Pawn/trade shops - any tips for a checklist?

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RobPowell

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Sooo I have about £200, maybe a bit more, to spend on a second hand camera with lens. I've seen some bargains on ebay, but hate the thought of the post knackering it!

Of course we all want a £1000 camera for £50, I appreciate I won't get much bang for buck, but often see DSLR cameras in local pawn shops.

Knowing very little about DSLR cameras, how to check for dust on the lens etc, is there any good way of judging a book by the cover? I'm just wanting to know if there's anything mindnumbingly simple I should avoid or any simple tests to perform?

I'd appreciate some advice, so thankyou in advance :)
 
The only cameras I've seen in the pawnshops round here tended to be vastly over-priced, I'd suggest taking a look at MPB Photographic (link at the top of the Talk Equipment section) , they'll be able to sort you out something for £200 and it will have a warranty....
 
Seconded.
Personally I would chance ebay or use MPB over going anywhere near a pawn shop!
 
I see quite a few entry-level Sony and Olympus DSLR kits (uusally twin lens kits for some reason) in the windows of Cash Converters and the like. A couple of years ago pretty much every pawn/loan shop window had at least one Nikon D40 but these have dried up. Prices tend to be high compared with Ebay, and the staff haven't the experience or interest to know if everything works as it shoud. Generally, the kit looks to be low usage but it's almost always whatever was the cheapest new about 6-12 months ago. Bought cheap, "*** it's a D-S-L-R innit?" and sold once the interest waned.

You might get a bargain, but I doubt it.
 
Welcome to the forum Rob. Looking at MPB you could get a 1000D, a 450D or a 30D for just over £200, but thats without a lens. Personally, I'd save up a bit more and start with with something like the above and add a kit lens for another £40-50. You could have a look on ebay for something similar but you have no warranty with those or one from a pawn shop.
 
Yes agree, stay away from pawn shops. Go to a reputable dealer or keep an eye on the classifieds here. Also you could post in the 'wanted' section on TP, you never know what may turn up.
I did buy my first camera a Canon 400D plus len from ebay, in th end it turned out ok but i did have a scary moment when I thought the seller had disappeared! So I would err on the side of caution as far as ebay goes...

Good luck!
 
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