Canon 1000d overseas - to buy or nt?

[bananapancakes]

Hi guys,

I'm looking into getting an entry-lvl dslr. Either Canon1000d or nikond60.

I am in China now doing my internship and hope to use this time to pick up photography as well. I've asked around for the prices and 1000d with lens kit costs about SGD900 after conversion. Cheaper than in S'pore surprisingly. The problem is the 1 yr warranty only covers China.

Like to ask if this is worth it? What are the chances of the camera being spoilt after I return to S'pore?

Would appreciate any help.

Really wish to get my dslr soon!

 

[Anson]

Hi guys,

I'm looking into getting an entry-lvl dslr. Either Canon1000d or nikond60.

I am in China now doing my internship and hope to use this time to pick up photography as well. I've asked around for the prices and 1000d with lens kit costs about SGD900 after conversion. Cheaper than in S'pore surprisingly. The problem is the 1 yr warranty only covers China.

Do you mind if I ask how much is the 450D (with 18-200mm kit) cost in China? Thanks..

 

[Octarine]

Warranty is a bet, decide for yourself whether you want to join or prefer safety.
You bet that the camera will get spoiled within 1 year, Canon bets it will work fine. The loser will pay: Your payment is the warranty surcharge (price difference between CN and SG) - unfortunately you have to pay in advance. If Canon loses they'll have to repair the cam for free.

 

[Anson]

Warranty is a bet, decide for yourself whether you want to join or prefer safety.

Life is a gamble... but is the gamble worth it? :think:

 

[Jester2003]

I think you have to ask yourself how long will you stay in China and how often do you intend to return to Spore.
If you are staying in China for more than a year, it might be better to get a China warrenty than a Spore one.

I've got my in Vietnam as I'll be here for more than a year, but my is a grey set...heehee.

 

[hopihopi]

To TS, Just want to share that, the price of 1000D in China is around s$800. You can get this price easily at any online shop. For those who understand Mandarin, you can check the price at: http://www.360buy.com/products/652-654-832-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-1-1.html Right now, s$1 is around 4.7 RMB

 

[bananapancakes]

Do you mind if I ask how much is the 450D (with 18-200mm kit) cost in China? Thanks..

I was quoted CNY4300(SGD$914) for 450D kit. Nt sure if the lens is the same one though.

Warranty is a bet, decide for yourself whether you want to join or prefer safety.
You bet that the camera will get spoiled within 1 year, Canon bets it will work fine. The loser will pay: Your payment is the warranty surcharge (price difference between CN and SG) - unfortunately you have to pay in advance. If Canon loses they'll have to repair the cam for free.

Lol good reasoning! I am thinking hard.. because on one hand I want to play safe but on the other I am really tempted by the price. However though, based on your experience, how likely is it that a camera gets damaged/parts malfunction etc? And how costly is it to do camera repairs with warranty? The warranty period in SG is also for a year, right?

I think you have to ask yourself how long will you stay in China and how often do you intend to return to Spore.
If you are staying in China for more than a year, it might be better to get a China warrenty than a Spore one.

I've got my in Vietnam as I'll be here for more than a year, but my is a grey set...heehee.

I'm staying here till around Mar next year. That means only 3+ mths of warranty but savings of $300+!

To TS, Just want to share that, the price of 1000D in China is around s$800. You can get this price easily at any online shop. For those who understand Mandarin, you can check the price at: http://www.360buy.com/products/652-654-832-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-1-1.html Right now, s$1 is around 4.7 RMB

Thanks. I got quoted SGD$730 by a retailer at zhongguanchun (Beijing). Don't really like the place though.. the salesmen can't seem to be trusted. I asked at another decent-looking shop away from that place, was quoted SGD$810.

 

[Anson]

I was quoted CNY4300(SGD$914) for 450D kit. Nt sure if the lens is the same one though.

Thanks for the info...

 

[Octarine]

Lol good reasoning! I am thinking hard.. because on one hand I want to play safe but on the other I am really tempted by the price. However though, based on your experience, how likely is it that a camera gets damaged/parts malfunction etc? And how costly is it to do camera repairs with warranty? The warranty period in SG is also for a year, right?

