2nd hand 350D or Brand new 400D?

[lustlab]

to begin with, im a beginner. i've used canon 350D for my projects before (see: http://nurwafah.deviantart.com) and thought of purchasing 350D but to my dissapointment, they've discontinued canon 350d here in sg. should i get a second hand or get a brand new 400D?
please advice, putting into consideration;
-i'm a beginner (basic stuff like aperture, shutter speed...BASICS i'd say) and therefore the dslr would be a good way to explore the different possibilities
-i prefer taking portraits (indoor and outdoor)-so what kinda lenses?

i need your advice. please help, thanks.

 

[sprewell]

Get a 2nd hand 350D from the buy/sell section in CS.

Spend the rest of your budget on a good lens. If you have limited budget, the 18-55mm kit1 lens is good enough.

 

[Russ]

Get a second hand 350D or even a 300D.
350Ds go for about $500-600 and 300Ds for $300-400.

Stick to the 18-55 3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Get a 28-105 3.5-4.5 second hand for $250 and a 50mm 1.8 II for $100 second hand.
Better than the kit lens, and good for portraiture.

If you can, also get a used 380EX flash for $150 - you may need to use bounced flash.

Less than $1,000 gets you a nice set up!!.

 

[p7m13]

I think you should get the 450D since Canon just announced it. It should start selling in shops in perhaps about a month or two.

 

[p7m13]

--- Sorry double post ---

 

[lustlab]

Get a second hand 350D or even a 300D.
350Ds go for about $500-600 and 300Ds for $300-400.

Stick to the 18-55 3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Get a 28-105 3.5-4.5 second hand for $250 and a 50mm 1.8 II for $100 second hand.
Better than the kit lens, and good for portraiture.

If you can, also get a used 380EX flash for $150 - you may need to use bounced flash.

Less than $1,000 gets you a nice set up!!.

thanks, this really helped.

 

[Koelsch]

2nd hand 350d

 

[Russ]

thanks, this really helped.

And if your budget allows, you could also consider a second hand 400D or 20D. Whilst they cost more than an old 350D, they will grow with your hobby.

Why are you so keen on the 350D in particular? Most Canon DSLRs have a similar look and feel.

 

[calebk]

I think you should get the 450D since Canon just announced it. It should start selling in shops in perhaps about a month or two.

I think you should stick to the two cameras that the TS is asking about. Why introduce the 450D into the equation? New isn't always better. If you have a fixed budget and you spend so much on the camera body, you'll be left with less for good lenses.

 

[p7m13]

I think you should stick to the two cameras that the TS is asking about. Why introduce the 450D into the equation? New isn't always better. If you have a fixed budget and you spend so much on the camera body, you'll be left with less for good lenses.

Well TS didn't exactly state his budget, and maybe he might not know that the 450D would be going on sale soon. Because if the price difference between the 400D and 450D is minimal then he might decide on the 450D instead. Just trying to help that's all...

 

[lustlab]

well, im a girl, thats one thing.
budget wise not so particular, but im quite thrifty and practical, therefore, i'd rather get a second hand body, and spend good money on good lenses.

 

[lustlab]

And if your budget allows, you could also consider a second hand 400D or 20D. Whilst they cost more than an old 350D, they will grow with your hobby.

Why are you so keen on the 350D in particular? Most Canon DSLRs have a similar look and feel.

hey, yes, thats because i'm more familiar with 350d, technical specification etc etc.
besides, i've read alot of threads and it seems like its more impt to get good lenses first.
so, if i dont spend so much on the body, i can get better lenses..

 

[bend geez]

Get a second hand 350D or even a 300D.
350Ds go for about $500-600 and 300Ds for $300-400.

Stick to the 18-55 3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Get a 28-105 3.5-4.5 second hand for $250 and a 50mm 1.8 II for $100 second hand.
Better than the kit lens, and good for portraiture.

If you can, also get a used 380EX flash for $150 - you may need to use bounced flash.

Less than $1,000 gets you a nice set up!!.

