Buying A Camera

[d-d]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking around in the photography section for a while and have finally decided to get a new camera since i may have some spare money left over from xmas.

I have read the reviews in the other thread of the camera's you guys have, but would like a personal opinion of which camera you feel is the best at the moment under the $2000 mark. (Thats my absolute maximum price. So, the lower the price; the better )

I know people have different ideals and needs for what they want the camera to do for them specifically; however i recently only came onto the photography scene so a little guidance would be much appreciated.

My good mate bought a Canon 300D earlier this year, so theres my starting block. A camera with similar or better features than that.

Also, i do NOT mind if the camera is one or two models old now, nor do i mind if its second hand. As long as it takes the photos i'd like to be able to take - then im a happy man Bascially - think of what you'd want your camera to do - and ill probably want to do that too at some stage!

For example, i currently work out at a coal mine for Rio Tinto and would love to take some photos of the grunge, dirty coal washing plant and maybe even get a nighttime photoshoot of the sklyine in with a coal pit as the background.

Thanks for any reccomendations guys,

Dave.

[The Baron]

A mate of mine recently got the 8MP Canon 350D (which replaces the 300D) and is extremely happy with it. I have a 20D which is fantastic and would recommend Canon to all comers

To compare the best site is www.dpreview.com

[d-d]

Alright - ill check that site out now.

Thanks for the heads-up.

[Mr. Oizo]

Canon 350D or Nikon D50

Stay away from Olympus.

If you're after a real bargain, have a look at the Pentax *ist-DS

In general, stick to Canon and Nikon because they have a huge range of lenses available at good prices, whereas the less used brands either cost a lot more or there isn't enough of a range available.

It's too hard to just give a price range and say what camera is good.

Look through dpreview.com and choose 2 or 3, then I'm sure there are a few people that can give you the ups and downs of those particular cameras.

[d-d]

The Canon 350D is looking the best so far...

It seems to suit what i need from a camera the most.

Now just hunting for the best price going around!!

-Dave.

[Mr. Oizo]

The Canon 350D is looking the best so far...

It seems to suit what i need from a camera the most.

Now just hunting for the best price going around!!

-Dave.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Best price = ebay

[FriniK]

ive got both 300d and 350d, my mate has a 20d, got the 580ex flash, 420ex, 17-40mm L series, 50mm f1.8 30mm f1.4 70-300 and my stock 18-55 is busted ..its a shame coz its got the best range altho picture quality isnt so good with the stock lens. anyway, 350D is a brilliant camera ...does just about everything the 20d does. Only real reason why id get the 20d is for durability, looks more pro too .. ...300D was good in its day for sub $2k for digi slr but after using the 350 the 300 just seems so slow and cumbersome now ...

my 2c

[Mr. Oizo]

ive got both 300d and 350d, my mate has a 20d, got the 580ex flash, 420ex, 17-40mm L series, 50mm f1.8 30mm f1.4 70-300 and my stock 18-55 is busted ..its a shame coz its got the best range altho picture quality isnt so good with the stock lens.  anyway, 350D is a brilliant camera ...does just about everything the 20d does.  Only real reason why id get the 20d is for durability, looks more pro too .. ...300D was good in its day for sub $2k for digi slr but after using the 350 the 300 just seems so slow and cumbersome now ...

my 2c

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After using a 300d, I would never recommend it to anyone.

[MR R32]

I bought the 350D twin lens kit 2 days ago. Basically you get the standard EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II standard zoom lens as well as a EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens.

The telephoto lens is awesome, and for the price you pay, it can't be beaten.

Here are some sample pics from my first attempts.

Edited December 31, 2005 by MR R32

[aussie_tul]

I love Canon, so i cheer 350D.

[d-d]

Yep - i decided to get the 350D.

So thanks to all that helped with useful comments. T'was greatly appreciated!

-Dave.

[simplelogik]

Yep - i decided to get the 350D.

So thanks to all that helped with useful comments. T'was greatly appreciated!

-Dave.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great choice !!!

Make sure you get the 50mm F1.8 as well !!!

Also for cheap zoom lens, nothing perform better than the Sigma 70-300 APO DG for ~$300. Or if you have a bit more cash get the Sigma 70-200 EX DG F2.8 for about $1200. Fantastic lens !!

[Silver-Arrowz]

Great choice !!!

Make sure you get the 50mm F1.8 as well !!!

Also for cheap zoom lens, nothing perform better than the Sigma 70-300 APO DG for ~$300. Or if you have a bit more cash get the Sigma 70-200 EX DG F2.8 for about $1200. Fantastic lens !!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have the Sigma 70-200mm lens? Got any pic samples? I'm keen on the lens. Thanks!

[simplelogik]

Do you have the Sigma 70-200mm lens? Got any pic samples? I'm keen on the lens. Thanks! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just got it recently haven't had the chance to test it out properly yet. But it's a lot BIGGER and HEAVIER than I had originally anticipated.

[d-d]

Great choice !!!

Make sure you get the 50mm F1.8 as well !!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks - yep, ill look into that right now!

-Dave.

[d-d]

Just concerning the purchasing of the camera....

Have any of you guys every bought from these dealers that ship direct from Hong kong to Australia on eBay?

Their prices are cheaper than the canon 350D's stocked in Australia, however the is always the possibility of an import tax (up to $500?).

So my question is, have you ever bought your camera from an overseas seller & did it get an import taxing or not..?

As an example - this is what im looking at (Canon 350D)

Cheers,

Dave.

[danh]

i bought myself a 20D for christmas, after saving for 2 years after my 500n got stolen.

both the 20D and 350 are awesome cameras.

i would have rather saved some cash and got the 350D but i liked the feel of the 20d plus a couple of little things like the display in the viewfinder that i personally cant shoot without

[simplelogik]

Just concerning the purchasing of the camera....

Have any of you guys every bought from these dealers that ship direct from Hong kong to Australia on eBay?

Their prices are cheaper than the canon 350D's stocked in Australia, however the is always the possibility of an import tax (up to $500?).

So my question is, have you ever bought your camera from an overseas seller & did it get an import taxing or not..?

As an example - this is what im looking at (Canon 350D)

Cheers,

Dave.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I originally thought about purchasing the camera from HK, but in the end was against the idea and purchased the (body) 350D+kit lens locally in Australia. Having said that I purchased all my lenses/accessories from HK, the Canon 50mm 1.8 MkII, Sigma 70-300 APO DG, EF-500 DG Super, Tamron 28-75 F2.8 Di, Sigma 70-200mm F2.8, wireless timer, bunch of filters. You'll save heaps on the lenses, but the cost of the body is quite competitive in Australia. I got my body+lens for $1350 in Sept last year.

BTW, the import limit is $1000 not $500. Even with the 70-200mm which was slightly over $1K, I managed to dodged import duty.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376

[d-d]

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many thanks for that link!!!!

Yeah - by the looks of it ill purchase my camera locally in Australia too.

[danh]

dont forget if you buy overseas you won't get warranty...