buying used XSi - need advice

[Aharami]

so Ive decided to buy the used XSi. Ive spoken with him via email and he said he's had it for 4 months and has taken about 800 shots with it. He's selling it because he upgraded to a 5D MkII. I dont know him at all (friend of a friend) so although I dont think he'd lie to me, I'm wary and want to test it out thoroughly when we meet up.

What should I look out for when I buy it? I dont have a lens yet (first SLR) so I'll probably be borrowing a friend's kit lens to test it out. Should I bring a laptop so I can DL some sample shots to see on a bigger screen? Is there any way to test for hot/stuck/dead pixels?

LENS:
Also since I'll be in nyc to meet up with him, I'll stop by b&h and buy a Tamron 17-50. Ive read numerous reviews of this on fred miranda and other sites, general consensus is that this lens, while great, is hit or miss. lots of copies has issues with back focusing - not sure what that is. How do I make sure I'm getting a good copy? I think B&H would let me test it out before I buy.

update 6/14/09
got the camera and loving it so far

 

[jpeyton]

That's not bad.

The T1i adds video, if you need that.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: Aharami
friend of a friend is willing to sell me a XSi body + 8 gb SD card for $450. Is this a good deal? or should I hold out for the T1i?

How many shutter actuations does it have. Is the body in good shape? Is the sensor clean?

It would be a nice deal unless there has already been some crazy high shutter count or lots of dust.

Most likely the lens was never changed and has only a few thousand shots fired.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's not bad.

The T1i adds video, if you need that.

Yea that's a pretty reasonable price depending on the condition of the camera. If it's in great working and physical shape you'd be getting a good deal imo. The memory card doesn't really sweeten the deal too much since 8gigs is around 20 bucks after all costs.

The T1i I don't think has any advantages in the photo department that would make it worth getting over the XSi for the cost difference. The big reason you would go for it is if you needed video. If you think you'd want/use the video than you should go for the T1i (Since the XSi has no video at all).
If you are going to just it just as a camera than the XSi would probably be better since at the price your friend is offering you can get the XSi (hopefully in good shape) and still have several hundred to spend on lenses vs just the T1i with video you wouldn't use.

If you're really patient/don't really feel like getting one now I imagine prices on bodies would only continue to go down and it might worth waiting for the T1i. But if you're looking to buy soon the XSi isn't a bad price.

 

[jpeyton]

Picked up a Nikon D60 today; $400 for the body and a two lens kit.

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Picked up a Nikon D60 today; $400 for the body and a two lens kit.

Mind sharing the details? I just might be able to convince the boss (wife) to let me upgrade for that price.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Fardringle

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Picked up a Nikon D60 today; $400 for the body and a two lens kit.

Mind sharing the details? I just might be able to convince the boss (wife) to let me upgrade for that price.

I got it on Craigslist, otherwise I'd be happy to pass along the details. If I find any photography hot deals online, I try to make a thread in this forum about it.

 

[Aharami]

After reading dpreview's review of the T1i, I think im gonna with the XSi. I cant justify nearly double the price for slightly lower image quality. Video and high res screen would be nice, but I guess those can wait until my next body upgrade

 

[Aharami]

updated. need advice

 

[ghostman]

There are a number of good resources on the web about this already, so I won't reiterate what they say:

http://www.petapixel.com/2009/...buying-used-dslr-gear/
http://www.adidap.com/2006/11/...re-buying-a-used-dslr/
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48544

As for the Tamron, I think you'll have more hit than miss. Back (or front) focusing happens when you focus on a point, but the sharpest part of the image is actually in back (or front) of the point you focused on. You can test this by choosing a large aperture (f/2.8 on that Tamron), center focusing on a line of text on a brochure or newspaper (or a focus chart) and seeing if that line is in focus. Then stop down and do it again until the entire test sheet is in focus.

http://photo.net/learn/focustest/

B&H is very, very busy (they also close early on Fridays and closed Saturdays), so I don't know if you'll be able to test the lens first. I don't think the employees are too happy when you do, but if they let you, all the better.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: ghostman
B&H is very, very busy (they also close early on Fridays and closed Saturdays), so I don't know if you'll be able to test the lens first. I don't think the employees are too happy when you do, but if they let you, all the better.

