I really want a 350D but... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/16/2007 11:15:42 AM · #1

So, I really, really, really want a 350D (Rebel XT) with a lens (and preferably the original software/books) but...

I only have $280 to spend, and I've been scouring eBay to see what I can find, but that is pointless. I am not going to find a 350D with lens for under $280 (gotta think about shipping) on eBay.

There's also another catch.... that $280 I have to spend, I can only spend it as a Visa transaction. It's a Visa Giftcard that I got for Christmas. So, I can't use it as paypal or anything like that. It has to be used as a credit card purchase.

So, what can I do? Will I be able to find a 350D for under $280 (don't forget I have to pay shipping) that I can use this giftcard as a Visa credit card?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

01/16/2007 11:25:33 AM · #2

I very highly doubt you'll come even close, especially considering that shipping mut be included and that could come to more than 5% of what you have to spend. The private seller XTs still seem to be going for nearly $500, and some of these don't include a lens.
If you can save up the money for the body, using the Visa card for a lens would be my recommendation.

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

01/16/2007 11:30:58 AM · #3

Maybe just maybe you could find a 300D body only and then save up later to get a lens. I suggest getting the Canon 50mm f1.8. It's only about 70-80 dollars and it's a fantastic lens. A lot of Canon shooters swear by it (as do I).

01/16/2007 11:32:43 AM · #4

Yeah, that's what I figured. I didn't think that I would ever be able to find one for that price. Would I have any luck with a Nikon?

Basically, I'm looking to upgrade from a point and shoot to an SLR. So, I reckon that even an older (but not too old) SLR would do the trick for now.

Maybe I was just getting too ahead of myself. hehe

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

01/16/2007 11:38:42 AM · #5

Originally posted by bigalpha:

Maybe I was just getting too ahead of myself. hehe

Maybe so. DSLRs are a great thing to own, but as you know, they cost a ton! I wish they didn't! Looks like you are going to have to save some more in order to join the DSLR group.

A little advice: There will always be a better camera than the one you have. And even if you spend thousands upon thousands and have the latest and greatest, trust me, it's going to be short lived.. Pick a camera that you are comfortable with and suits your needs. And dont just think its all about megapixels, its not. A camera is as only as good as it's lens. The body is for features, and the lens is for quality. If you don't need 5 fps continous, then don't pay for it.

/0.2

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/16/2007 11:45:05 AM · #6

jf - I think you are right, it may be a case of "the grass is greener", but I have been wanting to do the upgrade for a while.

The continuous shooting would actually come in handy for me. I play sports, and my girlfriend is always trying to get that "perfect" shot. The continuous shot feature would be nice.

I suppose I'll keep looking around and see what I find.

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/16/2007 01:06:20 PM · #7

Originally posted by bigalpha:

Would I have any luck with a Nikon?

Comparable Nikons are usually just a gnat's hair MORE than Canons. You're actually trying to buy too much with too little. Sorry; the market just isn't that low yet. Don't try to get in the SLR world with less than $500, and even then you're in the 300D market instead of 350.

And just by the way, there's no good reason to stay away from 300D if you're really just getting in to it.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/16/2007 01:40:28 PM · #8

Originally posted by nards656:

Originally posted by bigalpha:
Would I have any luck with a Nikon?

Comparable Nikons are usually just a gnat's hair MORE than Canons. You're actually trying to buy too much with too little. Sorry; the market just isn't that low yet. Don't try to get in the SLR world with less than $500, and even then you're in the 300D market instead of 350.

And just by the way, there's no good reason to stay away from 300D if you're really just getting in to it.

Well dang. I guess I'll just stick with a P&S until I can save up enough dollar bills to get a dSLR. My girlfriend and my mom both have a Canon P&S (A - series) and I actually don't like them much. There is a a significant lag between taking a picture and when the camera is ready to take a new picture.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/16/2007 01:54:12 PM · #9

What about going to a camera store, buying the camera, applying the VISA gift card to the total, and finance the remainder. Some stores (such as Samy's here in California) will open a credit line for you with no interest and no payments for quite a few months. In that meantime, just save up and when the end of "those months" arrive, pay it off. No interest, no late fees, no penalties, etc. It's almost the same as cash! (as long as you pay it off in time).

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/16/2007 02:20:01 PM · #10

Originally posted by lesgainous:

Well, I prefer to pay for stuff instead of financing it. I've already done that with a camcorder. I think I'll visit the local camera store to see what they have though, I didn't think of that until now.

