Best sub-$600 DSLR? Used or new?
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**Porter** · 03-05-2008 12:24 PM

OK guys, school me a little.

I have no brand preference. I've been using a Nikon lately, and I've used a Sony A100 quite a bit. My film camera is a Canon AE-1. So basically, I have no brand loyalty whatsoever.

I'm thinking a good budget DSLR, not an entry level though. I can't stand the performance of the D40 I've been using at work, though the ergonomics are decent. It's fine as a snapshot camera but falls on its face as a creative tool. The D50 I used last week beat the snot out of it in that regard.

So, I'm looking at options. The XTi and the Nikon D80 seem to be obvious options. The Pentax offerings are very interesting, too. Note: I currently do not own a DSLR of my own, so I have no existing investment in glass.

What do you think, guys? Used XTi? Used D80? Used K10D? Or a new K200D when they launch and drop a bit in price? I'll be buying in late May probably.

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 12:26 PM

search homie, i've done more than enough gloating about the pentax line.

**beezwax** · 03-05-2008 12:29 PM

Subimatt is selling his XTi with accessories for a really good deal... he's a trusted member and a great seller

http://www.newschoolofphotography.co...ead.php?t=3565

**Colorblinded** · 03-05-2008 12:31 PM

You can get a new XTi for that price.

Really though, I don't think you should be too concerned with our suggestions. Canon & Nikon have the biggest lineup of modern lenses, Nikons sometimes costing more. Nikon, like Pentax, however has a large collection of older lenses which you can use on the camera. Just beware lots of compatibility and functional quirks with Nikon cameras and older lenses (hell their new tilt shifts don't full work with some of their existing or older cameras).

Your best bet, as always, is to go to any decent local shop and try every camera at or near your price range. Figure out what fits your hands, feels right, works in a way that's intuitive to you, etc.

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by emorphien

Your best bet, as always, is to go to any decent local shop and try every camera at or near your price range. Figure out what fits your hands, feels right, works in a way that's intuitive to you, etc.

this is all you need to know porter, that's the most important thing that will be said in here.

**subimatt** · 03-05-2008 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by emorphien

You can get a new XTi for that price.

Really though, I don't think you should be too concerned with our suggestions. Canon & Nikon have the biggest lineup of modern lenses, Nikons sometimes costing more. Nikon, like Pentax, however has a large collection of older lenses which you can use on the camera. Just beware lots of compatibility and functional quirks with Nikon cameras and older lenses (hell their new tilt shifts don't full work with some of their existing or older cameras).

Your best bet, as always, is to go to any decent local shop and try every camera at or near your price range. Figure out what fits your hands, feels right, works in a way that's intuitive to you, etc.

body only yes, Kits are 600$

**Porter** · 03-05-2008 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by b84wm

this is all you need to know porter, that's the most important thing that will be said in here.

I've used the Canon, the Nikon, and the Sony... all are nice but I like Nikon's ergo on the D80 best of the three.

I need to go play with a Pentax to see how they feel.

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Porter

I've used the Canon, the Nikon, and the Sony... all are nice but I like Nikon's ergo on the D80 best of the three.

I need to go play with a Pentax to see how they feel.

the pentax line is made of brawn and steel, they're heavy like bricks (read-4 rechargeable AA batteries in a 23.3 OZ body) and feel awesome, at least in my hand

**Porter** · 03-05-2008 01:00 PM

What's the deal with the rechargeable AAs? Isn't that a bit inconvenient compared to the dedicated batteries? What is the battery life like with those?

**Colorblinded** · 03-05-2008 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by subimatt

body only yes, Kits are 600$

sub-$600

just barely

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Rebel_XTi.html

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 01:05 PM

depends on which ones you buy, i love being able to (if i actually had to) go to ANY store, grabbing batteries and throwing them in my camera. i have both a kodak and sanyo quick charging charger that both work fine, with NiMh batteries. 1 hour quick charge and i'm ready to go, they do last also...i'll need to REALLY take note of how many actuations they take though.

this is the actual set i bought, it was on sale when i picked it up for like $15 shipped, a KILLER deal:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-GES-MQH0...4740300&sr=8-2

with the k100d/ds/k110d line it's obviously a money-saving effort.

**ride5000** · 03-05-2008 01:21 PM

i just got a pristine 20d (typical hotshoe paint loss only) with <10k clicks for <430 shipped.

use your old canon lens(es) and profit.

jm2c
ken

**Porter** · 03-05-2008 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by ride5000

i just got a pristine 20d (typical hotshoe paint loss only) with <10k clicks for <430 shipped.

use your old canon lens(es) and profit.

jm2c
ken

O RLY?

Where, pray tell?

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 01:44 PM

keh.com is great for used gear

30d for $616

**ride5000** · 03-05-2008 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Porter

O RLY?

Where, pray tell?

this was the thread:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/615462/0

mark actually had TWO 20d bodies he was selling off. i got the first one and the second disappeared a day after i bumped his thread.

i had been trolling ebay but it was just too much of a circus.

hth
ken

**Colorblinded** · 03-05-2008 02:43 PM

If you're comfortable with used, keep searching, you're bound to find a deal like Ride5000 did.

**Porter** · 03-05-2008 03:12 PM

There are so many good options out there, it's hard.

As far as "new-on-the-block" stuff, what about Canon 450D vs. Pentax K200D? Pricing seems to be similar.

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 03:17 PM

the k200d has yet to be released and will be $720 for the body.
the XSi has yet to be released also and will be $800 for the body.

the top choices should look something like this: d40, xt, xti, k100d/s or something used

**Porter** · 03-05-2008 03:25 PM

D40 is out, I have one of those now and it's marginal at best, plus the lens selection is very limited. If I'm going to spend $500 on a camera, I might as well get a good body and a quality lens or two.

I remember seeing $500 deals every few weeks on the XT through Dell and etc, I figured something similar would be available on the XSi.

**Colorblinded** · 03-05-2008 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Porter

I remember seeing $500 deals every few weeks on the XT through Dell and etc, I figured something similar would be available on the XSi.

Probably no time soon. The XT is an old model, that was replaced by the XTi and now the XSi. You might start seeing sales like that on the XTi but I suspect the XSi will be fairly stable.

I'm curious if they'll keep the XT or drop it now.

**Geekybiker** · 03-05-2008 05:39 PM

The Xti already showed up about $500 with lens a week or two ago on amazon IIRC. All the new stuff I'd expect at least a couple months for the street prices to go down much.

**iunno** · 03-05-2008 05:44 PM

http://forums.slickdeals.net/search....rchid=28431723

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...66643#Overview

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