I find that incredibly hard to believe. Any decent pro camera shop will let you inspect/test a lens (within reason) inside their store.

If they don't, go somewhere else. Heck, I bought my Tamron 17-50mm from Best Buy and they let me test two copies right there in the store.

 

[Aharami]

thanks for the links ghostman. i was just at BB checking out the T1i. It feels like a better camera and the high res screen is so sweet. but, cannot pass up this deal on the XSi. Also saw that BB has the Tamron 17-50 on clearance, but not sure if it's an older model or not since it didnt have the 'II' in the 'Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD'

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: ghostman
B&H is very, very busy (they also close early on Fridays and closed Saturdays), so I don't know if you'll be able to test the lens first. I don't think the employees are too happy when you do, but if they let you, all the better.

I find that incredibly hard to believe. Any decent pro camera shop will let you inspect/test a lens (within reason) inside their store.

If they don't, go somewhere else. Heck, I bought my Tamron 17-50mm from Best Buy and they let me test two copies right there in the store.

B&H would be happy to let you test their many demo units, but they may not be happy cracking open new boxes for you to pick and choose. I go to their store fairly often and I've found their service to be very good - knowledgeable reps, no/limited sales tactics, but they've not always been accommodating when they've got bigger ticket potential sales to deal with. The same can be said with Adorama. I went there to buy used flashes and the guy seemed rather bothered to have to go to the back, look for the unit, come back, then go back to find more units.

As for the Tamron 17-50 on clearance that's not marked "Di II," that's very surprising. Tamron's "Di II" basically means the same thing as Canon's "EF-S" - the lens is for crop bodies only. Perhaps it was a different lens that you saw?

 

[olds]

I thought about buying this camera used. Till I looked at the warranty, it's non transferable.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I thought about buying this camera used. Till I looked at the warranty, it's non transferable.

Everyone has a price.

If you could pay 50% less than new, would you go used?

I buy used cars, used homes, used computer equipment, used electronics...all without any safeguard of the original warranty...and I've saved a TON of money.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: ghostman

As for the Tamron 17-50 on clearance that's not marked "Di II," that's very surprising. Tamron's "Di II" basically means the same thing as Canon's "EF-S" - the lens is for crop bodies only. Perhaps it was a different lens that you saw?

I'll have to go back and check today. Pretty sure it was Tamron 17-50 for Canon

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I thought about buying this camera used. Till I looked at the warranty, it's non transferable.

Everyone has a price.

If you could pay 50% less than new, would you go used?

I buy used cars, used homes, used computer equipment, used electronics...all without any safeguard of the original warranty...and I've saved a TON of money.

the cost savings is exactly why im getting this camera. If I didnt have this option on my table, I'd buy a new T1i over a new XSi.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I thought about buying this camera used. Till I looked at the warranty, it's non transferable.

Everyone has a price.

If you could pay 50% less than new, would you go used?

I buy used cars, used homes, used computer equipment, used electronics...all without any safeguard of the original warranty...and I've saved a TON of money.

I buy used too. But for something as complex as a camera, I personally would rather have the piece of mind knowing that I have a warranty. In fact, when I do pick up this $700 camera, I am going to pay the $129 (IIRC) for the extended warranty.
But that's just me, to each his/her own.

 

[Aharami]

sweet. scored the Tamron 17-50 for a decent price. BB had it on clearance at $400, but since it was the last model they had, they gave it to me for $330. I tested it to make sure it had basic functionality at the store, but didnt do a detailed focus test. Now I just have to get the XSi and test it out thoroughly.