Canon 350D

[up-the-dubs]

I havn't bought one just yet, but was looking over lunch today. €1,000 (£685 or thereabouts) . But I'm interested now, bugger that photo I posted! Seems a good camera, and I've delved back through posts here to see what else has been said about them. I like the size and the 8mp, and I can upgrade the lens when I get used to it.

I had a look at ebay, but I don't fancy those Hong Kong dealers, and otherwise there doesn't seem to be many around. The only Irish website I could find had one at €844 (£578). Assuming this is a perfectly adequate starting point camera wise, are these prices any good? Is there anywhere in particular I should look? I have friends in the UK that can take delivery and send it to me so the international thing isn't an issue. Jessops were at £580 along with a few others.

Cheers folks.

And thanks for eating into my beer mmoney over christmas. Thanks alot.

[_dobbo_]

£529 at warehouse express

£479 from digitalrev who are a hong kong seller, but totally reputable at that.

That's just a quick search it may be out there for less.

edit to add, don't discount the Nikon D50, use the money you save to buy a nice big memory card and maybe a bag....

here



>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Tuesday 22 November 20:22

[simpo two]

up-the-dubs said:

bugger that photo I posted! Seems a good camera, and I've delved back through posts here to see what else has been said about them. I like the size and the 8mp, and I can upgrade the lens when I get used to it.

Tee hee - and down the slippery slope to photographic Nirvana you go

All DSLRs are very good, relatively speaking, so you won't be disappointed whatever you buy. Bearing in mind that there's little practical difference between 6 and 8Mp, why are you looking just at Canon? From the various and numerous debates on this forum, it seems most people are influenced in their decision by handling and ergonomics. So by all means get a DSLR - it will open limitless avenues for you - but throw the net wide to start with and make sure you're getting the best one for you.

[Tall_Paul]

You could also have a look for a second-hand Nikon D70, they seem to be going for aroung the £500-550 mark with the 18-70mm kit lens on ebay, here(completed) one thats still going here

[moomin]

you can get £100 cashback on 350D at the moment via Mastercard

that should save a few beers

moomin

[simpo two]

Tall_Paul said:

You could also have a look for a second-hand Nikon D70, they seem to be going for aroung the £500-550 mark with the 18-70mm kit lens on ebay

And my D70 (body only) will be for sale, probably Jan/Feb when I've got the hang of its big brother...

[406tm]

simpo two said:

And my D70 (body only) will be for sale, probably Jan/Feb when I've got the hang of its big brother...

And my D100 body is available NOW

[up-the-dubs]

I knew this would happen! I discounted the D70 from the list as I had a look at it and the guy in the shop (who seemed to know a helluva lot of stuff) sold me on the 350. The Canon just felt better (despite his "deal" I won't be buying off him). As a complete novice in all this, is there realistically much of a difference that I'll notice as I learn. I would have thought that the higher resolution gives me more scope to cut and crop until I learn to recognise what to include or not in the first place, and go from there on replacement.

I dunno. Once again I've plunged myself into a purchase of such complexity that it's gone right over my head.

Thanks for the replies guys, I need a beer.

[cirks]

Having been in the same position as you a few weeks ago, I took Simpo's advise ie. get the one that feels best. Although I too started looking at the 350D and the D50 etc, I ended up moving 'up the ladder' to the 20D. There's nowt wrong with the 350D, the D50 or even the D70 etc, I just didn't like the feel of them (the 350 because of it's plastic lightweight build and the any of the Nikon's because the grip and ergonomics just weren't right for me). So, handle them, have a play and get which ever one YOU feel that you could use comfortably. You'll only learn to take better photos if you are actually happy using the camera in the first place

As far as the 6MP vs 8MP, you only need to look at some of the quality stuff posted on here from the Nikon guys to realise that for the majority of us, those 2MP are going to make very little difference!

p.s If you are after a REAL bargain, there's a 350D finishing on ebay shortly that's currently bidding at £820. Even the ad states it only cost £690 new!

>> Edited by cirks on Wednesday 23 November 09:00

[ErnestM]

Don't forget to try out the 350D with the battery grip attached. I did and it was the point that finally sold me as I would be using it a lot at car shows and wanted extended battery life that I could use without ruining the grip...

ErnestM

[V6GTO]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/57331.htm

[cirks]

V6GTO said:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/57331.htm

swine, swine, swine, you swine Why couldn't you advertise it before last Tuesday when I bought mine new!

p.s It will go for more than that one ebay at the mo!

[up-the-dubs]

!

But The Dubs had a great night at the roulette table last night and so a camera purchase is just a clickey dickey away. Oh yes, I had a very good night .

But my conundrum deepens . After Cirks' suggestion of the Nikon "feeling" better in the hand, I was in town today and now tend to agree. In my hands it's a better fit. So, a D50 is looking likely. DigitalRev have one with extra battery and a (probably crap) tripod thrown in for about £380 including shipping, which from flicking around the various sites seems pretty good .

AAArgh! I'm off for a beer. Again.

[Kinky]

[fellow] Dub,

Like you and Circs, I was in the same boat earlier this summer - torn between the Canon and Nikon.

I played and played and fondled and played some more and plumped for the D50, and I have to say I've never ever looked back since.

The D50 just felt natural to hold.

As an aside .... am I missing something about extended battery life? I have a 2gig SD card, which gives me approx 770 hi-res pics - and the battery lasts me about 2 weeks - shooting non-stop, downloading, shooting some more, etc, etc, etc .....

K

[simpo two]

up-the-dubs said:

!

Hi UTD,
Don't forget that's a body-only price, so you'll need to allow for at least one lens; I'd suggest the 18-55mm or 18-70mm. You'll probably get a better deal if you buy them together as a 'kit'.

I think the D50 is blinding value; in fact there seems little reason to pay the extra for the D70s. You may also be cheered to know that when Nikon were designing the new D200, they borrowed bits not only from the D2X but also the D50

NB: Found this: www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/b



>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 26th November 23:20

[up-the-dubs]

simpo two said:

body-only price

Cheers, didn't notice that!

[cirks]

up-the-dubs said:

After Cirks' suggestion of the Nikon "feeling" better in the hand,

I think I've been misquoted (I actually disliked the feel of the Nikon and preferred the feel of the Canon 20d - hence buying it) BUT it's what feels best to YOU that matters - so that bit is the most important thing.
I'm beginning to have a bit of fun with my new purchase so hope you do too.

[up-the-dubs]

cirks said:

up-the-dubs said: After Cirks' suggestion of the Nikon "feeling" better in the hand, I think I've been misquoted (I actually disliked the feel of the Nikon and preferred the feel of the Canon 20d - hence buying it) BUT it's what feels best to YOU that matters - so that bit is the most important thing. I'm beginning to have a bit of fun with my new purchase so hope you do too.

Sorry, yes. Wasn't an accurate quote as such but along the lines of. Ish .