd saved up for your mates kit?

The problem with the £200 d3000 is it's just too close price wise to the newer d3100 making it harder to justify.

I reckon I may have to hit the cheaper stuff to get it by my financial controller.

[flat-planedCrank]

An old camera will be broadly mainly functional with a newer model (a new model will most probably do video as well though)

A Simpo said, don't forget lenses too - a older camera with a better lens will deliver more than a newer camera with a rubbish lens

[AndyS2]

flat-planedCrank said:

An old camera will be broadly mainly functional with a newer model (a new model will most probably do video as well though)

A Simpo said, don't forget lenses too - a older camera with a better lens will deliver more than a newer camera with a rubbish lens

So, say I were to budget around £150 for a used D80, what 18-55 lens would you recommend?

[RobDickinson]

I would avoid old Nikon's and canons before live view was introduced, not essential on it's own but a good indicator of a modern body

[Mr Will]

RobDickinson said:

I would avoid old Nikon's and canons before live view was introduced, not essential on it's own but a good indicator of a modern body

I'd say the opposite - Non-liveview cameras won't do video which makes them a chunk cheaper than those that can.

I've had good experiences with http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/ and their prices are competitive.

[Simpo Two]

You don't need live view and you don't need video. One is for girls and one is for video makers

AndyS2 said:

So, say I were to budget around £150 for a used D80, what 18-55 lens would you recommend?

I think a D80 would do you very well. Get the (Nikon) kit lens that will probably come with it to start with and take it from there. When the lens is the limiting factor (either in range or optical quality) you will know. But remember DSLRs are not designed to give you idiot-proof perfect photos out of the box, they do need patience and practice, so expect a dip in results until you get the hang of things, particularly exposure.

[Torquemada]

Nothing wrong with a D80 - I'm still using one after 5 years. Just keep the ISO under 400. Some examples here www.flickr.com/photos/beancaker
Good enough to get me in to the advanced category of the local camera club (not that that means much!). Get to know the camera's controls inside out and concentrate on composition and technique.

[DannyScene]

I got a D3100 with 18-55mm kit lens, a battery grip and an extra official nikon battery for £230 in January of this year and I absolutely love it however I do feel I'm being held back somewhat by the lens as it just isn't wide enough or zoomy enough

[vladcjelli]

So I've been offered a d3100 body for £180 today.

Should I be considering it, and which is the first lens I would buy?

[chriis]

The D3100 is a great camera to start with You'll be more than happy with that .

The 18-55 kit lens that came with my D3100 was great for a kit lens - sharp and quick enough , that should keep you going until you decide what you need or want next .

[r1flyguy1]

Hi there

The latest edition of photo plus (I think that's what it's called) which is canon specific has a comparison in it of the current crop of canon DSLR to suit every budget so it will give you a rough idea of their capabilities and you know what your buying if you go 2nd hand

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

You don't need live view and you don't need video. One is for girls and one is for video makers

You certainly dont need video but live view is quite usefull but also a good indicator of a reasonably modern SLR.


You could go all the way back to a canon 300d but the changes between that and a 350d and that to a 400d are huge, and I'm guessing the cost difference isnt that big.

[vladcjelli]

At cex:

300d - £50
350d - £95
400d - £110

[RobDickinson]

A 400d is worth it.

300D is big very slow and very limited. (no AI servo outside of sports mode, no mirror lockup etc)

350d isnt as slow or limited but isnt that great (ISO 800 is ropey), body is a bit toylike.

400d is a step up.

I think 450d had live view.

[vladcjelli]

450d - £160

[MysteryLemon]

450d is a very nice camera and yes, it has live view.

Something like a 300d would really be showing it's age these days. Yes, with a nice lens on it, it will take a good picture but it will be low resolution and won't be very good in low light. Sub 400iso for usable pictures only.

I currently use a Nikon D5000. It is a nice camera although more consumer aimed compared to something like a D80/90. It has a lot of bells and whistles that I don't and wont ever use. So many colour profiles to choose for etc. Raw defeats the point of all of them...

Don't overlook some of the other brands. Olympus have made some lovely DSLRs. The E500/510/520 are all lovely bits of kit. Same with the smaller E400/410/450. You can get a right bargain on some of the earlier ones.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Thursday 11th July 12:34

[vladcjelli]

Quite like the look of the e-510, £130 from cex.

[The Jolly Todger]

I don't think LiveView is very useful outside of some very specific instances (e.g. manual focusing from a tripod). I've never found any use for it personally.

As for the OP, a used D3100 with the 18-55mm lens would be a good way to go, there should be plenty around from people who are not upgrading.