Which, cheap, used DSLR?

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spacemutt

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Stephen
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Hello all. I'm currently on the lookout for my first DSLR. I wish money would stretch to something shiny and new, but it's going to have to be second hand. I can stretch up to a measly £200, and for that I'd like to get as good a camera and lens package as possible. Ideally, two lenses to start with, 20-55 ish, 55-200 ish.

What would you reconmend? I'm not going pro, I just want to practice, get better, and take it from there. I still use my 35mm SLR and I'm happy with the results, but I want to be able to click away and not have to worry about processing, etc.

Thank you all for your help, I will value your opinions.
 
Hi Stephen, I am more of a Canon man. But I know the Nikon d40 is highly thought of in the Nikon line up. I would look at mating that with a used 18-55mm VR II and a 55-200mm VR. I would look to try and buy used on ebay. Look out for kit ending at inconvenient times (ie 8.30am Monday) as this tends to be cheaper than kit ending at a convenient time (ie 8pm Sunday)
 
Olympus E510 should be possible on that budget, although the lenses would be equivalent of 28-84mm and 80-300mm (14-42 and 40-150mm kit lenses). IMO a huge leap ahead of the D40, I hated my old one, but I guess it does all depend on what you think feels nice.
 
spacemutt said:
... I can stretch up to a measly £200, ...
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Good luck.

( I tried e-Bay and got an Olympus e-410 & kit lens a couple of years ago. I was lucky : everything working great, pictures great, lens great, camera quick and very lovable. )

I hope you are as lucky.
 
What about a used 20D and a Sigma 28-300? Should be within a hair of your £200 budget (20D's atm are around £125-£135 and I've seen the 28-300 go for £65-£75.

Not the sharpest lens in the world either wide open or 300, but it's good enough to learn, practice and hone your skills with, and a really good allround lens.
 
On eBay look for bundles. Even beter if they are badly listed. You should get what your looking for. I recently got a bundle of a 10d (yes its old) 4 lenes (one being L glass) for £184. All working.

Keep a eye out and good luck.

Another point is look at auctions ending over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Belive it or not some list and don't relise the end date. It brings some realy cheap things.
 
The advice is the same as buying new.

Buy the one that feels most comfortable in your hands, has a control layout and menu system you find the most intuitive, within the budget you have available.

Having said that can you stretch the budget a bit?

The Nikon D40x is a 10MP camera and perfectly satisfactory, although some with larger hands may find it small. Equivalent Canon, Pentax Sony etc will all do the job.

Don't worry about those that may say that a Nikon without a motor in body limits lens choice. There are many AF-S Nikon lenses around at low prices too.

Currys have a good deal on a Sony
brand new

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/alpha-...om-lens-02988657-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-1

All you need is a memory card.
 
go to classified:trade sales and ask Kerso for latest list and see if he still has any brand new Oly E510's left and what price they are..

on the 2nd hand side of things I would go for a Nikon D50/D70s over the D40 as they have motor in body so better scope for cheaper 'D' lenses.


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PsiFox said:
Don't worry about those that may say that a Nikon without a motor in body limits lens choice. There are many AF-S Nikon lenses around at low prices too..
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why not worry about that? have you seen the difference in price of a for EG motored/non motored prime lens?? if buying on a budget it would be one of my first concerns...
 
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I was in your boat and got a D50 for £190, then a tamron 55-200 Di II for £50ish.

The D50 has the AF motor unlike the D40 which means you won't need AF-S lenses (though they do tend to focus faster). The Tamron lens is excellent bang for buck wise but does need the AF motor in the body.

The downsides for me are only 6mp, no grips really and no port for cable release. The D70(s) has the same sensor but uses compact flash (the S has a larger screen) and also has a cable release so might be worth looking at also, especially ones with the 18-70 lens which is better than the 18-55 the D50 comes with.
 
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strumstrum said:
go to classified:trade sales and ask Kerso for latest list and see if he still has any brand new Oly E510's left and what price they are..

on the 2nd hand side of things I would go for a Nikon D50/D70s over the D40 as they have motor in body so better scope for cheaper 'D' lenses.


EDIT:


why not worry about that? have you seen the difference in price of a for EG motored/non motored prime lens?? if buying on a budget it would be one of my first concerns...
Click to expand...

Nikon 18-70 AF-S around £100 on Ebay one of the best consumer lenses they have. Not pricey.
 
There is currently a Samsung GX1S and 18-55 and 55-200 on Preloved website, all boxed mint for £215. Basically a Pentax DS, but not a bad deal really.
 
Thanks for all the input. I shall keep an eye on all the right places and see what comes up. :)
 
350d's not a bad camera, and thats within your price range on ebay
 
Just in case anyone was wondering... I got an old 10D to play with, then upgraded to a 30D. I have a few lenses to play with too, so learning what gives results and what doesn't. :)
 
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