Beginners DSLR - New or Secondhand??

jimjamuk

jimjamuk

jimjamuk

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Morning all,

Would like to get myself a DSLR and was wonder on these two options. Basically dont want to spend too much but should I buy

New - the Canon 1100D / Nikon D3100?

or buy something second hand which would be a bit older but in its day midrange say

Canon EOS30D or something equivilent in the Nikon range??

Would like to use it for the usual family snaps plus some hooking it up to my telescope etc

Just trying to work out if the latest entry cameras are better than an older midrange camera??
 
Well stuff like the 30d will lose out to the newer low budget cameras anyday. You have to remember that the 30D is really really old and simply wont compete even on budget terms with the modern stuff.

If you could find a 50D for a good price then that might be worth a look.
 
Thanks - I'm not sure how old some of these cameras are - it was a quick look on LCE that made me think of a 2nd hand one. I'll keep an eye out for a D50 and see what they are going for. Otherwise I'm sure the current entry level cameras will get a price reduction before or after Xmas
 
Going 2nd hand is a good idea but not always the best for beginners if you don't know how to test the camera. I also wouldn't go too far back because then you get a camera with worse image quality and worse features than a newer entry level camera. For a long time now the main manufacturers have used the same/similar sensors throughout their APS-C lineup and have pushed the focusing and metering of higher end models down to lower end models.

However, With the canon side 10 years ago they were the world leaders in sensor performance but they haven't improved their APS-C sensor performance much at all in that time, merely adding more megapixels. Shadow noise, dynamic r age,high ISO. Noise, colour depth are basically indistinguishable across all APS-C models from the 350D up. This does mean you can pick up an earlier model and produce. Images that are essentially identical to what you would get with a brand new 70D today, but with less resolution. You will get better features with newer cameras, better LCD, video for example. Depending on what you shoot this May or may not make a difference.

For my kind of work (nature, architecture, still life) on the canon side with budget I would look at a second hand 400D/450D/500D/40/50D etc. I wouldn't see the point in the newer or higher end Canon APS-C bodies but would love a Canon 5Dmk3 for example.
On Nikon I would look at a new d3200, D5200, D5300, D7100 if budget stretches. Looking second hand Nikon d5100, d7000
 
D.P's post is spot on imo. There are some great prices to be had on second hand Canon kit but if you're just starting out and budget is a consideration for £260 the 1100d inc kit lens would be my choice (not a Nikon shooter so can't comment on their bodies). Its shiny and new, gets solid reviews and being new you get the peace of mind of a 12 month warranty.

I've still got my 40d which i've had from new (2008) and if i did upgrade (which i'm considering at the moment) it would just be for features, not image quality which i can't fault on mine. The 50d would have a better rear screen + mf adjustment, the 60d loses the mf adjustment but has video and flipout screen (useful for macro), and the 70d has all the good stuff of the 50 & 60d plus some features of the 7d thrown in.
 
I went for a secondhand 1000D as a beginner, then quickly up to a 40D as I outgrew the feature set on the 1000D. When the shutter failed I upgraded to a 50D, which has a few nice extra features. Will get the 40D fixed though as a backup body. 70D is tempting me currently.

So really if you're starting out but suspect you'll get into photography, a secondhand prosumer body gives a lot of bang for your buck. If you're just going to point and shoot, a new low-end model like the 1100D or 100D with kit lens is worth considering.
 
I've got all my dslr's and all bar one of my lenses second hand the savings are just to good not too, avoid flee bay and buy from established forum users.
 
If I may hijack this a little, can I ask if someone could share their thoughts on how many activations might make them think twice about going for a second-hand dslr?

I realize it may well be model/manufacturer dependant but just a rough estimate is fine.
 
body, i always buy new or refurb. especially for beginners, i would recommend a new machine and bring along some one who knows how to test a camera. things improve quite abit over the years, but it wasnt too long ago when a new nikon D40 can come out of a box with dead pixel on the sensor...

lens, i almost always buy second hand. (it's interesting that how you can some times make a profit on second hand lens) especially manual lens with minimal electronics in them, just need to check for dust, mold, loose elements and colour tint.
 
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I started photography with a Nikon d3100, its great to learn the basics on, really easy to use and lots of features for a beginner.

If you are totally new to SLR photography its a good buy.

I currently use Nikon d7000 its amazing when you have learned the basics, recommended for a more serious shooter.
 
Gogl said:
If I may hijack this a little, can I ask if someone could share their thoughts on how many activations might make them think twice about going for a second-hand dslr?

I realize it may well be model/manufacturer dependant but just a rough estimate is fine.
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There are so many available that I wouldn't buy anything with more than 20,000 actuations. Having said that my 40D's shutter gave up at 11,000 (bought at 4000) so there will always be extreme cases.
 
i almost buy everything i can second hand but i didnt with my photography stuff as i wouldnt know a defect especially if it was minor

i went half way and got mine from hong kong, not far off used prices in uk!
 
Thanks for the input folks, it's been very helpful.

It seems that often the lower models that would be ideal for a beginner seem to get bid up to a closer proportion of their RRP on eBay than the more expensive ones. I'll have a poke around for a few Photography forums and see what might be available from people selling on places like that.

Even though the cashback deals are quite small on lower models, I think it still may be enough to tip the balance in favour of buying new, I'll look into the option of importing also.

I am a complete novice when it comes to cameras and photography, I guess new cameras can come with defects too, has anyone come across a good guide to testing out a new purchase?

Thanks.
 
Gogl said:
Thanks for the input folks, it's been very helpful.

It seems that often the lower models that would be ideal for a beginner seem to get bid up to a closer proportion of their RRP on eBay than the more expensive ones. I'll have a poke around for a few Photography forums and see what might be available from people selling on places like that.

Even though the cashback deals are quite small on lower models, I think it still may be enough to tip the balance in favour of buying new, I'll look into the option of importing also.

I am a complete novice when it comes to cameras and photography, I guess new cameras can come with defects too, has anyone come across a good guide to testing out a new purchase?

Thanks.
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I'd avoid eBay if possible- I've had a few duds, and a camera is something you ideally want to handle yourself and do basic checks before you buy. If you go secondhand I'd recommend spending the extra few bucks for something from London Camera Exchange, MPB or the like, where you get a good warranty.
 
CGrieves said:
I'd avoid eBay if possible- I've had a few duds, and a camera is something you ideally want to handle yourself and do basic checks before you buy. If you go secondhand I'd recommend spending the extra few bucks for something from London Camera Exchange, MPB or the like, where you get a good warranty.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll probably do a good bit of poking around before I home in on a purchase and even then will most likely seek clarity before I do, but this all gives me a place to start looking through options.

Cheers.
 
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