Canon 1000D

[Fabolous]

Hey guys, looking into finally stepping up and getting a DSLR before I head over to Europe. My budget is a limiting factor, $1500 AT MOST including lenses, cases, memory cards etc.

There's a deal at Harvey Norman (http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/computers/index.php) for the 1000D with 2 lenses for around $1200. Firstly what are general opinions about the 1000D (i.e. is it an old model due to be upgraded soon so HN is trying to get rid of them?), and any other suggestions for cameras (with prices) would be great.

I could probably search around and find the information I'm looking for but it's much easier to ask people already in the know. Cheers.

/edit also the Sony Alpha 350, on special for $1300 with two lenses (18-70 & 55-200) and extra battery and bag...

[Moppie]

Remember your buying into a system, if your at all serious that will mean flashes, lenses, etc later on.

So far there are only 2 really serious and complete systems, Canon and Nikon.
So forget about the Sony, unless your only half serious, and just want a nice camera that takes nice photos.


The 1000D is a great place to start, as is the entry level Nikon which is usually around the same price.

Go into Harvery Normans and have a play with both, then go to Pro Gear or Auckland Camera and buy the one you like the most.

[talan]

hi harry im replying from mobile. I would get 450d over 1000d. 1000d is pretty much a 400d with live view. 450d imo is a bit nicer. Also if you use for general walkaround then i doubt you will use the long tlephto much. Not very sharp and 1 extra lense to carry. Get single kit lens and get ef 50mm f1.8. Cheap lens but good value under $200 new. Happy shopping!

[tainted creative]

hi harry im replying from mobile. I would get 450d over 1000d. 1000d is pretty much a 400d with live view. 450d imo is a bit nicer. Also if you use for general walkaround then i doubt you will use the long tlephto much. Not very sharp and 1 extra lense to carry. Get single kit lens and get ef 50mm f1.8. Cheap lens but good value under $200 new. Happy shopping!
When I was buying my DSLR I was tossing up between the 1000d and the 450d, researched them both quite extensively I think the 1000d is quite plastic fantastic too if I remember but don't quote me on that.
I ended up going with the 450d anyway twin lens kit from dick smiths on sale $1500 bargain I thought but yes the telephoto lens is a bit hopeless I've find.

[Fabolous]

I've owned only sony point and shoot cameras untill now but after some searching around I think I'll stick to the "big" 2 companies. My dad has had good experience wiht canon and the 40D, 400 and 450D seem to be recommended a lot. I'm looking around for a 450D, there's a kit at paralell imported for $1200 for D450 and 18-55 lens. Now to do some lens research...

[Moppie]

, there's a kit at paralell imported for $1200 for D450 and 18-55 lens. Now to do some lens research...


Avoid Paralell imported!

Totaly shit, imoral and unethical bunch of laying bastards.
The lowest of the low, they tried to be used car dealers but wern't honest enough.

[NikonF4s]

Avoid Paralell imported!

Totaly shit, imoral and unethical bunch of laying bastards.
The lowest of the low, they tried to be used car dealers but wern't honest enough.

how so?

[Moppie]

how so?


They got in trouble a couple of years ago for selling stolen 350Ds.
The camera's were stolen from a container in Asia, and then about 100 showed up at Paralell imported. They sold them well below rrp.
Canon found out when the cameras started breaking, customers sent them direct to Canon to be repaired.
Canon NZ noticed that the serial number tags on the bottom of the camera didn't look right, investiaged further and found they were fake. The numbers in the cameras firmware matched the numbers of the cameras stolen in asia.

Paralell imported didn't give a damn when told about the problem, and kept selling the stolen cameras. It took court action from Canon to have them pulled from the market.
Canon will not service the stolen cameras either. I was in there service dept when one of thier senior service techs had to explain to a customer that his new camera was stolen, and because of that could not be fixed. He needed to take it back to Paralell imported and get them to deal with it.


They have terriable service history as well, and will do anything they can to get out of repairing, exchanging, or refuding faulty goods.
I know several people who have taken them before the small claims court to get resolution, and then had to wait months for the refund or repair to occur.

Buying anything from there is a gamble, you don't know where it has come from, what the after sales support will be like or if it is even genuine.

[NikonF4s]

i bought my first digital SLR from them waaaaay back in 2003, and had no issues. In saying that, when you take into account what you just said I'd say its best to avoid them.
I only buy gear through Apix, never retail if i can help it. Shit, if anything craps out, they offer to lend you gear in the meantime. Can't complain about that.

[Fabolous]

oh true thanks for the info, I can always take there price to another retailer to see if they can match, or at least try to match, their price...

[talan]

If you dont get something by tommorow you should drop by the meet and im sure David can let you have a play with his 450D with a 50mm f/1.8 also.

[keriboi]

for more info on the parallel importers

http://www.canon.co.nz/about/press_room/story_1530.html

[smurff]

ill be at the meet aswell, so you can compare to the sony aswell lol, the clear unfavoured camera of the site :P

-smurff

[Redal]

If you are after a Canon camera system, id personally go for a 20/30/40d over any 400/450/500d .
With Canon they dumb down there cameras, the X00d series focus is half as good as the X0d series, and the X0d series is half as good as the 1 series system.
You can pick up a 20/30d for about $600-700 and that leaves more money on glass.

