[Nicholas Gibbs]

I have about £400 to spend on a camera, I would like if possible to get a Digital SLR (2nd hand if need be) what would you recomend I look for?

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Gibbs

I have about £400 to spend on a camera, I would like if possible to get a Digital SLR (2nd hand if need be) what would you recomend I look for?

Canon EOS350D's are pretty popular and you should be able to pick one up for around that amount second-hand I would think...but you also need to budget for lenses depending on what you're going to use it for.

[Pink Fairy]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Gibbs

I have about £400 to spend on a camera, I would like if possible to get a Digital SLR (2nd hand if need be) what would you recomend I look for?

New Nikon D50 dslr body for £398, pick up a used lens for it for next to nothing (though probably not for £2 )

[dood]

alternatively 300D plus lenses for 400.

[Nicholas Gibbs]

Thanks, I will look at what you have suggested, can anybody recomend any good 2nd hand shops etc in London?

[Mark Grant]

Hello Nicholas,

Camera shops will probably be too expensive for second hand, maybe place a few wanted ads and buy from a forum member?

You might find a bargain at a Camera shop, but you wont have any idea who has looked after it or abused it!

A used 10D, 300D or 350D and a Canon 50mm f1.8 would be a good start !

There are of course Nikon Cameras, but I am not familair with model numbers and have never tried any of them, (I only give advice based on actual experience )

Good luck !

Mark.

[Pink Fairy]

Originally Posted by Mark Grant

You might find a bargain at a Camera shop, but you wont have any idea who has looked after it or abused it!


Mark.

Although more expensive to buy used from a camera dealer, you will get some sort of guarantee with it, often 3 to 6 months.

[tomson]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Gibbs

can anybody recomend any good 2nd hand shops etc in London?

http://www.apertureuk.com
6 month warranty on used equipment and they're very helpful people.

Ebay/classifieds might be better with your budget tho - you'll get a bit more for your money.

[Pink Fairy]

Originally Posted by tomson

http://www.apertureuk.com
6 month warranty on used equipment and they're very helpful people.

Yeah, a very good outfit, I bought my 600mm f4 lens from them... they're quite negotiable as well They tend to have more pro gear than budget, but it's well worth checking their online lists every week.

Other good used dealers, though not local are camtech, mifsuds, srs (rayners lane).. ffordes have extensive used lists but I've never dealt with them.

[Nicholas Gibbs]

Thanks for all your suggestions etc, I will have a look around and see what is out there...

[witters]

You can also try:

https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm
http://www.mifsuds.com/
http://www.mifsuds.com/

I've used them all and can recommend any one of them.

[Mark Grant]

Looking at the expensive used DSLR's prices,

How about a new 350D for about £425 ?

Buy a 350D from a UK reputable UK stock dealer for about £525 (Jessops, Warehouse Express etc)

Pay with a Mastercard, then claim £100 cashback, so costs you just £425 approx, a bargain

Canon mastercard cashback link for 350D
http://www.canonmastercardpromotion.com/intro.aspx

A bit more than your £400, but its new and a current model,

Hope that helps,

Mark.