Canon EOS 400D thoughts and Buying second hand tips.

Tyler138

Tyler138

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Hi,

I have seen a Canon EOS 400d for a good price second hand and was wondering what are peoples thoughts on the camera. I have used a 500d before and love it.

Also any tips for buying second hand cameras, things to look out for, check its working etc...

Thanks

Tyler
 
I've got one, can't fault it really. I've been thinking of upgrading to a 40d but there's not much in it. Very solid well built little camera. Only thing is they're a couple of years old now, so are beginning to lag in terms of sensor performance.For example i tried my mate's 1000d and the photos at iso 800 and 1600 compared to mine were less noisy, but that's a minor issue. You shouldn't be paying more than around £230 for one. Ask for a shutter count - most canon consumer cameras have a recommended 100.000 click shutter life, after which the shutter might need replacing. To put that into perspective i've had mine for a year and put around 4,000 clicks on it. Anything up to around 40,000 is still acceptable. The main thing is that it's a good indication of how much use it's had. If it's got 50,000+ clicks then expect it to come with a few bumps and scratches. Any cracks are a no-no as it means it's probably been dropped.

The only other option in the same price bracket is a second hand 30D, going for around £250 on the classifieds at the moment. less MP but also less noise and higher frames/second. Bigger. If you shoot sports then that's probably worth looking into, otherwise the 400D is a fine camera to get you going.
 
I recently sold my 400d to another TP member, and I loved that camera. Easy to use, with more than enough capability to produce really cracking pictures as my learning continued. I used it with a grip fitted and it felt great in the hand. The ISO handling isn't as good as the xxD offerings I believe, but I accepted that and worked around it. For a while I'd been contemplating a change to a 40 or 50d, but couldn't quite justify whether I'd really notice a huge difference, so I ended up going to a 5d2.
 
Cheers for the replies guy will keep them in mind.


bomberman said:
I've got one, can't fault it really. I've been thinking of upgrading to a 40d but there's not much in it. Very solid well built little camera. Only thing is they're a couple of years old now, so are beginning to lag in terms of sensor performance.For example i tried my mate's 1000d and the photos at iso 800 and 1600 compared to mine were less noisy, but that's a minor issue. You shouldn't be paying more than around £230 for one. Ask for a shutter count - most canon consumer cameras have a recommended 100.000 click shutter life, after which the shutter might need replacing. To put that into perspective i've had mine for a year and put around 4,000 clicks on it. Anything up to around 40,000 is still acceptable. The main thing is that it's a good indication of how much use it's had. If it's got 50,000+ clicks then expect it to come with a few bumps and scratches. Any cracks are a no-no as it means it's probably been dropped.

The only other option in the same price bracket is a second hand 30D, going for around £250 on the classifieds at the moment. less MP but also less noise and higher frames/second. Bigger. If you shoot sports then that's probably worth looking into, otherwise the 400D is a fine camera to get you going.
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Do you have a link to the 30d? cant seem to find it, and think it would be better for me as i would be shooting sports.
 
Hi,

I have a 400d which is hardly used as its my back up camera so just sits in the bag. Its a great camera its just I have a 40D which is my number one baby. The 400D is a great camera, nice and lightweight. I'm going to put my 400D in the classifides later today for £250 if your interested let me know and I'll send you a link.
 
Rivit said:
Hi,

I have a 400d which is hardly used as its my back up camera so just sits in the bag. Its a great camera its just I have a 40D which is my number one baby. The 400D is a great camera, nice and lightweight. I'm going to put my 400D in the classifides later today for £250 if your interested let me know and I'll send you a link.
Click to expand...


Mmmm, ill keep it in mind. Looking about for the 30d.

Does it come with a lens..?
 
My 400D was my first DSLR, bought new 3 years ago. Was great to get back into SLR photography after a period with a compact digital as I had always used film SLRs.

It has served me really well (about 17,000 clicks), including quite a few published shots. As has been said, its not as good as newer tech in poor light but then it depends what you're going to use it for really. I'd carry a tripod if I knew I'd be shooting in the dark so I could do longer exposures using a lower ISO. We're keeping ours for the time being as a back up for the "new" 40D which Mrs_Seth hasn't quite got her head around yet ;)
 
Still got mine, no real complaints with it either 3 yrs later
As already said the newer stuff is better with the higher ISO but for what I use it for it's a cracking bit of kit and will do me for a few more years yet, unless i suddenly get some money:lol::naughty:
 
Tyler138 said:
Mmmm, ill keep it in mind. Looking about for the 30d.

Does it come with a lens..?
Click to expand...

No sorry, I brought it body. When I started using TP i got some great tips from people about not payin out for kit lenses and putting the money into better glass so i saved hard for an L seriers which I used on both the 400D and my 40D so I need to hang on to it. As I say the 400D lives in my bag as a back up at weddings and since I've non planned next year and i'm in serious need of a holiday I've decided I can't afford to have it sitting unused.

Good luck searching.
 
Rivit said:
No sorry, I brought it body. When I started using TP i got some great tips from people about not payin out for kit lenses and putting the money into better glass so i saved hard for an L seriers which I used on both the 400D and my 40D so I need to hang on to it. As I say the 400D lives in my bag as a back up at weddings and since I've non planned next year and i'm in serious need of a holiday I've decided I can't afford to have it sitting unused.

Good luck searching.
Click to expand...

Send me the link anyway when it's up, i may still consider it.
How much would a half decent lens be to start off would you say..?

Thanks

Tyler
 
How much would a half decent lens be to start off would you say..?
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lenses range from anything between £50- £1000's + but a smart choice for you would be the I.S. version of the canon kit lens, the Canon 18-55 IS, which goes for between £60-80 second hand on these forums. Alternatively you could have the non-IS version for around the £40 mark (off here).
 
bomberman said:
lenses range from anything between £50- £1000's + but a smart choice for you would be the I.S. version of the canon kit lens, the Canon 18-55 IS, which goes for between £60-80 second hand on these forums. Alternatively you could have the non-IS version for around the £40 mark (off here).
Click to expand...


Cheers will look around then.

Thanks for all the help guys n girls, very helpful.
Glad i joined the forum

Thanks

Tyler
 
Tyler138 said:
Send me the link anyway when it's up, i may still consider it.
How much would a half decent lens be to start off would you say..?

Thanks

Tyler
Click to expand...

As mark says its worth paying the extra for I.S if you can. It really depends what you do with it as to whether you'd want to go telephoto or not.

My fav is my 24-105mm L series but that set me back £500 second hand. Marks suggestions are all good ones.
 
where did i get Mark from? :lol:

Sorry bomberman.
 
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