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/16/2007 02:29:43 PM · #11

Originally posted by bigalpha:

I think I'll visit the local camera store to see what they have though, I didn't think of that until now.

If ya don't have the money and don't wanna go in debt, I really recommend you stay the heck out of the camera store!!!!! Those places get in your head, man!!!!

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

01/16/2007 02:34:26 PM · #12

Originally posted by nards656:

Originally posted by bigalpha:
I think I'll visit the local camera store to see what they have though, I didn't think of that until now.

If ya don't have the money and don't wanna go in debt, I really recommend you stay the heck out of the camera store!!!!! Those places get in your head, man!!!!

Very Truthful!

Bugzeye

01/16/2007 02:34:29 PM · #13

This is true. Every time I go into one of those places "just to look around" I walk out with a melted credit card and a bag full of presious goodies.

Originally posted by nards656:

If ya don't have the money and don't wanna go in debt, I really recommend you stay the heck out of the camera store!!!!! Those places get in your head, man!!!!

01/16/2007 02:36:48 PM · #14

haha, then maybe I shouldn't go. I'll just leave my wallet at home. That'd be the safest thing to do.

Do ya know of any P&S's that have the continuous shooting function? I've already gotten a PM to let me know there's a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z3 that does.

idp

Canon EOS-30D

01/16/2007 03:17:29 PM · #15

i had a lot of fun with and learnt a lot from my Fuji s7000 - secondhand onm ebay they're very cheap - okay they have severe limitations but it took me several months to learn enough for them to matter

Olympus 35mm f/3.5 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

01/16/2007 04:04:30 PM · #16

So, I've been scoping out the KONICA MINOLTA DiMAGE Z6 a little more, and it seems to be the right choice for an intermediate step between my ole Sony P&S and a high-end dSLR.

I am leaning a little more towards the Z6. One question I do have -- I couldn't find whether it had a removable lens. I found a series of eBay auctions for different lenses that will fit the Z6.

TheStick

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

01/16/2007 04:28:29 PM · #17

The Z6 is like the (no removeable lens) Z3. You need to get this tube thing so you can attach filters and the like.

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 16:28:52.

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/16/2007 04:29:17 PM · #18

I'm pretty sure nothing in the Dimage series is removable lens.

Just a caution... "continuous shooting" can mean a lot of different things, and "2 frames per second" is a LOT different than the 5 or 8 that top end stuff has. I just don't want you to think you're getting something you're not just because you saw those two words.

EDIT - Just checked //www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Konica_Minolta/konicaminolta_dimagez6.asp , and I'm certain the lens is not removable. All those ebay things are for add on lenses. Don't base a cam purchase on those; they typically aren't very good. EDIT 2 - With the built in 12X zoom, you don't really need extra lenses.

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 16:32:36.

TheStick

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 35mm f/3.5 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

01/16/2007 04:31:09 PM · #19

Originally posted by nards656:

Sorry, I read your post wrong the first time. The desc should give what the Z6 can do and only the user can deside if it will fit their needs.

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 16:32:31.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

01/16/2007 08:10:37 PM · #20

Well, 2 or 3 pps is a lot faster than my .4 or .6 my Sony had. haha. What else can "continuous shooting" mean; other than it can take an average of that many pictures per second?

I haven't gotten my hopes up too much, I know that those cameras won't be exactly what I'm looking for, but they are much closer to what I'm looking for than the Sony I was using.

If you guys think that that type of camera isn't quite what I'm looking for, do you guys have any other suggestions of a decent camera that won't break the bank?

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

01/16/2007 08:23:51 PM · #21

A great way to break into the dSLR feel and function world is an Olympus E-10. Used ones can be readily found within your budget. It is a true dSLR, though does not have interchangeable lenses (no sensor dust!), but does have add-on lenses for macro and telephoto up to 420mm equiv in a 35mm camera. It is stealthy in that there is no mirror to slap up & down, allowing a sharper picture at slower shutter speeds (I often hand-held shots at 1/15 sec cleanly) The E-10 is built like a tank and has very good optics. The down sides I found with it were more noise than I wanted at ISO 160 and 320. ISO80 is pretty clean. Shutter speed is limited to 1/640sec. but rarely did I find the need to exceed it. Read/write times are a tad slow, and needs a good flash card to work well. Battery life is marginal, but the added battery grip really did the trick.
All in all, it's a great dSLR that won't break the bank, and is hard to kill. Just a thought.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/16/2007 08:46:33 PM · #22

Look for a film slr you should be able to find something for less then $280. If you choose the correct one then you may be able to use it on a dSLR when you have enough money for one.