Ok - so when are we going to get a 299$ DSLR with lens?
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Get a refurb/used Nikon D40/Rebel XT/XTi or similar. Last year, with the 30% eBay cash back, it was quite possible to get a used D80 body for around $300. Buying used is a great way to get started with SLRs, especially if you don't have a lot of money on hand. Many of these used cameras don't have more then 10,000 shutter clicks on them anyway, so they have quite a bit of life left in them.
Lots of people are buying SLRs as is so it doesn't make sense for manufacturers to suddenly drop prices to below $500. Plus, what more features are they going to take out? The entry level cams like the Canon Rebel XS and Nikon D40 already lack important features like spot metering and exposure bracketing.
Prices have fallen precipitously in recent years.
In Oct 07, I bought a new retail Pentax K100D w/kit lens for ~ $330 from Abe's of Maine (NJ).
In fact, using Canon as an example, they've almost cut their entry-level DSLR price in half, compared with 4 years ago. Comparing Rebel XT with Rebel XS.
Sometimes just before or just after summer, you'll see better deals, and also manufacturer's rebates. Recently there was a Nikon D40 refurb for $299, but I think that's gone.
There's some legit looking fleabay stores that have the Pentax K2000 with kit lens and external flash (although it doesn't tilt/swivel) for ~$470 w/free shipping. This is before any of the Live! cashback stuff.
There's also a Nikon D40 w/kit lens for ~ $450/free shipping, and a D40 w/kit lens and a 55-200,, lens for $523/shipped.
I know, these are a far cry from $299...
Just gotta keep your eyes peeled.
There's some legit looking fleabay stores that have the Pentax K2000 with kit lens and external flash (although it doesn't tilt/swivel) for ~$470 w/free shipping. This is before any of the Live! cashback stuff.
There's also a Nikon D40 w/kit lens for ~ $450/free shipping, and a D40 w/kit lens and a 55-200,, lens for $523/shipped.
I know, these are a far cry from $299...
Just gotta keep your eyes peeled.
nikon D40x refurb for $349 but its just the body only
http://www.adorama.com/INKD40XR.html
They had a D60 refurb for $299 but not anymore and of course body only.
http://www.adorama.com/INKD40XR.html
They had a D60 refurb for $299 but not anymore and of course body only.
pre sales tax (which you wouldn't be liable for if exporting outside the EU) a Sony a200 plus kit 18-70mm is ~£210 or $300 here ...
Don't know how much carriage would be to the US but it's maybe worth investigating.
Don't know how much carriage would be to the US but it's maybe worth investigating.
Very capable cam with the kit lens. Available for about that price used. New - well I don't know if I'd trust a camera that inexpensive, knowing what it takes to manufacture.
Wow, that is quite impressive for Oct 07!
I paid about $455 for my EOS 40D body with less than 4000 clicks (back when I purchased it). Live Cashback ftw
Even a blind nut finds a squirrel, sometimes! Pentax had introduced the K100D Super (adds anti-dust, SDM) so "regular" K100D's were being cleared out, I guess. Pentax was offering a $50 MIR. I bought from Abe's of Maine, which is actually in NJ, so I had to pay both shipping & tax, but still cheaper than elsewhere.
If you hunt around, there are good deals to be found. 4000 clicks is barely broken in!
Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Even a blind nut finds a squirrel, sometimes! Pentax had introduced the K100D Super (adds anti-dust, SDM) so "regular" K100D's were being cleared out, I guess. Pentax was offering a $50 MIR. I bought from Abe's of Maine, which is actually in NJ, so I had to pay both shipping & tax, but still cheaper than elsewhere.
If you hunt around, there are good deals to be found. 4000 clicks is barely broken in!
Yep, and now it's around 9250...after I shoot some more portraits of friends and go to the cherry blossoms in Washingto DC next week it should be getting close to hitting the 10k mark.
I see a bunch of 40Ds on sale over at POTN selling for around $700-750...makes me tempted to sell mine and get a 50D lol. But, because my 40D is already such a great camera, I doubt I'll be getting rid of it anytime soon.
It's not worth the effort IMO. The formula hasn't changed much with canon... always seems that it's only worth upgrading every other generation if you want to keep up. Even then, my 20D still is kickin along my 40D. It's just the tiny ass screen that's annoying.
I just hope the "60D" doesn't change the battery. though, I have a feeling they will be taking what the 5DmkII has =(
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my rebel 2000 film SLR cost $349 back in 2002, brand new retail. that was one of the cheapest SLRs on the market. it is severely outclassed in performance and features by basically every digital SLR on the market. and the dollar was worth more then.
i wonder how many times partial has ever disagreed with spot.
Ok, we're semi-threadjacking now, but I feel like Canon follows Intel's formula of tick,tock.
As someone on POTN said:
The EOS D60 was a big update to the D30, but the 10D is what the D60 should have been.
The EOS 20D was a big update to the 10D, but the 30D is what the 20D should have been.
The EOS 40D was a big update to the 30D, but the 50D is what the 40D should have been.
Following this line of thinking, the 60D should be the next big update to the 40D
ah yes, nice analogy pick on intel. but my battery change fear is on the fact the 60D should be a significant change.
but to get back on topic... w/o getting refurb, used, or clearanced items, I think we're looking at a good 3-5yrs before we have an everyday 299 dslr body. anyone think we'll see it sooner?
Maybe a little sooner, but we've come to what seems like a tipping point on the APS-C sensors, no? I'm going with software not being able to do too much more for now. But focus will move more toward the rest of the camera, maybe drive the sensor cost down and opening up the 299-399 body only camera.
The other thing affecting prices is the lens.
Even the most low-end (yet still decent) lenses, such as Canon 18-55mm IS or Nikkor 18-55mm VR, cost about $100 used or new. To make a $299 DSLR with a half-decent lens requires the body to be worth about $200...
When you have a DSLR body costing $200, what are point and shoots going to cost? $50?
I feel like the only realistic way to get a complete DSLR package for $299 is to buy used.
Last week on POTN, a Rebel XTi with <5000 clicks, kit lens, and battery grip sold for $300 shipped. Deals like that are simply not available if you had to have a new camera.
Introduce a budget DSLR? They have been out for some time. Take a look at the prices for a prosumer DSLR, and tell me they haven't.
Alyx
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I only buy used bodies, the price of new bodies drop almost worse than new cars. I recently sold an XT for about $300 with lens. They really are a steal, you can do almost anything with them. All you miss is a few fancy features of the newer stuff, nothing really required to get great results.
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