Help with SLR choice for a beginner please

[viper_larry]

simpo two said:

ehasler said: So if you imported a non-digital bit of camera gear (I've thought about ordering lenses from the USA), would you have to pay import duty AND VAT? I think 'import duty' is a generic term for VAT. Hence, you just pay the VAT when it arrives. I ordered a lens from the US and got a card telling me to collect the package from my Post Office. On arrival they said 'there's £22 VAT to pay' and you have to pay it before they hand it over. The box had a customs declaration on it, which the sender is obliged to atttach, and enter a value - in this case about $150. Mount Pleasant (international sorting office in the UK) then work out the VAT based on that value and stick their bill on it. So if you can, ask the sender to make the declared value as low as possible!

Actually, import duty is 10% and normally charged on goods that are bought for resale. IF you're unlucky, you get charged 10% ID then 17.5% VAT on top. Most goods I've bought personally have only had the VAT added

[DustyC]

Oh...nearly forgot.

The couple that owned the 10D and 300D said that there was a place selling the 300D in the sub £700 range already.
They advertise in amature photographer and are based somewhere SW of London. (Thats the company selling the camera, not the couple!).

Sorry I cant remember more. At this point the tigers started fighting and when they roared I nearly shat my pants!

[rico]

Just read the whole thread and its proved very interesting. I'm looking at getting a Digital SLR around October time (will be a rather awesome 21st bday pressy ).

How often do new cameras get released?

I'd be aiming at a £1000 max budget including a decent sized memory card (1gb?), case, maybe a change of lens or two.

FYI: I've got the current Jessops catalogue here and they have the EOS 300D at 799 for body only... 899 with EFS 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens

[srider]

rico said:

Just read the whole thread and its proved very interesting. I'm looking at getting a Digital SLR around October time (will be a rather awesome 21st bday pressy ). How often do new cameras get released? I'd be aiming at a £1000 max budget including a decent sized memory card (1gb?), case, maybe a change of lens or two. FYI: I've got the current Jessops catalogue here and they have the EOS 300D at 799 for body only... 899 with EFS 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens

Canon often announce new cameras at the PMA show in Feb, and sometimes at a big show in September. The 300D will probably still be current in October. There could also be some good 2nd hand 10Ds around for <£1000 by then.

[hobo]

Chimgirl.

Don't know whether you've bought a camera as yet. If not I would recommend Bligh Cameras, Thorntons Arcade.

Speak to Bobby.

[DustyC]

2nd hand 10D for sub £1000?

Really? Is that possible?

What are the 2nd hand prices on Digital SLRs like?
Whats the best price on a EOS300D?

I have been told Amature Photographer is good for 2nd hand adverts but have yet to see it in the newsagents.

[chim_girl]

After some haggling the best price I mananged to find the EOS300D was from Hong Kong. Uk Spec camera, 18 to 55m Canon lens and 70 to 300m Canon USM lens, 3 year warranty - 1 Year UK, and 2 subsequent years return to Hong Kong. Including postage and VAT if incurred, £880.00.

Cutting a long story short I've ordered one from a UK company for £795.00 (inc 18-55mm lens). For no other reason that I had vouchers given to me for my Christmas present and I suspect I will get more of the same for my birthday later this week! All that bartering and webcrawling was pointless!

Oh well, at least I'm getting one! It should arrive tomorrow!



>> Edited by chim_girl on Wednesday 7th January 15:15

[srider]

DustyC said:

2nd hand 10D for sub £1000? Really? Is that possible? What are the 2nd hand prices on Digital SLRs like? Whats the best price on a EOS300D? I have been told Amature Photographer is good for 2nd hand adverts but have yet to see it in the newsagents.

They're going for £1100 new if you shop around, so I reckon <£1000 by Oct easily

Digital SLRs tend to depreciate fairly quickly as soon as supply meets demand.

As long as you're careful, Ebay's a good place to look.

[burriana500]

chim_girl said:

but I really want something to take wildlife pics with

What? Like this...



or this...



Don't think you'll find much pussy like that in a quiet village like yours pet

Oh, both taken in South Africa with my trusty (built to stop bullets) Nikon with a 300mm lens

[chim_girl]

Nice pictures Well I've got the camera, all I need now is the holiday!

Adamski has said I'm not allowed to play with my camera until tomorrow as part of it was bought with my birthday vouchers.
Guess who's going to be kept awake until midnight,

[Mrs Fish]

so I guess we are going to get the joys of this camera tomorrow night then?

[chim_girl]

I've got the day off work, with a bit of luck the novelty should've worn off by time you arrive! (NOT!)

[simpo two]

This was the closest to a lion I could find...



Edited to apologise for having nothing to do with thread!

>> Edited by simpo two on Thursday 8th January 21:35

[steve-p]

I've had my 300D for about 6 weeks but only just recently used it for real on a 3 week trip to Central America (~1000 pics). The results are generally excellent but the evaluative metering is not always accurate. It is fooled into underexposing or overexposing in tricky lighting situations much more than the Nikon SLRs that I have been using. Digital photography requires an accurate exposure as it has less exposure latitude than negative film. However one big advantage with a digital is being able to take the same shot with multiple exposures, review them later and then just keep the one that is correct and delete the others. The kit lens is commendably sharp at F8 although it goes somewhat soft at the edges at 18mm. Battery life is excellent but it's still worth carrying a spare just in case.

Overall, value for money is not in question. Although Nikon suposedly have a new camera being launched fairly soon to compete with the 300D, the current one is more than twice the price. I found this was a compelling argument for buying one, despite having made the switch from Canon to Nikon several years ago.

[volatileacid]

do any of you jokers mind posting your sources esp when you say you've found the EOS 300d + lens kit £xxx cheaper than the going price !! it would be much appreciated ! cheers !

[steve-p]

You could do worse than www.amazon.co.uk at £800 for the kit. The only way to save serious money is to buy in the US, forego the warranty and hope you don't get clobbered for import duty and VAT when you bring it in.