Torn between dSLR Choice

PaddyofNine

So I'm looking at various cameras as my first (Canon!) dSLR. I'm torn between different choices and am wondering what'd you do if presented with these options:

• Get a new Canon 400D with kit lens for €550 from Komplett. The most expensive of options, sure, but it also means that I can get it in the next three days.
  
• Get a canon 400D with kit lens from a friend who's going to New York next month. I could spend the extra money on a lens online, but the downside of course is that I'd have to wait a month.

Then there are two cameras secondhand that I'm looking at:

• A Canon 350D with EF 90-300mm lens and EF 18-55mm lens, 512+ 2GB memory cards, bag, and EW-60 lens shade, all for €700.
  
• A Canon 400D boxed with EF24-85 USM lens, @GB Card, Bag, Tripod, and spare battery, 4 months old, for €750.

What do I want to use the camera for? Well, I'm trying out all the various aspects of dSLR photography. I'd like to do a bit of landscape, maybe some portrait and definitely some sports photos down the line. I know I won't be able to do all that immediately, but I guess I'm just looking for as versatile a kit as possible.

What do you think? Which would you go for?

Koyasan

Does the kit include a 17-85 IS lens? I use one with my 20D and have only one complaint: f 4.0/5.6 can be a little restrictive in low light. Other than that I would highly recommend any kit containing it above one containing the EF 18-55. The latter feels very "light" and plastic to me.

PaddyofNine

Nah they only come with the lenses mentioned, which is why I'd be tending toward the latter option...

Cabaal

Get the 400D body only with a lens of your choice from kea-photo on ebay, won't have to wait a month and can still get it for a low low price

If your really planning on sports and have 950e burning a hole in your pocket get this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320221702055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011

tbh its a good offer,

Beelzebub

I am looking at the Canon range also and have held the 400D and it seems quite small and plasticky. I.E. not that robust.

City-Exile

I'd wait for the 450D to hit the shops.
That should affect the 400D price.

Ricky91t

City-Exile wrote: »

I'd wait for the 450D to hit the shops.
That should affect the 400D price.

+1

TelePaul

Beelzebub wrote: »

I am looking at the Canon range also and have held the 400D and it seems quite small and plasticky. I.E. not that robust.

You're not exactly gonna be flinging it around the place though. I have the 350D and it's lasting me well. You can get a molded hard case for them too.

elven

My 350d doesn't have a scratch after nearly 2 years, and I'm hardly precious with it.

If you can barely wait a month for your friend to get it in NY then you're not going to want to wait for the 450 to come out are you?

Get it body only, get a faster mid zoom, a bag and a 2 or 4gb card and see how you get on - then make a decision on further lenses. check the 'where to buy' link in the FAQ sticky for the best suppliers.

PaddyofNine

Cheers. Would you consider the EF24-85 USM lens in the last point there to be fast enough? Looking at it now, I'd nearly be as well off buying it on Komplett for the sake of having a new camera - it'd be around the same price, or so it seems!

PaddyofNine

While I'm on the subject, does anyone have the lens mentioned in the post? Is it any good? And is the 350D a bad camera?

Placebo

Cabaal wrote: »

Get the 400D body only with a lens of your choice from kea-photo on ebay, won't have to wait a month and can still get it for a low low price

If your really planning on sports and have 950e burning a hole in your pocket get this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320221702055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011

tbh its a good offer,

THATs a great offer !!! have people bought from them?
those lenses any good. i have one in mind, its wide wide angle, but i suppose il need a normal 50mm'ish one aswell

Cabaal

Placebo wrote: »

THATs a great offer !!! have people bought from them?
those lenses any good. i have one in mind, its wide wide angle, but i suppose il need a normal 50mm'ish one aswell

I recently bought my 50mm 1.8 from them but there popular enough amongst people here

Beelzebub

TelePaul, Elven, so the 400D is much the same in build as the 350D?
If so it's good to know that the build quality is solid enough.
I was led to believe from reports/reviews that it was not.