There are some reports about 'lemons' but it seems the ratio is quite low. Treat the camera with care and you can lower the probability of damages. Repair of manufacturing defects is FOC (that's what the warranty is for), repair of parts damaged by you will be chargeable. A damaged sensor will cost a bit more than a broken battery door Standard service activities (chargeable, like cleaning etc.) can be checked at Canon SG website.
Standard warranty is one year but some shops offer extended warranty up to 3 years, available at Courts, HN etc. Safety costs money, it's up to you to strike a balance

 

[bananapancakes]

There are some reports about 'lemons' but it seems the ratio is quite low. Treat the camera with care and you can lower the probability of damages. Repair of manufacturing defects is FOC (that's what the warranty is for), repair of parts damaged by you will be chargeable. A damaged sensor will cost a bit more than a broken battery door Standard service activities (chargeable, like cleaning etc.) can be checked at Canon SG website.
Standard warranty is one year but some shops offer extended warranty up to 3 years, available at Courts, HN etc. Safety costs money, it's up to you to strike a balance

I see.. Mind if I ask what are lemons?

What are the charges for repair with no warranty? I guess this list ( http://www.canon.com.sg/section/customercare/servicecharges-dc.jsp) shows the prices for cameras under warranty?

Sorry for all the qns. Too anxious hahah.

And I have decided. I'm going for it! Looking into 450D as well now. I tried searching on the Nikon site but can't seem to find any similar level type of DSLR like the 450D? What other models should I consider?

 

[corneliustoh]

Most likely the D60. You can consider the D40 (cheaper) or the D90 (more expensive) too.

 

[bananapancakes]

Most likely the D60. You can consider the D40 (cheaper) or the D90 (more expensive) too.

Thanks. I checked, and D90 is slightly over my budget. Around SGD$1,900 with kit right? I am intrigued by the video capabilities though.

So now it's between Nikon D60 / Canon1000D / Canon 450D / (and a slight chance of D90)

Meant for a beginner, and plan on using it for 2-3 years.

Recommendations, anyone?

 

[Anson]

Thanks. I checked, and D90 is slightly over my budget. Around SGD$1,900 with kit right? I am intrigued by the video capabilities though.

So now it's between Nikon D60 / Canon1000D / Canon 450D / (and a slight chance of D90)

Meant for a beginner, and plan on using it for 2-3 years.

Recommendations, anyone?

If I were you... I would get the Canon 450D.... Personal I felt that the D60 & 1000D are "crippled version" by the camera manufacturer to gain market share...

The D60 lack AF with some (or rather large number) of their Nikon Lens, while the 1000D lack spot metering.....

 

[Octarine]

I see.. Mind if I ask what are lemons?
What are the charges for repair with no warranty? I guess this list ( http://www.canon.com.sg/section/customercare/servicecharges-dc.jsp) shows the prices for cameras under warranty?
Sorry for all the qns. Too anxious hahah.
And I have decided. I'm going for it! Looking into 450D as well now. I tried searching on the Nikon site but can't seem to find any similar level type of DSLR like the 450D? What other models should I consider?

Lemons are just faulty products that somehow passed the quality control. Tough luck if you get one.
Give the Service Center a call for the rates without warranty. Could be the same but they definitely will charge you for all parts extra. Don't be too anxious, take pictures. Assessing a risk is fine, worrying is useless.
Nikon also has comparable models. But I'm not familiar with them. Check dpreview.com, they have lots of reviews with direct comparison between all major brands.

 

[night86mare]

if a camera doesn't spoil within the first few days, chances are is that everything is alright, and it should be ok for more than a year unless you do not take care of it

a year is only a year. cameras can , and should, last way longer than that.

 

[bananapancakes]

Hi all, i am now an official proud owner of a Canon 450D!

Thanks to all for the advice.

I decided on 450 cos 1000d seemed really too basic and also lack spot metering. The kit costs CNY4,700 (SGD$1020) and came with a bag.

I also bought a UV lens filter and 4GB SDHC card. Just wondering though, the salesman was saying it was better to get a certain class of SD cards for the camera.. think class C or HC or something. What is the difference between those and the normal cards? If I use my other 2GB normal SD card will the quality be affected?

