Best deals on a Canon 400D

[john185k]

Have decided to take the plunge and invest in an SlR camera, with the Canon 400D taking first place in what i can afford and suitable for a novice level.

I borrowed a friends one from work and was very impressed, fitted comfortably in hand whilst on the move. Any recommendations on where to purchase one, or where to stay away from?

Thanks

John

[JohnS]

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk

Or buy a 2nd hand one. I'll be selling mine in the next month or 2 (going to upgrade to the 40D hopefully). I've already got someone who is interested in mine, and will make up his mind either way this weekend.

John

[muppetdave]

I'm in a similarish position, and was thinking of the same camera. From the ebay point of view - some of the deals for this camera seem pretty good. I'm always cynical though - anyone got any thoughts on the deals on ebay with additional batteries, flash etc?

[brocks]

John,

Your about 11 days too late. Until 31/1207 Canon were doing £50 cashback on their 400D.

Most ebay offers are Asian imports so be sure to get a canon worldwide warranty.

Some shops are splitting kits and providing bodys and lenses independently. This can save money and comes with a full warranty although the packaging can be an issue.

Good sites to try:

buyacamera.co.uk/
warehouse express
Park Cameras
Bristol Cameras

DONT buy from Jessops or Jacobs in the high street...use them for advise but they will charge the earth. I just bought a 100-400L Lens for £990 in Chester. Jessops wanted £1300. Jacobs are cheaper of the two but use their online shop and collect in store. Jessops online were doing a price match till 31/12, They may have another deal on now.

Deals are always changing so shop arround and see what you find. I use the Canon user forum: http://www.eos-magazine.com/ Theres a classified section and a decent forum.

They told me about this....

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/AboutUs/PricePro...

May be worth knowing.

[BrianTVR350]

I spotted these a week or two ago...

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_W0QQssPageNa...

Can anyone see anything wrong with the deals, because I can't see the catch?

The 400D's I've been watching were going for round about £300 + P&P

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350i)

[Zad]

No catch (other than non-existent customer services).

Up until fairly recently, the Canon Ebay Outlet was selling (or rather people were buying, because the buyers set the price not the sellers) recon cameras at, or above the price you could purchase them new from the web retailers. This clearly made good business sense for Canon!

[.Woody]

I was told the 400D doesnt have LCD image preview, is this correct?

[RobDickinson]

.Woody said:

I was told the 400D doesnt have LCD image preview, is this correct?

It doesnt have 'live view' , no, handy in certain situations only tho, mebe landscapes or something, when you can look through the viewfinder is it important?

400D is likely due for replacement at PMA so there may be good deals coming up for it soon, its a pretty decent camera but if you can stretch to the 40D you should.

[Bigdrift]

live view is pointless on an slr imho

try your local camera store , the net is not always cheaper , and if its cheap on the net it probably WONT have a uk g'tee !

[DanH]

Bigdrift said:

live view is pointless on an slr imho

I don't think that's true. Its handy working on a tripod, its handy for macro work, its handy if you are trying to shoot with the camera really low to the ground, or with your arm stretched out.

Not something most would use everyday, and maybe not enough to sway a buying decision, but 'pointless' isn't true.

[Bigdrift]

DanH said:

Bigdrift said:

live view is pointless on an slr imho

I don't think that's true. Its handy working on a tripod, its handy for macro work, its handy if you are trying to shoot with the camera really low to the ground, or with your arm stretched out.

Not something most would use everyday, and maybe not enough to sway a buying decision, but 'pointless' isn't true.

if you want to use the screen to take a picture buy a compact , live view is just a marketing trick to further dumb down slr photography !

but at the end of the day owning a Dslr does not make you a photographer ! just makes you THINK you are

[DanH]

Bigdrift said:

DanH said:

Bigdrift said:

live view is pointless on an slr imho

I don't think that's true. Its handy working on a tripod, its handy for macro work, its handy if you are trying to shoot with the camera really low to the ground, or with your arm stretched out.

Not something most would use everyday, and maybe not enough to sway a buying decision, but 'pointless' isn't true.

if you want to use the screen to take a picture buy a compact , live view is just a marketing trick to further dumb down slr photography !

but at the end of the day owning a Dslr does not make you a photographer ! just makes you THINK you are

lol. I hope you aren't using a digital camera or one with any electronic metering or wind on. Its just a marketing trick to further dumb down slr photography.

real photographers shoot film and have better things to do on friday night than post here.

[.Woody]

I need live view as I would be taking it diving, and dont want my camera up my nose all of the dive! My eyesites crap also

[.Woody]

i just been on holidays and met a guy with a 40d, he spent €10,000 on his full kit

[Bigdrift]

DanH said:

Bigdrift said:

DanH said:

Bigdrift said:

live view is pointless on an slr imho

I don't think that's true. Its handy working on a tripod, its handy for macro work, its handy if you are trying to shoot with the camera really low to the ground, or with your arm stretched out.

Not something most would use everyday, and maybe not enough to sway a buying decision, but 'pointless' isn't true.

if you want to use the screen to take a picture buy a compact , live view is just a marketing trick to further dumb down slr photography !

but at the end of the day owning a Dslr does not make you a photographer ! just makes you THINK you are

lol. I hope you aren't using a digital camera or one with any electronic metering or wind on. Its just a marketing trick to further dumb down slr photography.

real photographers shoot film and have better things to do on friday night than post here.

i think you have missed the point i was trying to make , that if you need to use a screen to take a pic then your not the person who needs a Dslr ! ( this is how i make my living so i know what i am on about )

and as for real photographers using film does shooting film make you a "real" photographer ?

[hawkaye]

DanH said:

real photographers shoot film and have better things to do on friday night than post here.

This is not entirely accurate. The amount of Professional photographers I see changing to digital is surprising. Unless, of course, you are telling us they are not real professionals.

Next you'll be telling us TV is not proper TV unless it's not on a black and white telly with a big tube

[DavidY]

It is widely predicted that Canon will release a 450D in the next 2 months (consistent with their 18 month product cycle on the consumer SLRs) Also Canon will probably be doing Q2 cashback offers as in previous years. Unless you are desperate to purchase now I would just keep an eye open over the next couple of months as both these announcements will have an impact on the price of a 400D.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...

I bought a 350D when the 400D was just out, got a bargain as a result, sold it a year later (upgraded to a 40D) losing very little money.

Just my 2p

davidy