Advice for me?

[Azzizz81]

Can u guys give me some advice on purchasing a digicam?
Should be getting a A40 although that means bursting my budget, should be a good buy?

I need some advice on:
1. Where to buy at a good price? Who to look for?
2. What price will be a good deal?
3. What is inside the standard package?
4. Can I change at the shop within 7 days if something is faulty?
5. How to deal with pushy counter staff?
6. How to avoid being cheated?
7. What other things should I look out for?

Sorry for being long-winded! Help greatly appreciated!

 

[rochkoh]

Greetings and Welcome Azzizz81,

Lemme try to answer some of your questions:

1. Where to buy at a good price? Who to look for?
Places like Cathay Photo (Peninsular & Marina), FotoGuide (Peninsular) and Alan Photo (Sim Lim) would be a great place to start. Not to mention John 3:16 at Funan too.

2. What price will be a good deal?
An A40 on 9th Sept 2002? Probably between $430-$450 would be very resonable.

3. What is inside the standard package?
1. The Camera
2. Cables
3. Software
4. Storage Media

4. Can I change at the shop within 7 days if something is faulty?
Should not be a problem if something is really wrong with your camera. Much depends on the shop. The A40 should come with a warranty from Canon Singapore anyway. But to increase your confidence level and to be 'safe', do a comprehensive test before you walk out of the shop with your purchase.

5. How to deal with pushy counter staff?
Be polite, say thank you and walk out of the shop.

6. How to avoid being cheated?
Do you homework. Visit several shops, know their prices and what they offer in their 'standard' package. Then decide. Take your time. Don't rush into a purchase.

7. What other things should I look out for?
Join SEED. Come on down one of these days and ask around for help - most of us would be more than willing to aid a fellow snapper.

Enjoy your shopping experience!
rOCh

Originally posted by Azzizz81
Can u guys give me some advice on purchasing a digicam?
Should be getting a A40 although that means bursting my budget, should be a good buy?

I need some advice on:
1. Where to buy at a good price? Who to look for?
2. What price will be a good deal?
3. What is inside the standard package?
4. Can I change at the shop within 7 days if something is faulty?
5. How to deal with pushy counter staff?
6. How to avoid being cheated?
7. What other things should I look out for?

Sorry for being long-winded! Help greatly appreciated!

 

[Jason Ho]

Ya! Join the next SEED! Watch out for the next SEED announcement over here !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Azzizz81]

Originally posted by rochkoh
Greetings and Welcome Azzizz81,

Lemme try to answer some of your questions:

[4. Can I change at the shop within 7 days if something is faulty?
Should not be a problem if something is really wrong with your camera. Much depends on the shop. The A40 should come with a warranty from Canon Singapore anyway. But to increase your confidence level and to be 'safe', do a comprehensive test before you walk out of the shop with your purchase.

hhmm...what are some of these "comprehensive" tests?

 

[rochkoh]

Well, to start with, switch it on and start taking photos with it.

My to-do test list would be something like this:
1. Shots taken at alternate zoom ends (Optical and Digital), and preview them.
2. Shots taken at all available pre-set modes, and preview them.
3. Adjust white balances/Sepia/B&W etc, take shots and preview them.
4. If the camera takes in more than one type of media, try taking shots with them both, and preview your shots.
5. Shots taken at Manual mode (if available), and preview them.
6. Take mpegs, movies and preview them.
7. Take shots with flash and preview them.
8. Shots taken at various ISO levels and preview them.
9. Test for hot pixels.
10. Bracketing & Continous modes.
11. And general handling like noise, shutter lag, poweron and shutdown timings..

Well, the list goes on... but you get the idea. Try to test a good 80-90% of all available functions.

These should provide you with a basic understanding of the limitations of the camera you're about to purchase. Of course there're others features you cannot test on the spot, like PC-sync, uploading/downloading to your computer, picture sharpness etc., do try to get them tested ASAP when you get home.

Hope this helps.

regards and enjoy,
rOCh

Originally posted by Azzizz81


hhmm...what are some of these "comprehensive" tests?

 

[Azzizz81]

Thanks! Very comprehensive indeed!

 

[dbchoong]

Wah! Test so much.... if don't buy, for sure get whack by shop, esp shops in SLS... ;p