curbzone

Mirage77

My sis's friend is selling it to us cheap. He's a professional photographer and uses the 300D as a backup camera. Now he wants to let it go because he has bought a newer model. It's rarely used and its in spick-spank condition.

What do you guys have to say about the 300D? Any other recommendations I should be looking at besides the 300D? I'm a beginner looking for an affordable, yet good quality DSLR.

Thanks.

notic

how cheap are we talking about here? also, ask him how many pictures he has taken with it (it should show up on the info of the pictures). shutters on slrs wear out over time. is he including any lenses in the deal, and if so what are the specs of the lens?

another entry level camera you can consider is probably the nikon d40. or maybe something from pentax. i've also heard good things about the sony alpha, but that's a little pricier than some entry level models.

..oh and another thing. ask if you can take a test picture with it. take a picture of a blank wall or something with light consistent colour. upload the picture (to a laptop or nearby computer) and examine it for dust or dirt. see if the dirt is on the sensor (on the inside of the camera) or if it is on the lens. if it is on the sensor, insist that he pay for the cleaning fees before selling it to you. nothing is more frustrating that having little specs of dust on an otherwise great capture.

Mirage77

SGD300 dollars. I will ask him the rest of the questions you asked me.

Thanks for the other recommendations. I doubt though that I can get a second hand model of those for this cheap... I'll keep a lookout. The DSLR resale market in Singapore's pretty tiny and only shows up on forums.

Thanks for the headsup man! Will definitely test it out first. Karma for you!

far2000

just got myself a 400d and i must say im impressed...
its very important u choose the right brand now so u can stock up onsome good glass...I think canon gives u about the best quality,Lowlight,Range, choice and relibility out there so u wont go wrong with the 300d, though it mite be quite old as there is a 350 and 400D afterwards......

i think the price is reasonable...

Good luck on ure purchase.

Mirage77

I don't have the financial capacity yet to purchase a 400D.

Thanks for your comments.

Germaniac

I reckon get it. For that sort of money it's a steal, the 300d was a great camera in its day and if what he's saying is true (ie if it's a rarely used backup camera of a professional photographer) then that's pretty much an ideal scenerio as far as a second-hand purchase is concerned.

As you've pointed out too, I'd hazard a guess you'd be hard pressed finding a good second-hand DSLR for that sort of price, especially one that you know (at least with some degree of certainty) has been well looked after. The alternative is something like an as-new Powershot G7 but even an older DSLR like the 300D would be, in my mind, a better purchase.

Goodluck

far2000

On the bright side, if u buy the 300 u got a source to Borrow/steal lenses from..hahaha...or even buy afew 2nd hand ones from him....

notic

if there is no major damage to the camera you are getting a pretty good deal. lens included?

Mirage77

Hey thanks man. I'll be picking it up because he's giving us a very special price and he's getting phone calls from other people too. I can trust him because he's a good friend of my sis.

Lucky for me, my sis has a lens for her SLR! Which I can use.

Lens included but its crap lens, I'll be using my sis's lens as I mentioned above.

Picking it up really soon. Can't wait!

dOmInIX

Hey James, great choice, glade you've purchased it! I wanted to write you a reply few days ago but there was something wrong my computer.
My friend has 300D, I have taken few photos with it and believe me, it's great. It is built quality, it makes very nice photos. Just that it is big but I wouldn't care for that.