Is this a decent used camera deal?

[soulcougher73]

I am a total camera noob and its my wife that is wanting a nice camera besides our point and shoot. She sent me this link today. I dont mind buying her a used camera in the less then $500 range. But as we are both camera noobs thought id ask here.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pho/3840219910.html

If its not or you feel like if you want to browse the Kansas City craigslist for a better deal that may interest us.

Maybe there are some brand new cameras that are less then $500 that would be a better option?

Thanks,

 

[blastingcap]

It's not necessarily a bad deal, but I would personally pass on it as that camera is so outdated, it can't even take video without a laptop.

If you just want a nice camera that's better than your current point and shoot, and you're a "camera noob" as you put it, try a used Canon 95/100/110 (any of them) for under $150 as you get manual controls and a relatively large sensor with relatively fast lens for better low-light performance. If you like it, keep it. If you don't, sell it (it will sell easily). I am betting that by the time you outgrow a S95, you will have a much better idea of what you awnt.

P.S. I think it's funny you want people to do your work for you and browse the KC craigslist.

 

[HendrixFan]

B&H has it used for cheaper.

I'd lean towards spending slightly over $500 to get a t4i or similar if you don't mind used. The video capabilities of the newer Canon models can pay dividends down the road.

 

[soulcougher73]

It's not necessarily a bad deal, but I would personally pass on it as that camera is so outdated, it can't even take video without a laptop.

If you just want a nice camera that's better than your current point and shoot, and you're a "camera noob" as you put it, try a used Canon 95/100/110 (any of them) for under $150 as you get manual controls and a relatively large sensor with relatively fast lens for better low-light performance. If you like it, keep it. If you don't, sell it (it will sell easily). I am betting that by the time you outgrow a S95, you will have a much better idea of what you awnt.

P.S. I think it's funny you want people to do your work for you and browse the KC craigslist.

Thanks for the input. In the garage peopel browese CL all the time for others looking for local deals. Didnt think it would be an issue. Why would a noob browse it? I dont know anything about cameras. But ill look into the ones you mentioned as $150ish sounds better

 

[Spoooon]

http://www.keh.com/ is a good place to check for used camera gear.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

It's not necessarily a bad deal, but I would personally pass on it as that camera is so outdated, it can't even take video without a laptop.

If you just want a nice camera that's better than your current point and shoot, and you're a "camera noob" as you put it, try a used Canon 95/100/110 (any of them) for under $150 as you get manual controls and a relatively large sensor with relatively fast lens for better low-light performance. If you like it, keep it. If you don't, sell it (it will sell easily). I am betting that by the time you outgrow a S95, you will have a much better idea of what you awnt.

P.S. I think it's funny you want people to do your work for you and browse the KC craigslist.

I'm a bit leary of gear that clearly states "lens requires a good professional cleaning"

To me, that indicates dust/mold on internal components, and this is the #1 devaluer of older lenses.

I wouldn't be thrilled myself with the kit.

 

[blastingcap]

I'm a bit leary of gear that clearly states "lens requires a good professional cleaning"

To me, that indicates dust/mold on internal components, and this is the #1 devaluer of older lenses.

I wouldn't be thrilled myself with the kit.

Shoot, I missed that part. I would definitely stay away from that setup now.

 

[Paladin3]

I almost never see a decent deal on camera gear on craigslist. If there is a good deal it's gone within minutes of the posting.

Because craigslist is free, it's more a venue for sellers who want top dollar and are willing to wait as long as it take to get it. I find a lot of camera sellers on craigslist don't understand the concept of older technology losing it's value, or simple depreciation.

Something like THIS, which was mentioned in another thread, would be a decent choice within your budget.

 

[fralexandr]

yep, $400 for an xsi bundle isn't particularly awesome.
most entry/low-mid level camera bodies around that era are ~$250 or less and the 75-300mm (~$100) isn't as nice as the 55-250 IS.
It's a definite pass at $400 imo.

I'm a bit leary of gear that clearly states "lens requires a good professional cleaning"

To me, that indicates dust/mold on internal components, and this is the #1 devaluer of older lenses.

I wouldn't be thrilled myself with the kit.

I'd imagine it's pretty hard to get fungus to actually grow inside a lens unless you store it in the bathroom or live someplace humid or something . To me it sounds like it's got some average amount of dust in it from the craigslist post (zoom lenses/lenses that pull lots of air tend to get some dust).

The nikon d3100 refurb is a great deal if you don't mind the slightly older tech.
i.e. not as many video features, worse lcd (230k->930k helps when previewing images); i think the d3200 has a newer autofocus version and probably better low light. the d3200 costs significantly more atm though.

I think the wide variety of nicely priced micro-4/3 bodies have largely pushed the price down on the old APS-C bodies.
If you want something smaller and lighter, you can't go wrong with micro-4/3. The olympus pen epl3 was recently on newegg shellshocker for $250 too bad you missed that. Currently it's $350, which is still pretty good considering they were much more expensive when all the camera makers started shoving out micro-4/3 1-2 years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-E-PL3-.../dp/B005EZMAKE
Also, they look great if Wife Acceptance Factor matters .

IF you want a place to host images, flickr.com recently spiffied itself up (full size images available, 1TB storage, nice new appearance).

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edit: looked around on kansas.craigslist a bit
http://lawrence.craigslist.org/pho/3813576104.html d3200 w/ basic kit + shotgun microphone (the ad says pioneer, but pics show polaroid) $400
The posts old, so it probably sold already.
seems like it'd be a bit of a drive, but it might be worth it to you.

thread on what to look for when buying a used camera (so you don't get pwned), though there shouldn't be any problems yet with a new camera like the d3200.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33558640

 

[CuriousMike]

Also consider the excellent D5100 refurb,
http://www.adorama.com/INKD5100KR.html

 

[fralexandr]

adorama's ebay store has the d3100 for $305
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3100...338751?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4d0d0b7dff