Used Camera Advice

[Ron Riemersma]

In the market for a good used camera, would like to do digital DSLR for the first time. If you had $300-400 to spend on a used camera-- what would you look for? Pros and Cons of this on ebay?
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8.0 Megapixel w/ 2 lenses

Thanks for any input.

 

[Mike Parker]

Nothing wrong with that combo package there. You will get all kinds of advice about cameras but the bottom like is that you have to start somewhere. The XT is an excellent platform to learn with and is capable of taking excellent pictures. Just be careful with ebay and make sure to look at the sellers ratings and use paypal to protect yourself as best as you can.

Also, remember that the best camera body in the world will take crappy pictures with a crappy lens on it....but that is a whole different convo.

Enjoy the wonderful world of DSLR!

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I would spend on the best lens that I could buy that would work for storm chasing, and then worry about the camera it will fit. Nothing can make up for decent glass...

 

[Greg Campbell]

I don't see a link on your post, but think I found the camera. Are you looking at item #180483710160 ?

If so, I'd say that the price is a little high. You can find XT bodies for ~$200 at places like the Fredmiranda buy/sell forums. (Probably a better place to buy as well. You'll usually get honest answers from people who understand cameras.) The 28~90 lens has apparently gone through several revisions, with later releases probably performing better. Best to ask which version is involved, and do some research. If it's an early revision, I doubt it and the cheap tele-extender are quite worth $180+

The XT will take great pictures, but keep in mind that it's a cheap plastic camera with Chiclet control buttons and a tiny, dim viewfinder. Trust me, I have one! I enjoy the pics it takes, but curse the overall 'cheapness' with every breath. I'm not judging, just clarifying. This isn't a Hasselblad, it's not an old Canon A-1, it's a Drebel!

The sensor's 1.6x 'crop factor' means that you won't get truly wide angle shots, which are VERY useful for photographing weather, without spending your entire budget on a single lens. A reasonable temporary solution would be to buy one of the 'kit' lenses, the 18~55mm is 'sorta wide.' Be sure to get the Mk II lens, which has somewhat better optics than the original release. Shutterblade are good guys... Ebay Item 230451553587, 60 bucks.

You might consider buying some old manual focus lenses for the camera. They are cheap, reasonably fast and quite sharp. In exchange you lose seamless zooming, AF, and some exposure modes. (Darren Addy ought to de-cloak at any minute - he loves the things.)


(Frankly, for the $, I'd buy myself an old 35mm film camera and 24mm and 50mm lenses. Another $100 gets you a proper 17 or 18mm super wide by Tokina, Vivitar, etc.) The remaining $100~200+ will buy lots of film and processing. )


Or plonk $150 for a decent digital point and shoot and start saving your pennies. Forget pixels! Instead, look for a sharp, fast lens, widest possible field of view, and good low-light performance.

 

[Mike Deep]

XT or later with an 18-55 IS would be a good place to start, and can be had with your budget.

Manual lenses are a great way to get capability on a budget, but I'd refrain unless you're after portrait and macro lenses. Good wides (<24mm) and telephotos aren't very cheap.