DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Help! Should I buy the Canon Digital Rebel?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 15 of 15, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 05/03/2004 11:29:59 AM · #1
Well, this weekend I assisted a photographer in 2 weddings. It was my first time, and it was amazing. It made me SURE that I really want to pursue photography as a way to make a living. Working with people on their wedding day was so much fun, it was a great atmosphere, everyone was happy and excited, the whole experience was just great.

The photographer used a film SLR and also a digital Canon Rebel which I got to use for a little while. I loved it!!! It was my first time using a digital SLR and it was awesome.

So yeah now I can't stop thinking about this camera and I really want it. I found a website where I could get a Digital Rebel WITH a lens, brand new "factory fresh" and free shipping.... all for under $650 bucks. Is this for real????

I don't know if i'm allowed to post a link to it on here, or if that would be considered advertising. But yeah I'm really itching to buy this camera.

I'm also considering the Nikon D70 but that's kinda out of my price range. Even on this same website, the D70 is about $1200, which is just too much. However, $650, that's something I could possibly afford.

Let me know what you guys think!

(it says it's a 18-55mm EF-S Lens)

Message edited by author 2004-05-03 11:36:37.
 05/03/2004 11:36:00 AM · #2
I think that for $650 you're definitly looking at a scam of some sort. Thats almost $300 cheaper than what a good vendor like B&H is charging.

Link B&H:300D

It is an awesome camera though, maybe you can just save a little more money and get it from the better company. You'll probably have a much better experience that way...

05/03/2004 11:37:25 AM · #3
$650 is too good to be true- it's either graymarket (no U.S. warranty) or you'll never get it at that price. Some vendors will sell you the camera at that price, but take everything else that's normally included out of the box and sell it back to you as 'optional accessories'. Check the retailer at resellerratings.com.

There was a legitimate $799 deal discussed here recently.
 05/03/2004 11:37:39 AM · #4
ahh so if it's ok to post the link... this is where I found the "unbelievable" price

//royalcamera.com/caneos30kitd.html
 05/03/2004 11:40:30 AM · #5
if you're planning to do a wedding, keep in mind the "other" things you're going to need (external flash with manual controls like the 550ex, big and multiple flash cards, off camera flash cord, and a bracket of some kind). this will put you way over $650.00.

if you mean you just liked the camera and want one, then go for it ... but the $650 does seem too good to be true.
 05/03/2004 11:41:36 AM · #6
They have a reseller rating of 0.63 in a field where the average is 8.34. That should tell you all you need to know.
 05/03/2004 11:42:57 AM · #7
Originally posted by scalvert:
They have a reseller rating of 0.63 in a field where the average is 8.34. That should tell you all you need to know.


I was gonna post the same thing..... I would stay away from them big time....

James
 05/03/2004 11:45:02 AM · #8
Also beware that a lot of the "low cost" places will not be Canon USA-warrantied items, but rather "gray market" items that have been imported in to the U.S. with warranties offered by a third party. Sometimes, the instruction manual provided may not even be in English. (But they may offer to sell you one for an extra charge, along with all of the other "accessories" that are supposed to be included in the box.)

For some insight of how these places operate, listen to this phone call that I found on the net last year. The caller discusses a high-end Canon video camera. Pay attention to the price difference for the "international" (stripped) version compared to the US version. Beware of the same sort of thing for digital cameras. This particular place is actually pretty honest when the issue is brought up; other more slimey places jerk you around with fast-talk and it isn't until you get the package that you find out you were scammed...
 05/03/2004 11:46:23 AM · #9
Originally posted by scalvert:
They have a reseller rating of 0.63 in a field where the average is 8.34. That should tell you all you need to know.


YIKES!!! thank you so much!
 05/03/2004 11:51:55 AM · #10
You've discovered that there is a vast difference between the point & shoot cams (even the high end ones) and DSLRs. One experience like that and you are spoiled.
If you are going to pursue photography as a career, there is no doubt that you will need to invest in a DSLR at some point. you should base the decision on the lens system you will want to use, and not on the bodies available at the time.
The $650 price for the DRebel is almost certainly too good to be true. Watch out, there are a LOT of unscrupulous retailers out there. Buy from a reputable source, don't be seduced by a low "come-on" price. Three good online resources that are frequently recommended are:

- B&H Photo
- 17th Street Photo
- Adorama

If you are concerned about the cost, you should consider that you are starting down a path that will require a major investment. Your investment in lenses will far exceed the cost of the body, and we've not talked about other necessary accessories.
If you want to do wedding photography, you will in particular need high quality, fast glass; this will not come cheap. In the end, the quality of your product is a function not only of your talent, but also (to a lesser but still important degree) of the quality of your equipment. Digital SLRs require high-quality glass to get the most from their sensors. You will also need a back-up body (this could be a cheaper film body); this is critical for much professional work and especially so for weddings, where there is no "second chance".
Do your research, figure out which body, lenses, and other equipment you will need, plan your purchases in stages, recognize that you will upgrade your body periodically, and you will have a realistic outlook that you can plan to.
05/03/2004 11:56:54 AM · #11
One thing to bear in mind when buying a DSLR (certainly from my experience) is that the camera body is a relatively fractional proportion of cost. You can easily spend the same again on lenses, memory, and other accessories. A lot of these can be incremental purchases, but they do add up, trust me!
 05/03/2004 12:10:09 PM · #12
Yes, go buy one. I love mine. :-)
 05/03/2004 12:52:18 PM · #13
Originally posted by Sonifo:
Yes, go buy one. I love mine. :-)


I totally agree!
 05/03/2004 01:02:55 PM · #14
Originally posted by superdave_909:
Originally posted by Sonifo:
Yes, go buy one. I love mine. :-)
I totally agree!


I love mine too - don't know what I would do without it!
 05/03/2004 01:16:32 PM · #15
The D70 is good too! I love mine! :-)

Another good online retailer that I've dealt with for some of my accessories is Etronics
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 05/29/2025 07:58:22 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 05/29/2025 07:58:22 AM EDT.