Best time to buy kit?

Mentalblock

Mentalblock

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Neil
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While I’ve had a ‘bridge’ camera for a couple of years, it’s only been the last few months that I’ve had time to really get into the hobby. From these last few months, I know that I’m going to like togging and now want to upgrade to something of mid/ enthusiast level rather than entry or pro level.

Money (or is it the wife) wont let me buy right now, which is fine as I have no intention of making a rush decision anyway. As I have time on my hands, and still have lots to learn with my ‘bridge’ camera, I’m wondering if there is a best time to buy.

For example, do January sales have good deals for enthusiast level equipment?
Do togs upgrade kit more in any one season/ time of year and thus second hand equipment is possibly more available and cheaper? Or is it what I suspect and there is no real difference through the year!
 
tomorrow :P
on a serious note, there might be reductions before christmas, there might not. Who knows!
 
When my credit card offers me 0% on purchases for 12 months :D
 
Best time to buy ?
As soon as funds and stock are available at the same time !!
I'm being serious, to delay for me means someone else has a *need* for the cash.
 
trevorbray said:
Best time to buy ?
As soon as funds and stock are available at the same time !!
I'm being serious, to delay for me means someone else has a *need* for the cash.
Click to expand...

I'm with Trevor on this one;)
 
bought my Nikon D300 in Sept. 2008 when prices where at there lowest fro some time. By Oct. the price had risen by close to 200stg.
 
For Japanese companies equipment ...

Bodies seem to be very competative market and prices are fought locally (I can oly assume that the OEM's are willing to use these as loss leaders), but for lenses etc most Japanese companies set exchange rates annualy, in January. This is why prices took a hike at the start of this year. I would hope that the yen is weaker by the end of this year, then exchange rate will be set more favourably for 2011, but not looking too good so far.
For info, I also check lens prices in Japan (Yodabashi and Akihabara) and prices are exactly the same as UK official, again due to exchange rate.
One thing that does seem to be good value in Japan is second user high end and pro bodies, most Japanese always "must have" the latest, example 1D MKIII used in Yodabashi at the moment for £1000 at current exchange rate.

One of the few advantages off working for a Japanese company !
 
When you see the right model for you. There is talk of a D90 replacement, so if the D90 was one for you (it is a stunning camera and unless the new one has some super new features, is far from out of date) then hang on... although the replacement is a rumour!!!

I upgrade whenever I have the money and I see the right thing, so in answer to your question, any time is good!
 
Just after christmas if you use ebay, loads of people get brought gifts they dont want, and they end up on ebay completely untouched. For most the year the price balances out in accordance with rrps, but after christmas theres normally so many that prices are driven down for a couple of weeks.
 
Agree about when a new model comes out replacing something that's still very useable

Maybe the Nikon D90 as mentioned earlier or just as likely the Canon 50D, both must be due a replacement soon

Although the street price of the Canon 500D hasn't dropped that much since the 550D appeared, maybe about 50 quid which is still only about 10% of its pre 550D cost

Also look out for cashback deals from the manufacturers although adverts in magazines tend to include that in their headline grabbing price.

Personally think the Pentax K-x is the best value around at the moment for a top end entry level camera, something like 430 quid for body and kit lens
 
tijuana taxi said:
Agree about when a new model comes out replacing something that's still very useable

Maybe the Nikon D90 as mentioned earlier or just as likely the Canon 50D, both must be due a replacement soon

Although the street price of the Canon 500D hasn't dropped that much since the 550D appeared, maybe about 50 quid which is still only about 10% of its pre 550D cost

Also look out for cashback deals from the manufacturers although adverts in magazines tend to include that in their headline grabbing price.

Personally think the Pentax K-x is the best value around at the moment for a top end entry level camera, something like 430 quid for body and kit lens
Click to expand...

£399 around where i live!
 
Koolpc said:
£399 around where i live!
Click to expand...

£399 seems to be the going rate for the body and 18-55 lens.

The twin lens kits are probably even better value if you have the extra cash. I got a 2 lens kit (18-55 and 55-300) for £530 but you can get the smaller zoom twin kit (18-55 & 50-200) for £450 from currys or dixons.
 
Even better value now then, can't see that being beaten at the price and the kit lens is a good'un too
 
unlike the rest of us . we are pretty much stuck with our brand.
my advice is to go to a good camera shop and see how they feel in your hand and try them.

Cheers Steve
 
Best time to buy is when you have funds available that aren't needed (and won't be needed) for other, more important things.
 
I find with money it's best to spend it quick before the wife finds another use for it.
 
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