Buying a used (D)SLR Camera

[Clifford Automotive]

Im a canon guy.... Go with a 40D

 

Cord Camera 5th Ave. has used equipment. And if you have question they are the place to go.

[TTQ B4U]

Thanks for the replies. I will keep an eye out on craigslist. Cord on 5th has a used 1D Mk2 for 1049.00 body only if anyone is looking.

 

Depending on the condition and frames shot on that body, that's the one to get. I have one I bought used and paid about $1,800 for it. Offer them just under $1k and call it a day. Still one of the best focus systems on a pro body, period.

 

Ehhh... I'll disagree with you on that one. The P&S I was using (Vivitar 8400) .....turned out some real crap if the light was anything other than bright and sunny. Indoor shots had terrible white-balance no matter what settings I used (and sometimes, the same shot two seconds apart had totally different color hues), fast "shutter" speeds were still blurred senseless, and battery life pretty much sucked.

 

IMO it was the brand. Vivitar P&S's are not on my list of even being remotely considered. Panny and Fuji are two of the best all around P&S. Canon too, then Sony.

 

Key is to really know the features and limitations of any camera, especially P&S.

 

Panny is pretty punchy and has good In Camera processing. They also have the best Image Stabilization on a P&S since it's lens-based. Lenses are top notch too. They lead the way with best lens IMO too. Fuji tends to be the low light king, although Panny is catching up. Canon has good color and is well known for lots of features. Sony is a leader in a camera for just about every shape and size hand. They have too many models IMO, but are decent. They are good at most things but not great at anything.

 

Here's a concert shot with a $120 Fuji at ISO 800:

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/97043051/original.jpg

 

Same Camera at the Beach:

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/114222743/original.jpg

 

Here's a sub $200 Panny that's about 4yrs old:

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/114215156/original.jpg

 

Here's a 9yr Old Sony:

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/114232702.jpg/original

But I do still prefer the creamy smooth Bokeh of a decent lens on an SLR:

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/114215162/original.jpg

[944s2]

There are others, but in today's market, yes, Nikon and Canon lead the way. Pentax is coming along but still no where near the others.

 

Traditionally speaking, you'll see more action/sports photogs using Canon, Nikon is used a bit more for Studio/Portrait work. Mainly because of lens selection and metering ability.

 

Nikon is targeting the "Land and Expand" approach of more cost effective bodies. Canon is going for diversification on body choices. Pentax and others that are lagging way behind in sales are trying to push stabilization and other unique identifiers into their bodies.

 

Sony and a couple other traditionally retail/consumer brands are attempting to make a play but are struggling to capture market share.

 

In the end, I'm biased. Stick with the main players, Nikon or Canon. The lens systems solid/proven and they have better sensor and metering technologies. Bodies will come and go, but the "system" you'll be buying into is key. Resale of the top two is killer too so if you upgrade lenses and speedlights down the road, you won't lose.

 

TY For the info....

[hpfiend]

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