[Fabolous]

hmm but the 40D is like $4-$500 more expensive than the 450D. and that blows my budget. Is the 40D really worth it? I know someone working at JB HI FI and he can get me a twin lens 450D kit for around $1600. I'll try and stick to one lens but sub in an extra battery, case and storage card...

[keriboi]

trademe, go second hand! dont get the twin lens.
a second hand 20D/30D/40D/ will kick a 450D's

[christofurr]

If your coming from a point and shoot world, you'll be over the moon with anything really. My one word of advice is unless you see yourself really needing a big telephoto while you're away, avoid the twin lens kits.

My mate bought a 400D twin lens kit before we went to Nepal late last year and we were both pretty appalled with the quality of the image from the telephoto. The 17-55 is a good lens to get you started, and really does cover a majority of travel photography unless your style leads otherwise.

[tomberkley]

Totally understand you are on a budget but you need to think about is that the price is an investment and a $200 less from PI isn't worth it. If you are serious about getting a slr the extra $200 give or take is really worth it. I agree with Talan go for the 50mm 1.8 its a really good place to start, stay away from the twin kits, having more lenses doesn't necessarily mean you will get better shots. And for the price ( under 200) it will free you up to get the body you want.
i have a 40d its a nice camera, its my first slr and it ticks all the boxes for me. got it for $1560+18-55mm
Hope this helps
Tom

[wirehunt]

Forget the twin lense thing. The lense on my camera most of the time? 50mm 1.8. When I get a full frame camera I'll be buying something around that 70mm in a prime lense, it's just so useful. Back in the day's when we had full frame already, oh wait, we've progressed from there :o I had two bodies, one had a 28-85 on it all the time it was such a handy lense. The other was swapped about a bit with lenses. that 17-55 would be very compareable so would probably make a very handy walk about kit for you.

[tainted creative]

I just picked up the canon 50mm 1.8 lens today and have already tried it out, for the price it's excellent value for money. So I now have the twin lens kit and this but really the telephoto is crap and I'll probably get rid of it. Took this shot of my newborn niece today just testing it out.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs132.snc1/5651_239346470318_682895318_8102023_8058755_n.jpg

[keriboi]

the 50mm is best around f5.6, looking at that shot maybe f2.8?

[tainted creative]

Could have been I've no idea, I shall remember that I'll be visiting her again tommorow so will see what results I get with a bit of practice.

[Fabolous]

thanks guys, well considering everything and reading a boat load of reviews on the net I'm leaning towards the 450D. And also I'm avoiding Parallel since they don't offer international manufacturers warranty with the camera - so that leaves JB HI FI, which only offers the twin lens kit. If I were to choose a second lens I would go for the EF-S 50mm f/1.8, cause I will probably shoot a fair few portraits in low-light, indoor conditions. So maybe I can sell the telephoto lens which comes with the kit and buy the 50mm lens... do you guys think there is a market for the 80-250mm lens?? if so how much would I be looking at selling it for?

[Redal]

I guess we should have asked, what type of photography will you be trying to capture with your new camera? How large are you going to print your photos?

I see you have a budget of $1500
If what you want to shoot moves faster than walking, id go for a 20d/30d + a 50f1.8 + 100-300f5.6 , you can all these for about $1300 off trademe.
If you are going to shoot mainly landscapes , any body would do, then you want a quite a good lens . Maybe a 400d and tamron 17-50f2.8 both for about $1400

If you are getting a camera for travelling around europe , id look at getting something like a Canon G9 or G10, the g10 has a slightly wider lens , both are great cameras

[Spacemunkie]

As usual in these sorts of threads, you'll get about a million different opinions. Here's mine :D

ANY Canon DSLR from the past 2-3 years will be more than enough camera for you. Rebels (450D etc) are excellent bodies. The 1000D might look a bit cheap, but the guts are almost identical to the 400D - a very capable camera (with almost identical IQ to a 40D up to 800 ISO)

The twin lens kit is also a good buy. The 18-55 IS and the 55-250 IS are both capable lenses with good reputations. I bought a 55-250 for the mrs and have tested it pretty extensively. It's a great lens for the money. Add a cheap fifty for low light and you're good I reckon. I'd have no issues about sticking any of those lenses on my cameras.

Check these threads out for examples:

55-250 IS
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459569&page=120

18-55 IS
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=445986&page=33

There's always much gnashing of teeth over gear. Truth is that what's behind the camera is more important! ;)

[Fabolous]

thanks for the input guys, ended up getting a 450D with 18-55 kit lens. Been playing with it for a couple of days, will post pics when I actually get good with it :P

[talan]

thanks for the input guys, ended up getting a 450D with 18-55 kit lens. Been playing with it for a couple of days, will post pics when I actually get good with it :P
(Y) Glad our input helped :D

[Spacemunkie]

thanks for the input guys, ended up getting a 450D with 18-55 kit lens. Been playing with it for a couple of days, will post pics when I actually get good with it :P

Good choice - great camera! I used to really like my kit lens. Got some shots that I still consider to be among my best with it. Have fun ;)