I'm looking for an SLR with a lens for about $300

[alfa147x]

what should i look for, it's not for me, i have a xti but a freind wants one so i was looking for a used one and some thing in the canon line that takes a f mount. any idea what model i should look for? thanks!

*f mount because then he can borrow a lens if needed...

He has no lens, this will be his first camera ... he tends to buy disposable one ... time for an upgrade

 

[ElFenix]

i guess canon will take F mount with appropriate adapters, but i think you mean EF mount.


you may be able to get the original digital rebel on the bay for about that.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I think he means EF mount...

Question is, what lenses does his friend already have if any?

 

[alfa147x]

oh sorry yes the EF mount...

 

[yhelothar]

I'm pretty sure a used D30 or 300D would go for about that price.

 

[DrPizza]

I checked at B&H for you - open box specials and the used camera dept. No Canons in that price range, although they have a used Olympus body for $349.
Olympus Evolt E-300 8.0 Megapixel digital SLR
But, you're out of luck as far as a lens goes, plus on the lens mount. (Adapter?) Nothing else there near the price range (at the time of this post; I'm sure they get new used stuff in all the time)

You can probably check some of the other trusted stores listed in the digital photography resource thread. I'm not sure if the other stores sell used equipment.

Looks like ebay might be your best bet though as ElFenix suggested, or you might get really really lucky on craigslist.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I think he means EF mount...

Question is, what lenses does his friend already have if any?

he dosnt have any this will be his first

 

[ElFenix]

you may also be able to get an olympus E-500 from olympus auctions or cameta camera.

 

[dxpaap]

anyone have any thoughts of purchasing used camera (body & lens) - are there major pit falls or warnings that I should be aware of?

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: astroidea
I'm pretty sure a used D30 or 300D would go for about that price.

You think you would be able to buy a D30 body for under $200. But I saw a recent auction where one sold for $700. Apparently the buyer thought it was a 30D.

But most do sell for ~$200. Throw in $100 for a lens and he is set.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: dxpaap
anyone have any thoughts of purchasing used camera (body & lens) - are there major pit falls or warnings that I should be aware of?

Cameras and mechanical objects with moving parts that fail. Repairs on older cameras will be uneconomical so you can decide if buying an unwarrantied camera for $200-300 is a better investement than a new body for $500-600.

As far as lenses go, I have bought lots of used lenses. You will save lots of money on used ones versus new and if they are taken care of you will not notice a difference.

Just check out the seller and make sure they are honest about any scratches on the lens or dust/fungus inside. Same thing with buying anything off the forums or Ebay. Check references.

 

[Googer]

I recommend one of those SLRs with a fixed non-detachable lens. They can be had for $300 and allow the viewfinder to see through the same lens as the film or sensor.

 

[Googer]

Here is newegg.com's list of SLR camera's that do not allow for lens changes. They are cheaper than the standard SLR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...63108769&name=SLR-like

 

[Googer]

Canon S3, gives you full control over your shots

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...tial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1


EDIT: and Canon has lens attachments for it.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consu...ryid=144&modelid=13077

 

[Googer]

Pentax Digtal SLR for $334 and $279, Do we have winner?


$279

$334

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Googer
Pentax Digtal SLR for $334 and $279, Do we have winner?


$279

$334

that first one is a film camera.

the second has a resellerrating of 0.65 (it's yet another broadway photo)

Originally posted by: Googer
Here is newegg.com's list of SLR camera's that do not allow for lens changes. They are cheaper than the standard SLR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...63108769&name=SLR-like

not a one of those is an SLR. there is no mirror that bounces the light into your eye and swings out of the way when taking a picture (the swinging is why it's a Reflex camera). rather, the main sensor views the image, and the camera then outputs the image to a small LCD embedded in the viewfinder. generally, the LCD may be better for composition (100% view) but not as good for focus confirmation.

also (though this not inherently due to the design of the camera), those cameras all have much smaller sensors than SLRs do (or digital rangefinders, for that matter). that leads to reduced image quality.

 

[willis60]

With that amount, you can buy a brand new film camera for a little under or even lesser for a used one. For instance, you can check Canon Rebel T2 35mm SLR Camera with the EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom Lens on Amazon. There are plenty of others you can look for, but if you will opt for digital then a used one would suffice.