Gears under 600 - DPChallenge Forums

09/09/2010 11:08:40 PM · #1

Canon 30D - $325 eBay (Excellent condition)
Canon 28-105 USM II lens - $175 Amazon (Good condition)
Battery Grip New/w remote - $25 eBay
Speedlite YN560 New/w slave option - $70 (Just received today)

The flash has motorized head and slave option to put it anywhere to use it as wireless flash. I am planning to order another one or two. for $70 (69) you can't go wrong.

The lens gave me err99 for the first two days or so, then it stopped. I believe lens wasn't used for a long time, so there probably was something built up on blades which now is gone because of usage. I have not receive any error since and I am very comfortable with it.

30D body came in excellent condition. I cleaned up more, dusted between the buttons and stuff (regular stuff, if you look at yours, you probably will see some dust between the buttons... small thin paintbrush is my best friend to dust those areas), it is now looks and feels like brand new.

So, even it is risky to buy used items, can save you TONS. Just look around, they are out there (don't forget to check seller reviews EVERY TIME before buy anything)

09/09/2010 11:38:26 PM · #2

There are some good deals to be had. Also some people asking WAYYY more than their used stuff is worth. I don't care for the auction hassle, however, so I usually check Amazon first and either I like the price, or I continue looking.

09/12/2010 11:48:19 PM · #3

This photo taking with my new flash against the sun. It was a raw file and I had little blown the photo, so I fixed the exposure using PS. But, if the shutter speed was set correctly, it would look like this without fixing it (honesty)

09/25/2010 10:12:52 AM · #4

The Canon 28-105 USM II lens - $175 from Amazon had err99 problem at the beginning (2 days only). I would like to share my experiences with it so maybe you can do the same if you have those kinds of issues in the future.

This error seems like a communication error between the lens and the machine. I found out this lens also had a common problem with its aperture, which is getting stuck from time to time and needs to be fixed (with WAY more than what paid for the whole thing). So, here is what I have tried, and seems like working perfectly so far:

Since err99 was coming out randomly, and aperture was getting stuck randomly, I thought maybe the lens wasn't used for a long time, and probably built something between the blades. Even little moister can do that. I set the smallest aperture (largest F number) when its attached to the camera, and used "DOF preview" button to open and close a few times (probably more than 50 times in a row). Since I have done this, there are no err99 messages coming up anymore (not even once).

There are other fixes for err99, such as cleaning the contact pins, so, if you combine those solutions with this one, you now have more trouble shooting options for err99 issue :) more is better.

10/12/2010 05:04:25 AM · #5

Just ordered my new (used) Canon 40D WHOO HOOO.
I posted 30D (body only, with a holster, charger, 2 batteries and 2 GB CF Card... $360, Free shipment) for sale on eBay.

I paid $570 for the 40D, I assume not bad deal for a mint condition camera. Comes in a its original box and remote trigger (I have wireless one built into the grip, so that doesn't matter), batteries, charger and all CDs.

Reasons that I got 40D

1-Originally I wanted 40D
2-10 Megapixel
3-Digit III Processor
4-Faster and quieter shutter
5-Larger LCD (Oh yeah)
6-Stronger body

...many other reasons comes with the machine. I am not that crazy about the live-view.

By the way, I just checked the owners of 40D in DPC, it is "1666"... I hope it doesn't mean anything :-\

Message edited by author 2010-10-12 05:27:52.

10/13/2010 04:04:06 PM · #6

I believe I shot my last challenge entry with 30D (From The Knees Down). It is an excellent machine, I am still debating with myself to keep 30D with 40D... 3 days for eBay to end, is it worth for 350 bucks to get rid of it?

I donno... One voice says "Sell it and you can get a nice lens instead", other voice says "don't sell it stupid, you can always use a second machine if one breaks"... Which voice is the devil's voice :P

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/13/2010 04:08:18 PM · #7

Will an additional lens give you some capability you don't have now? Will you be able to afford that lens in the near future without selling the body? Nice to have the backup, though.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

10/13/2010 04:13:52 PM · #8

Originally posted by FocusPoint:

Congrats on 40D, I know where you are coming from as I had the same decision to make when I bought the D700. Those little voices don't go away, plus the wife says I should get rid of the D300. But, I'm keeping both as I like the extra reach of the D300 crop factor and the better ISO performance and less noise of the D700. Both bodies fit in with my needs at the moment, so I just bought a generic battery grip for the D300+ two spare batteries:))

So, if you have uses for both bodies, keep them both. If you want a new lens, sell the 30D. I think the devil's voice is one telling you that you should sell both and buy a P&S:))

10/15/2010 03:48:50 AM · #9

Ok, I am going crazy. I just found a perfect gift for myself and for my 40D.

85mm F1.8 prime

I WANT this lens as I wanted 40D badly. I am pretty sure they both will do just fine together. I will get rid of all my lenses and keep that one until I have enough money to get me a nice zoom lens.

this lens considered an "L" lens without a red strip... and results prove of it. I just can't wait :)

Amazon used price is $350 (since I can't afford the new one), or eBay bids around $300.

Even thread says "Gears under '600'" now it's over '600' what I spent... with 40D and this lens, it's "Nice Gears Under 1000"... and not bad at all still.

11/06/2010 07:01:52 PM · #10

Kid in a Toys store... that's me.

Just got my other two new items. Battery pack for my flashes, 8 X AA holder (12 with 4 in the flash, $49, free shipment) continued flash without waiting up to 20 shots (Awesome!), also RingFlash... which is a great price of $28 free shipment!

I think I have to hold the ring a little more strait to get full ring power, but it really doesn't matter for that kind of price. I can't wait to test it further :)

11/06/2010 08:34:47 PM · #11

I saw that Q-flash before on Gadget infinity, but after shipping it was more than I wanted to pay. Thanks for the link.

11/06/2010 10:36:50 PM · #12

Little sharper shadows than I expected, however, my tests are not over yet.

11/07/2010 01:28:36 PM · #13

As you can see, the light is not equally distributed in the ring...

It's a virtually shadowless on the object itself...

If the object close the the background, shadows are not as dark as it would be with an overhead flash.

Remember, this Ring-flash is only 28 buck, brand new from eBay, shipping includes in the price. You just can't go wrong.

11/07/2010 02:03:05 PM · #14

So, why did you buy it when you already have that LED ringlight you picked up a few months back?

11/07/2010 02:53:02 PM · #15

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

So, why did you buy it when you already have that LED ringlight you picked up a few months back?

Led light is only good for closeup macros, I think I mentioned that before it doesn't give enough light. This one I purchased for portrait shots. It is not comfortable to shoot macros, kind of heavier. Led light hooks on the lens, and much easier to move any angles and get close more comfortably.

So, they both will be used, and they all in my gear-bag ;)