checking out a used camera later today - any tips?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/08/2004 09:26:37 PM · #1

i found a relatively hot (or so i think?) deal for a digital rebel from a local guy. he's selling his used 300D because he bought the new 20D, and says the 300D is in great condition with no scratches - comes with everything in the box, including the 18-55mm lens and a battery grip. anyway, asking $600 for it - which is even $60-80 cheaper than you can buy a used digital rebel for on ebay (without the lens), from what i've seen so far.

to sum it up - i'm really tempted to get this camera, and am checking it out later tonight (in about 2 hours). can anyone give me some tips/pointers to make sure that i check for the right things? obviously, i will look for cosmetic defects and lens scratches. is there anything else that you guys really recommend i look at before making this purchase?

thanks!

Gauti

Canon EOS-7D

12/08/2004 09:33:28 PM · #2

try to find out how many shots have been taken on it.
how?
good question
edit:
one possible way:
take some shots and look at the file # (for ex 198-9870) i think the last 4 digits give you an idea how many exposurs per 10,000 (my camera has about 10,000). so the 198 means first 10,000 and 98 = 9800 folder adn 9870 pic # 70 in that folder.
But I could be totally wrong here.
I think this also depends on file numbering settings.

Hopefully this helps a little.

WHY? The shutter has a limited life, somewhere I heard 25000 before wear starts to become an issue. So the fewer shots the better.

Cheers

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 21:39:34.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/08/2004 09:44:05 PM · #3

interesting - never knew that - thanks for the pointer. but, isn't this value modifiable? i'm pretty sure that on my dsc-f717, if i just reset the settings to default, it also resets the series #. or maybe not - but i do remember that it is an option in there somewhere. kinda like turning the odometer back on a car, i guess =\

Gauti

Canon EOS-7D

12/08/2004 09:48:19 PM · #4

Originally posted by brianlh:

I just >KNOW< there is a way to get the total # of shots, but I really cannot remember how. I seem to remember it beeing in the EXIF info, but that seem strange, why there?
You could always take it to a Canon dealer / repair shop and ask them to find that number for you.
Of course, this is only an issue if it has 15-20,000 shots on it. If not used much, go for it :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/08/2004 10:05:22 PM · #5

hm - yea i don't doubt you, but i guess i don't know how to figure that out either! maybe i should ask if he uses it frequently or not - i figured that since the rebel has only been out a little over a year, that means he'd have to have taken an average of about 50 shots per day since getting it, to total 20,000 shots - something that i would guess to be unlikely (but i suppose is always possible, so i will ask!) thanks for the tip :)

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/08/2004 10:23:59 PM · #6

I've only had my Rebel since March and I've put 21,000+ shots on it, so it IS possible. It can't hurt to ask. Take a few shots with it. If everything seems to work, then you're probably fine. Take a shot of a plain white or gray surface under strong light at the highest f-stop possible. Any bad dust on the sensor will be visible on the photo (the sensor can be cleaned, but I'd still want to know). Sounds like a good deal.

12/09/2004 01:38:41 AM · #7

just checked it out and it looks like it's in great condition. absolutely no cosmetic scratches, no lens scratches.. took the pictures, everything came out without dust or scratches (he mentioned that he just cleaned the sensor a few weeks ago) - he also said that he's probably only taken a few thousand shots with it.. i'm really thinking about heading down to get it tomorrow.

thanks for the tips!

petrakka

12/09/2004 02:17:53 AM · #8

sounds like a good idea, for that price. future repairs could be inevitable new or used,and this one doesnt even sound that used. i'd go for it.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/10/2004 04:36:38 PM · #9

snagged it! haven't gotten a chance to play with it MUCH yet because it's my final exams week, but I will soon enough!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

12/10/2004 05:13:53 PM · #10

Originally posted by brianlh:

snagged it! haven't gotten a chance to play with it MUCH yet because it's my final exams week, but I will soon enough!

Congrats Brian! Now wait until lens addiction sets in, LOL.