Anything wrong with 'old' dSLRs?

R

roblerner

Messages
3
Name
Robin
Edit My Images
No
Hello all.

So I need to get a camera and I'm torn between a high end 'compact' like a Lumix LX5 or a starter dSLR. My budget is absolute max of £300, the less the better.

I used to own a 350D before it got stolen, and looking at prices on ebay they seem to be a good deal with a body+kit going for ~£120-150. Add £80 for a basic zoom lens and I've got something much more versatile than the highest end compacts, right? I'm going to live in Africa in May, so a zoom might be an advantage for wildlife etc.

Also the prices of the 30D seem pretty low - any major advantages over the 350D, or particular reason why they're so cheap?

Thanks for the advice
 
The 30D is a much better body to use... ie the ergonomics of it are better, it's a better built tougher body with spot metering and a bigger screen. I had both at the same time and the 350 rarely got used.
 
had to use my 350d for a few weeks while my normal rig was off getting fixed. Had forgotten how good the shots it produces are!. Accesories are cheap as chips from the 'bay, go for it i say :). You can always upgrade later if you get the bug!
 
Nothing wrong with old cameras, just they don't pack as much features as new ones does. Something like 30D does not have Live View (killer for most people who switch from P&S to DSLR) etc... I still use my 30D and don't really feel the need to upgrade yet.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm watching about a million 30Ds and 350Ds now! Any particular recommendations for lenses? I'd like a telephoto and a prime...any particular model to look out for second hand?

Like I say I used to have a 350D with kit, telephoto and some cheap 35mm prime (can't remember the make now) and seemed like plenty of camera to keep me happy :)

Thanks petersmart, but the price seems a fair bit higher than others around (it may well be in better condition than most ebay specials or something, but I'm just going to throw it around anyway).
 
Second hand is the way to go if you on a budget - new "starter" DSLRs have a lot of advanced "features" but at they end of the day they are built like plastic toys.

Buying second hand lets you pay the same but get a decent quality metal rather than flimsy plastic body in many cases.
 
If you're lumping it around Africa (lucky chap!) then a 30D plus lenses would seem a much more sensible choice than a 350D. As well as being much better built with more features and higher frame rate, it also has a much better LCD on the back which could be important in bright sunlight.
 
I've yet to buy a NEW camera! I quite like buying used, usually cheaper and as long as you're careful with what you buy it should be okay!
 
I'm getting along with a Canon 300D and a Canon 1D mark 1, both under 7mp, and i think i've got some pretty good shots with them. I have also been published with my 300D :)
 
I don't think there's much wrong with the picture quality of older bodies, only things I don't like are the prices, and small displays.

Prices of older kit seems fairly high, I've seen D40 kits going for around the £200 mark, with the Nikon cashback offer I didn't pay an awful lot more than that for a brand new one back in 2008. But I guess prices are dictated by demand...
 
I still use my D80 as my main camera - I get perfectly good shots with it. Of course I'd like something bigger, flashier and more expensive - but every time I think like that, I just remember that in the main, the D80 does everything I'd like. My only gripe is the poor performance at high ISO levels, which often frustrates me at sports events.

For studio work and other general photography, I've never had a problem with it - and you can pick up a second-hand one for around £350 now.

Edit - Grays of Westminster actually now sell D80 bodies for £275...
 
Last edited:
Nothing inherently wrong with old DSLR bodies, they were state of the art when new.

If you're currently using a bang up to date body, and then move to using an older body (which the OP isn't), then sure, you'll notice a difference in terms of functions, small screen, probably no live view, lack of usable high ISO, etc, However, the results will be fine, unless you want to print really big and run out of resolution, but that's a whole new topic......
 
Nothing wrong with old cameras! I'd love to have another D50 now :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top