Picking up an Entry level DSLR

[omalak]

Decided to pick up an entry level DSLR, my brother (16) is fairly interested in photography, and i re cently broke my 8mp Point and Shoot while taking pictures of my tires lol..

So i figured might as well try the DSLR market.

I'm going to be picking up a Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55mm IS kit lens, found one on kijiji seller was selling for 440 cash, original box and all warranty card and receipt included so i figure warranty wont be an issue, it was used only for a few months.

So what do you camera savvy guys think? Is it as decent price? it's 549.99+ tax at Aden and Blacks.

chime in please :) and i did compare it to the Entry level Nikon (forgot the model) D60 i believe, this just seemed like a better deal.

Thanks

[ElegantGremlin]

One thing to ask: is he including a Compact Flash card with it? I know when I bought my gf one about a year ago (forget which model off-hand, but it was a Canon Rebel) it didn't come with a Compact Flash card so she couldn't use it till she got one.

[bhrm]

XS uses SD cards which are dime a dozen. You can even pick up SD cards at the checkout counter at No Frills.

8 Gig for $25 or 16 for $40.

Its a decent deal. Try for $400.

[kLuMzi]

i got the Sony a200 kit. It was on sale two weeks ago for $499, body + 2 lens (18-70mm + 55-200m)

It's not the best entry level but I'm happy with it. Not bad for a starter DSLR kit :)

EDIT: just realized im off topic! :chuckle

[omalak]

XS uses SD cards which are dime a dozen. You can even pick up SD cards at the checkout counter at No Frills.

8 Gig for $25 or 16 for $40.

Its a decent deal. Try for $400.

I've got a ton of SD cards lying around my house

Considering he had it up for 500 i think i didnt do too bad, with all original packaging included as well

I'm going to go check out the camera tomorrow, is there something i should look out for when checking for abuse or damage?
Although seller listed camera as mint

[ElegantGremlin]

XS uses SD cards which are dime a dozen. You can even pick up SD cards at the checkout counter at No Frills.

8 Gig for $25 or 16 for $40.

Its a decent deal. Try for $400.

Yah, I'm not the camera whiz. I just bought her the one she kept mentioning and it used CF.

[STeeLy]

The XSi uses CF... XS uses SD cards (up to 2 GB)or SDHC cards(anything higher than 2GB)

[omalak]

yeah SD/SDHC

I dont think there is any visible difference between both storage methods when you are going to be using a camera at entry levels.

So decent deal for 440? :pop

[ElegantGremlin]

Knowing my lack of knowledge, I'd say take it. $440 is a good price from what I've seen DSLR camera's priced. But I guess it also depends on how many MP the camera is.

[KenYork]

The XSi uses CF... XS uses SD cards (up to 2 GB)or SDHC cards(anything higher than 2GB)

XS and XSi both use SD/SDHC.

Check out the number of actuations(shots) the camera has taken. Bring a Laptop, take some shots and load them on the computer, sometimes the focus is messed on the camera and is a pain to send to Canon to fix(2-3months time). If you can borrow a good working lens from a friend to test the camera.

[STeeLy]

Sorry... It's the XT and XTi that uses CF...

I have the 400D which is the XTi

[Iceman_F1]

Decided to pick up an entry level DSLR, my brother (16) is fairly interested in photography, and i re cently broke my 8mp Point and Shoot while taking pictures of my tires lol..

So i figured might as well try the DSLR market.

I'm going to be picking up a Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55mm IS kit lens, found one on kijiji seller was selling for 440 cash, original box and all warranty card and receipt included so i figure warranty wont be an issue, it was used only for a few months.

So what do you camera savvy guys think? Is it as decent price? it's 549.99+ tax at Aden and Blacks.

chime in please :) and i did compare it to the Entry level Nikon (forgot the model) D60 i believe, this just seemed like a better deal.

Thanks

Pretty good deal yes...however the XS is more like the Nikon D40, not the D60. At least from when I was looking that was the case. Or at least the D40 is entry level. D60 is a bit higher.

[KenYork]

Pretty good deal yes...however the XS is more like the Nikon D40, not the D60. At least from when I was looking that was the case.

No comparison between the XS and D40... XS is far more advanced. The D40 is compared to the origional Digital Rebel and Rebel XT. The XS and the D60 are the bottom feeders of the current market(for the two companies).

I think you should check out the Olympus E-520 package (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=BDL10001647&catid=24394#) from Bestbuy currently on sale for $599. 10mp DSLR with built in image stabilization in the body. Comes with a 14-42mm and a 40-150mm lens.

Buying any DSLR is good. Which one you buy depends on lots of factors, Brand preference, options, prices & availability of lenses, comfort&weight of camera in hand, ability to borrow lenses from friends(this is why I bought Canon, for the lenses I can borrow. I've always felt Nikon's were more comfortable in my hands).

[omalak]

XS and XSi both use SD/SDHC.