The weather here is very dry so I don't think I need a dry box. Maybe get one when I return to SG. Other than these are there any other add-ons I should consider getting at this point?

 

[Anson]

Hi all, i am now an official proud owner of a Canon 450D!

Thanks to all for the advice.

I decided on 450 cos 1000d seemed really too basic and also lack spot metering. The kit costs CNY4,700 (SGD$1020) and came with a bag.

I also bought a UV lens filter and 4GB SDHC card. Just wondering though, the salesman was saying it was better to get a certain class of SD cards for the camera.. think class C or HC or something. What is the difference between those and the normal cards? If I use my other 2GB normal SD card will the quality be affected?

The weather here is very dry so I don't think I need a dry box. Maybe get one when I return to SG. Other than these are there any other add-ons I should consider getting at this point?

Happy that you have got your camera... For SDHC cards there is Class 4, 6 which are measured by the min write speed (eg: Class 6 is 6MB/s) For the 450D, it have a rather large buffer (unless you intend to shoot unlimited RAW) which can take photo up to 3.5fps (at least 9 large image) regardless of the speed of the SDHC card... Secondly unless your SD card is faulty, it won't affect the IQ (Image Quality).

You may want to consider an UV filter to provide your lens...

 

[OnePiece]

Hi all, i am now an official proud owner of a Canon 450D!

Thanks to all for the advice.

I decided on 450 cos 1000d seemed really too basic and also lack spot metering. The kit costs CNY4,700 (SGD$1020) and came with a bag.

I also bought a UV lens filter and 4GB SDHC card. Just wondering though, the salesman was saying it was better to get a certain class of SD cards for the camera.. think class C or HC or something. What is the difference between those and the normal cards? If I use my other 2GB normal SD card will the quality be affected?

The weather here is very dry so I don't think I need a dry box. Maybe get one when I return to SG. Other than these are there any other add-ons I should consider getting at this point?

for the sd card, i don think it will effect the quality of pic, only the differrent is when u copy to computer, u will find it slow a bit if u use normal sd card...
for the dry box, i think u should ask urself, how long u will stay at china? if longer than 3 monyhs, i think better to buy a dry box, just a small 1 ok already, if u wan to protect ur camera...
just my 2 cent...:bsmilie:

 

[Anson]

for the sd card, i don think it will effect the quality of pic, only the differrent is when u copy to computer, u will find it slow a bit if u use normal sd card...
for the dry box, i think u should ask urself, how long u will stay at china? if longer than 3 monyhs, i think better to buy a dry box, just a small 1 ok already, if u wan to protect ur camera...
just my 2 cent...:bsmilie:

If I am oversea, I may not want to buy a drybox as "shipping" it back home take up a fair amount of your luggage space... :think:

If I am the TS I would get a ziplock bag with silicon gels as a temp solution for the few months...

 

[bananapancakes]

Happy that you have got your camera... For SDHC cards there is Class 4, 6 which are measured by the min write speed (eg: Class 6 is 6MB/s) For the 450D, it have a rather large buffer (unless you intend to shoot unlimited RAW) which can take photo up to 3.5fps (at least 9 large image) regardless of the speed of the SDHC card... Secondly unless your SD card is faulty, it won't affect the IQ (Image Quality).

You may want to consider an UV filter to provide your lens...

I see.. got a Class 6 Transcend SDHC card. Should be quite ok.

Yep I've already bought a UV filter

for the sd card, i don think it will effect the quality of pic, only the differrent is when u copy to computer, u will find it slow a bit if u use normal sd card...
for the dry box, i think u should ask urself, how long u will stay at china? if longer than 3 monyhs, i think better to buy a dry box, just a small 1 ok already, if u wan to protect ur camera...
just my 2 cent...:bsmilie:

I am staying here for 3 more mths till my internship ends. When I asked the salesman he said the dry box is nt really needed with the weather here. I guess it applies more to SG since it's so humid back home?

Read some threads about a DIY drybox in the forum too.. like using ziplock bag with thirsty hippo and stuff. Seems like a good idea:bsmilie: Btw, what is the device I can buy to measure humidity?