I agree with this. I personally like this setup. Very good for starters

 

[Russ]

well, im a girl, thats one thing.
budget wise not so particular, but im quite thrifty and practical, therefore, i'd rather get a second hand body, and spend good money on good lenses.

I am thrifty and careful with money as well even though I am definitely not a girl - I stuck to my 300D until late last year even though I could well afford a 30D 40D, even a 5D. Thje 300D, 350D, 400D all feel very similar. There are a few 350Ds for sale now but a bit higher than my indicative price, asking 650.

BTW, nice to see girls on this forum - I think there are many more guys than girls ...

 

[ashflames]

hm.. let me suggest another combination...

camera set up;
2nd hand 350D - ard $600
kit 18-55 - ard $80
75 -300 III - ard $150
50m f1.8 - ard $100
basic tripod - ard $25 (basic one on carrefour)

stuff that u will also need;
good camera bag - $50
silica gel (if not planning to buy dry cabinet) - $4
camera release (fire works must) - ard $30

this will basically serves a wide range / purpose @ lesser than 1K.

upgrades in future
55-200 IS f 4-5.6 - ard $360
18-55 IS ($250) or 17-85(ard $550 2nd hand) or 17-55 (1 k plus)

 

[miniUltraman]

well, im a girl, thats one thing.
budget wise not so particular, but im quite thrifty and practical, therefore, i'd rather get a second hand body, and spend good money on good lenses.

whether u are thrifty/practical/stingy... once u are in this hobby.. buy buy buy, you will!!! POISON :bsmilie: Welcome to the club :sweatsm:

 

[canonG9]

Get a second hand 350D or even a 300D.
350Ds go for about $500-600 and 300Ds for $300-400.

Stick to the 18-55 3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Get a 28-105 3.5-4.5 second hand for $250 and a 50mm 1.8 II for $100 second hand.
Better than the kit lens, and good for portraiture.

If you can, also get a used 380EX flash for $150 - you may need to use bounced flash.

Less than $1,000 gets you a nice set up!!.

first hand 50 f1.8 II is around 120 cash from MS Color

 

[calebk]

hm.. let me suggest another combination...

camera set up;
2nd hand 350D - ard $600
kit 18-55 - ard $80
75 -300 III - ard $150
50m f1.8 - ard $100
basic tripod - ard $25 (basic one on carrefour)

stuff that u will also need;
good camera bag - $50
silica gel (if not planning to buy dry cabinet) - $4
camera release (fire works must) - ard $30

this will basically serves a wide range / purpose @ lesser than 1K.

upgrades in future
55-200 IS f 4-5.6 - ard $360
18-55 IS ($250) or 17-85(ard $550 2nd hand) or 17-55 (1 k plus)

I wouldn't really consider the 55-200 IS as an upgrade from the 75-300, as optically, performance of the 55-200 is not a whole lot greater.

I also disagree with buying a $25 tripod (that will most likely give way soon enough). Getting a tripod that can bear a greater load than what you already have is important for future expansion. Tripods usually stay with you until you change camera bodies.

 

[ashflames]

I wouldn't really consider the 55-200 IS as an upgrade from the 75-300, as optically, performance of the 55-200 is not a whole lot greater.

I also disagree with buying a $25 tripod (that will most likely give way soon enough). Getting a tripod that can bear a greater load than what you already have is important for future expansion. Tripods usually stay with you until you change camera bodies.

the IS features to me is a plus(considering the price) when using long focus... my hands tends to shake when taking shots causing blur photos... still a newbie lahz... then i recommond an 70-200 L f2.8 IS USM as an upgrade then..... lolz....

the only time i use the tripod is during fireworks whereby i choose the location, ensure it is steady and start shooting without moving the tripod much... Dun really like bringing tripod on trips cause it's heavy and quite big, takes more time (ie cant walk and shoot), everyone looks at me when taking photos... but if planning to go pro.. a good stable tripod is a MUST..!!

Lets not OT from the trend... 2nd hand 350D now and 50D / 5D (future, if turning pro) :bsmilie:

 

[lustlab]

first hand 50 f1.8 II is around 120 cash from MS Color

wow,really? ok where is MS colour?