Check out the number of actuations(shots) the camera has taken. Bring a Laptop, take some shots and load them on the computer, sometimes the focus is messed on the camera and is a pain to send to Canon to fix(2-3months time). If you can borrow a good working lens from a friend to test the camera.

Thanks for the tips!

I just looked at the Olympus you linked, good deal at 599, but i'm trying to budget myself to as cheap as possible really. I dont really have friends with cameras and i know the top 2 players in the market are pretty much Nikon and Canon.

And i guess if i need to at a later point their are a varity of lenses available for both canon and nikon.

i'll take a laptop and test it out :)

[Iceman_F1]

Hmmm....maybe it was the XT I was thinking of then...Oh well, Canon's are pretty good regardless. I just like the D60 over the XS in terms of body style, button location & screen options better.

[STeeLy]

on the topic of DSLR... any one want my cheap ass Tripod?

[ElegantGremlin]

on the topic of DSLR... any one want my cheap ass Tripod?

Cheap price, or cheap quality?

[STeeLy]

Cheap Quality, but I'll end up giving it away... I've used it with my DSLR alright, a little wobbly... but if someone has a Point and shoot, it works pretty good with one of those.

[boogie]

I believe the XS was going for $400 around boxing day from both FS & BB. You might want to try for a lower price.

[KenYork]

I believe the XS was going for $400 around boxing day from both FS & BB. You might want to try for a lower price.

$499+tax. with bonus bag and accessories. RJ3, is that correct?

[omalak]

doubt i can get it for 400

i know the earlier XS were sold without an IS lens.. i think afterwards the started shipping it with an IS lens.. i dont know when they did this though

anyhow i check out the camera tomorrow hopefully everything checks out ok

[boogie]

$499+tax. with bonus bag and accessories. RJ3, is that correct?

Came w/ the grip too right?

[omalak]

I thnk it did come with a grip.. but that was a good boxing day deal.. damn it lol

btw what is a grip :blush

[stormin84]

yeah SD/SDHC

I dont think there is any visible difference between both storage methods when you are going to be using a camera at entry levels.



you will notice a difference if you go with the SDHC verus the normal SD
(takes pictures faster/saving the picture to the card after taking a picture)

i suggest you go with the SDHC, future shop usually has them on sale

[JashiK]

Battery grip. I believe this one is for the Canon Xsi, but works for the Xs too.
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoDSLRAccessories/236142/canon-bge5-battery-grip-for-eos-rebel-xsi.aspx

[ZeroChalk]

I thnk it did come with a grip.. but that was a good boxing day deal.. damn it lol

btw what is a grip :blush

An attachment that allows the camera to hold multiple batteries to shoot more. Don't really need it for casual shooting as one battery is usually good enough.

[JashiK]

Yes it does hold an extra battery, but main fuction is when taking verticle pictures u don't have to hold it awkwardly and you still have access to all buttons i.e. shutter, iso and etc...

[bhrm]

An attachment that allows the camera to hold multiple batteries to shoot more. Don't really need it for casual shooting as one battery is usually good enough.

on smaller cameras like the XS and XSi it helps with ergonomics.

I tried using the XSi with a 17-55 f2.8 IS for 4 hours I was not happy.

The olympus two lens deal is a great deal for $600. The lenses by themselves are worth at least $100-150 each. The body, E-520 is pretty good.

If you want anything cheaper, a great choice would be the Nikon D70 for $200ish, I've seen 20D's float $300-400.

[JMAK74]

Yes it does hold an extra battery, but main fuction is when taking verticle pictures u don't have to hold it awkwardly and you still have access to all buttons i.e. shutter, iso and etc...

Added benefit of a battery grip is depending on how big your hands are - the grip usually adds a bit more 'area' to hold the camera with in landscape orientation - reduces cramping when you're pinky swing's under the camera - IMHO the rebel series is very small for my hands so a grip is a must. I have the 40D and got the grip.

[omalak]

Well i ended up picking up the Canon Rebel XS over the weekend.

Cost 440 seller used it since december.. i couldnt figure out how to tell how many actuations were done on it lol.. But it's in grat shape looks totally mint.

Came with all manuals cd's box cables, receipt warranty card and even an 8gb sdhc card. I'm a happy camper!

Now... just got to lern how to use it :chuckle


Thanks for the input everyone.. hopefully i can finally put some nice pics of my ride up now!

[SL3VIN]

i got the Sony a200 kit. It was on sale two weeks ago for $499, body + 2 lens (18-70mm + 55-200m)

It's not the best entry level but I'm happy with it. Not bad for a starter DSLR kit :)

EDIT: just realized im off topic! :chuckle

picked up a alpha 200 last year... im happy with it as of now... pretty good entry level DSLR

[kid_icarus]

i believe the Sony Alpha 300 is on sale this week at Blacks for $499.99

i might jump on this one