Refurbished DSLR

[pwds]

We are thinking of buying a DSLR towards the entry-mid level price bracket to take advantage of the amazing countryside around us and get out together in the summer months.

 

We have a manual but the cost of processing is going to stop us routinely using it recreationally, plus don't feel great about the chemicals/water use since we're trying to be reasonably eco friendly with our lifestyle.

 

With that in mind are there good suppliers of end of line or refurbished DSLRs that you'd recommend? We're not worried about getting the latest model - we just need RAW image processing and solid manual functions.

 

We'd feel bad spending any more than £550, although obviously the less the better.

[Diello]

Not sure about refurbished - but considering your price bracket I'd take a look at the Nikon D5000. Lower down the spectrum, look at the D3000 or the Canon EOS 1000D.

[broc]

I think with the sort of budget you have available you should find a lot of choice, although maybe not if you particularly want refurbished. I would recommend you decide which brand suits you best, in terms of features on offer, handling, systems such as lenses & accessories you might need. etc. You should try and handle potential candidate purchases yourself rather than rely upon other peoples advice alone and buy 'off the web'

 

You will undoubtedly very soon receive a 'storm' of advice about which brand.... especially from brand zealots

 

I would look at some reviews & see what features the reviewers pick out as +/- such as speed of autofocus, performance in low light etc and see if these are important to you. Don't be swayed too much by the more megapixels is better arguments you might hear too.

 

The Nikon D5000 as recommended by Diello would be a very good camera to start looking at.....

 

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/digital-cameras/352456/nikon-d5000/2

Edited April 23, 2010 by broc

[Robz]

I'm currently awaiting delivery of my new Nikon D3000, got it off Amazon £340 + bag. It was the one recommended most by my photographer mate, he says it is ideal for those new to DSLRs or just looking for a plain simple to the point DSLR with expandability (lots of new lenses available for nikons).

[Ric_]

If you have a SLR at the moment you no doubt have a collection of lenses and accessories so you will want to stick with that brand.

 

For refurb stuff Canon have an outlet on Ebay. You can also find some decent second hand bodies on Ebay if you know what to look out for - as a Canon-fanboi I keep an eye out for Canon kit and know that for under £400 you can pick up a well cared for 5D Mark 1 or 1Ds Mark 1.

[mikeglover]

Photography is a hobby of mine and I highly recommend Pentax cameras. Pentax are not as big as Canon or Nikon but they have been round for a very long time and making very good quality cameras.

The build quality on pentax budget DSLR are way better than Nikon or Canon entries.

I just seen this on Camera Parks website a second hand sale of the camera I use.

Pentax K20D is a mid range camera with alot of features.

Pentax K20D (USED) - Park Cameras Online

You would need a lens with it but at the bottom of that page is a 18-55mm lens for £39. Perfect for landscapes.

[capncrunch]

If you have a SLR at the moment you no doubt have a collection of lenses and accessories so you will want to stick with that brand.

 

 

That is a very good point, personally I use old SLR lenses on a DSLR body as I cannot afford the ludicrous lens prices. You have no Auto Focus and aperture control is done on the lens but the picture quality is still great and cost a fraction of the price. Off Ebay i have picked up about 10 manual lenses for the the price of 1 half decent standard zoom.

[K.C.Leblanc]

Not sure about refurbished - but considering your price bracket I'd take a look at the Nikon D5000. Lower down the spectrum, look at the D3000 or the Canon EOS 1000D.

 

If you want to do stuff in low light the D5000 is much better, it uses the same sensor as the higher end Nikon D90 and D300. The D3000 uses an older sensor and is very similar to it's predesors the D60 and the D40X.

 

I was looking into Nikon and bought a used D60 from Mifsuds (for about £100 less then a new D3000). It's not refurbished, but it was as new (only done 1400 actuations, the compact I'd bought at Christmas has done more).

 

Mifsuds

Edited April 23, 2010 by K.C.Leblanc

[pooley]

Tesco have a deal on

 

Nikon D3000 Digital SLR Camera (18-55 mm VR Lens Kit) £334.82 + 1158 tesco clubcard pts

 

- 10.2M Nikon DX format CCD sensor

- Media SD (Secure Digital) memory cards,SDHC compliant

- Active D-lighting for shooting in high contrast conditions

- Image size (pixels):3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296

- Battery One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9a AC adapter AC Adapter EH-5a

- Eyecap DK-20, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EC-D100, Camera Strap AN-DC3,

Includes AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55 mm VR lens with Vibration Reduction to help reduce the effects of camera shake.

PS: Please use code TDX-EXCP as shown in link --> Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera - Tesco.Direct

This will add 500 points and camera's 658 Clubcard points=1158 clubcard pts

[K.C.Leblanc]

That is a very good point, personally I use old SLR lenses on a DSLR body as I cannot afford the ludicrous lens prices. You have no Auto Focus and aperture control is done on the lens but the picture quality is still great and cost a fraction of the price. Off Ebay i have picked up about 10 manual lenses for the the price of 1 half decent standard zoom.

 

Also unless your buying a full frame DSLR (big money!), the focal length lengths will change.

 

Crop factor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

EDIT: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/ is well worth a look.

[gibbo_ap]

i have just got a canon 450d its amazing, lots better than my old nikon

[Ric_]

i have just got a canon 450d its amazing, lots better than my old nikon

 

The manager of my local bought one yesterday and so I was having a play... given that it is budget (so obviously not on a par with my 1Ds) it was quite impressive. Build quality has improved since the days of the 300D and low-light performance was impressive.

[danrhodes]

If you actually want to take good pictures you need to a get a Hasselblad, but if you don't have a spare 25k then a Canon 500D or something higher like a 40D?

 

D

[ICT_GUY]

I can vouch for the 50D being an amazing bit of kit but pricey new. Any second-hand kit may have a dirty sensor. My 50D and the school Nikon have suffered from this. The school one has never had its lens changed so go how it got dirty I have no idea.

[truslack]

My urbex forum has a lot of members who need an entry level DSLR.

 

Which reminds me, I need to get round to clearing my cookies so I can actually log on again!

[K.C.Leblanc]

There's a huge glut of M42 lenses floating about, and you can pick up wierd and wonderful lenses for peanuts (e.g. 500mm mirror lens for 20 quid).

 

Just browse ebay for M42 lens and see what pops up.

 

What's a good cheap as chips 35mm SLR that take M42 lens. I'd quite like one to have a play with, quite like a idea of getting some fast film and shooting some local music events. My D60 isn't great at high ISOs and it's a bit too valuable to be taking out on the lash. My little FUJI s1500 is dire at high ISOs (anything above 400 is more like a disapointing special effect.).

 

EDIT: I realise I won't get AF, but what about metering and auto exposure?

Edited April 23, 2010 by K.C.Leblanc