Is this a good deal?

[TechBoyJK]

Dell Canon Rebel Xti 10MP SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens - $489

I'm not a professional photographer. Just want something to have fun with. I have relatively small hands so I'm not worried about the small size of the Xti. I've already played with one at the store and liked it.

I know there are better alternatives like the Nikon D40, but it is also much more expensive, and right now, out of my budget. But it looks like for less than $600 (memory card) I could have a decent setup for sightseeing photos, etc..

 

[jpeyton]

Looks good; buy it.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Looks good; buy it.

PopPhoto.com Xti Chart

Having read some of your other posts, it seems like you are a Nikon fan, so I wonder how serious your reply is. Having seen this same camera in the stores for $600+, $489 seems like a good deal.

However, it looks like I was mistaken, in the link I provided, it says the Nikon D40 is actually cheaper than the Canon, and both include a lens. However, the Canon is 10MP and the Nikon is 6MP.

I actually think I'd be happy with 6MP, which is why I was actually considering some of the bargain deals on the original XT and not the XTI (XT being an 8MP). But the deal from Dell on the XTI is better than what I've seen for the XT.

I'm going to the store tomorrow to look at the cameras again before I buy. I don't want to spend more than $600 for the cam and memcard, but if spending $700 yields me a much better piece, I'd wait, save a bit more and then buy. But I would like something now.... and the dell deal seems fair.

 

[jpeyton]

I'm a Nikon user, but that doesn't mean I can't call a good deal when I see one.

For $489, you'll get a very capable DSLR with lens. The two options on the Nikon side are a new D40/D40x (between $450-$550) or a used D80 (around $500-$600).

Go to the store; play around with the XTi and D40 (and a D80 if they have one). Make sure you spend a lot of time peeking through the viewfinder, playing with the settings and dials, etc.

I don't have small hands, so that is why I went Nikon. Build quality felt better on the Nikon side too. But your in-hand experience might be different.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
Dell Canon Rebel Xti 10MP SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens - $489

I'm not a professional photographer. Just want something to have fun with. I have relatively small hands so I'm not worried about the small size of the Xti. I've already played with one at the store and liked it.

I know there are better alternatives like the Nikon D40, but it is also much more expensive, and right now, out of my budget. But it looks like for less than $600 (memory card) I could have a decent setup for sightseeing photos, etc..

It may not be as good as you think-- the package that costs $489 doesn't include a lens. While the 18-55 EF-S is not stellar, it is useable, and you could have sold it for a bit of cash back.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: punchkin

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
Dell Canon Rebel Xti 10MP SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens - $489

I'm not a professional photographer. Just want something to have fun with. I have relatively small hands so I'm not worried about the small size of the Xti. I've already played with one at the store and liked it.

I know there are better alternatives like the Nikon D40, but it is also much more expensive, and right now, out of my budget. But it looks like for less than $600 (memory card) I could have a decent setup for sightseeing photos, etc..

It may not be as good as you think-- the package that costs $489 doesn't include a lens. While the 18-55 EF-S is not stellar, it is useable, and you could have sold it for a bit of cash back.

wow. they just reduced the discount. it was over $200. The 489 did include the lens..... now it doesnt. damn. i couldnt even wait a day.

 

[TechBoyJK]

cameraaddict.com - $479 + shipping

Broadywayphoto.com - $489

Anybody heard of these sites?

 

[Fardringle]

The Camera Addict link is for the body only, so it's not any better than the Dell listing you were looking at earlier.

The Broadway Photo link includes the 18-55 EF-S lens, which would make it a good price. However, Broadway Photo is a reseller that you should stay far away from if you are interested in getting decent equipment. And that's assuming you are even lucky enough to get part of what you actually order from them...

 

[TheDrake]

I was able to find the Nikon D40 for $499 at bestbuy on sale and then was able to use a 12% coupon and it dropped it down to $440 plus tax and you get it right away and not have to wait for shipping. I know they had the sale for $499 last week at BB and they seem to be pretty common at that price on sale. movers coupons for 10% work fine on it too.

 

[soydios]

the best value for your money right now is a used D50, IMO; they're going for about $350 on eBay in good condition with a lens. the D40 is essentially a D50 stripped down for upgrading P&S users. the D50 uses a bigger battery, has a top LCD, more autofocus points, and the crucial in-body autofocus motor to use the huge stable of AF Nikkor lenses. the D50 gave up surprisingly few features to get to its low price point, which I think is why Nikon discontinued it, because it was cannibalizing D70 sales. I was really hoping that the D60 would be a D50 update, instead of a D40xs.