Beelzebub

PaddyofNine wrote: »

While I'm on the subject, does anyone have the lens mentioned in the post? Is it any good? And is the 350D a bad camera?

Review here.

If you have large hands the camera might not be comfortable.

Alanstrainor

I have a 350d, which i bought in August of last year and i love it, i happen to have a 400d as well (my brothers but he doesn't use it), which is very very similar in form. The one thing that is annoying on the 350d is the screen size, but then again i quite like the dual screen configuration. If you can get the 350d for a good price i'd very much recommend it, as far as i can tell there is no huge jump in quality between the photos taken on each camera, come to think about it there is almost no difference except of course that the 400d is a 10mega pixel where as the 350d is only a measly 8;).

TelePaul

Beelzebub wrote: »

Review here.

If you have large hands the camera might not be comfortable.

Well mine works great and I've put it through its paces - mostly for landscape shots, so it's survived the outdoors. I've never been constrained by it's build quality; I've never thought "oh, I wonder is my camera up to this?" But it is an expensive enough electronic item, and as such, shouldn't be neglected or abused ya know?

TelePaul

PaddyofNine wrote: »

And is the 350D a bad camera?

God no. No way. It's an excellent camera, a perfect first DSLR.

PaddyofNine

Dammit now I'm really torn! I'm stuck between getting this second hand from a guy in Dublin:

Canon Eos 350D
8.0 Mega Pixel Digital SLR, Canon EF 90-300mm lens, Canon EF 18-55mm lens, 1x512MB and 1x2GB memory card, Canon EW-60 Lens Shade, All original contents, peli case - all for €700, OR getting this for less than €130 quid more! Maybe I'm going a bit mad here - the second camera's probably overkill for what I need. But it's a nice looking bit of equipment though! And it'll be new, as opposed to the other second hand one...

Comments? And is there anything I'm forgetting to factor into the price: will I have to pay tax on the eBay one?

I also heard about a good deal on the 400D from 7dayshop... Basically a 400D with a kit lens and a EF 55-200mm USM lens for €760! More choice!

Beelzebub

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Dammit now I'm really torn! I'm stuck between getting this second hand from a guy in Dublin:

Canon Eos 350D
8.0 Mega Pixel Digital SLR, Canon EF 90-300mm lens, Canon EF 18-55mm lens, 1x512MB and 1x2GB memory card, Canon EW-60 Lens Shade, All original contents, peli case - all for €700, OR getting this for less than €130 quid more! Maybe I'm going a bit mad here - the second camera's probably overkill for what I need. But it's a nice looking bit of equipment though! And it'll be new, as opposed to the other second hand one...

Comments? And is there anything I'm forgetting to factor into the price: will I have to pay tax on the eBay one?

I also heard about a good deal on the 400D from 7dayshop... Basically a 400D with a kit lens and a EF 55-200mm USM lens for €760! More choice!

Wait a minute, you can get the 40D for €830?

Cabaal

Beelzebub wrote: »

Wait a minute, you can get the 40D for €830?

the ebay link for digital rev works out about 950e after shipping,

PaddyofNine

Yea typo I meant €930! Still, it's a great price...

Beelzebub

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Yea typo I meant €930! Still, it's a great price...

Yeah, it's a great deal!

PaddyofNine

Decided to go with the Canon in the end, 400D, brand new, boxed, with EF 24-85mm USM lens and EF 50mm/1.8 lens, spare battery, 2GB memory card, tripod and Lowepro Bag for €750. Not a bad deal - he's en route now, I'll let you know how I got on...

Placebo

Cabaal wrote: »

the ebay link for digital rev works out about 950e after shipping,

aww its gone !!??? they only have 1 ?
kea photo have simple 40D, i think with default lense, and its 10 euro more !

TelePaul

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Decided to go with the Canon in the end, 400D, brand new, boxed, with EF 24-85mm USM lens and EF 50mm/1.8 lens, spare battery, 2GB memory card, tripod and Lowepro Bag for €750. Not a bad deal - he's en route now, I'll let you know how I got on...

Very cool buy. I think you made the right call on that, you wont be disappointed.