50D for $800? Yay or nay

[jrizal]

Ok, then what camera should I be buying for around that price?

D60 body only is $899. Dunno if Target still sells it. But Target recently put the T2i for $499. But IMO the T3i deal from Costco is the best one so far.

 

[unpopular]

^^ but with a plastic body and pentamirror with 0.85x magnification. If the 50d has the same chip, all you're really paying for is newness.

 

[Jewny]

WOW! that seems like a really good price then! The only problem I could see with that is the telephoto lens, as I would probably never use it!
what's the difference between a pentamirror and a pentaprism?

 

[jrizal]

^^ but with a plastic body and pentamirror with 0.85x magnification. If the 50d has the same chip, all you're really paying for is newness.

Major gripe is the plastic body (polycarbonate) for the 60D against magnesium alloy for the 50D AFAIK.

 

[unpopular]

Unless anyone has any specific, eperience-based reasons, I really think the 50D has the best cost/performance ratio here - at least that is how it looks from a distance.

 

[jrizal]

WOW! that seems like a really good price then! The only problem I could see with that is the telephoto lens, as I would probably never use it!
what's the difference between a pentamirror and a pentaprism?

Noticed you are from Canada so prices I quoted may not apply. But a telephoto lens can be handy especially if you go on vacation.

BTW, noticed that Best Buy Canada has a good deal on the T3i. Canon T3i DSLR w/ EF 50mm f1.8 II & EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens, SanDisk 32GB SDHC & Roots Bag : DSLR Packages - Best Buy Canada This if you exclude the prime lens is almost the same deal as Costco USA. The T2i deal on Costco Canada isn't so good IMO. Costco - Canon® EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP Digital SLR Camera Bundle With the bundle from Best Buy Canada, you'll have the trinity of lenses - kit, zoom, and prime. IMO, it's worth shelling out some dollars now compared to the immediate savings. Also, once you have those lenses you'll use them. If not, there's always eBay.

 

[unpopular]

what's the difference between a pentamirror and a pentaprism?

Sorry. I didn't see this. A pentaprism will be significantly brighter than the pentamirror. It might seem like a little thing now, but once you get over the initial excitement of owning your first DSLR, you'll start wishing that you had a better viewfinder. This especially so if you've had previous experience with a film SLR.

BTW - the current exchange rate between USD and CAD are fairly similar. A $500 USD 50D will cost $520 CAD

 

[jrizal]

Unless anyone has any specific, eperience-based reasons, I really think the 50D has the best cost/performance ratio here - at least that is how it looks from a distance.

My cousin has a 50D and I've used it at times. Body against body and for taking pictures, the 50D wins hands down. But the T2i has other features such as video and LiveView. The brand new price of a 50D is still steep and so is a used one IMO. If the 60D only has a metal body and uses a pentamirror and not a pentaprism I believe. But these is the reason why a brand new 60D is cheaper than the 50D. Canon really cut some corners here.

 

[Jewny]

Ok so most of you guys are suggesting the 50D, now the question is: is the 50D with the 2 lenses I mentioned earlier worth the $800 price tag? If not what should I do?

 

[unpopular]

There was a time when all cameras were made of metal!

Under the black paint of this one was brass alloy

When I used this camera, I fantasized that I could just beat anyone with it who tried to mug me for it. I'm looking at my a350 plastic fantastic and am pretty sure that wouldn't work out so well.

 

[unpopular]

The 50mm lens goes for about $60-120 USD on ebay. The other lens is relatively fast, but might also be complete junk, like a Tamron from 1996 or something. Still, it should be worth something, and wide zooms aren't usually cheap, especially at f/2.8, even if the aperture isn't fixed. The canon people don't seem to be familiar with this lens, so who knows.

If the zoom lens were a $200 lens, and the body a $500 and the 50mm around $100, it's prob a decent, but not spectacular buy.

I think you'd be better off getting a 50D and spending the remainder on a better known lens.

 

[Jewny]

Ok I see what you're saying. I will ask him and find out exactly what the lenses are.

 

[jrizal]

what's the difference between a pentamirror and a pentaprism?

Sorry. I didn't see this. A pentaprism will be significantly brighter than the pentamirror. It might seem like a little thing now, but once you get over the initial excitement of owning your first DSLR, you'll start wishing that you had a better viewfinder. This especially so if you've had previous experience with a film SLR.

BTW - the current exchange rate between USD and CAD are fairly similar. A $500 USD 50D will cost $520 CAD

Pentaprism AFAIK is a solid piece of glass instead of multi-pieces used in pentamirrors which makes the latter cheaper. As mentioned by unpopular, pentaprisms are brighter.

 

[jrizal]

Ok so most of you guys are suggesting the 50D, now the question is: is the 50D with the 2 lenses I mentioned earlier worth the $800 price tag? If not what should I do?

Check condition of body and shutter count if you are really interested in the D50. The added lenses should be a bonus. None of the models mentioned are really bad though - T2i, T3i, 50D, 60D. This coming from a Nikon guy who has friends and relatives having all these cameras. Probably the argument here is about value or cash outlay. A solid but used model such as the 50D against new models such as the T2i/T3i. Do check out the price of a used 50D body only in Canada and see if there is a substantial price difference too.

 

[jrizal]

Ok I see what you're saying. I will ask him and find out exactly what the lenses are.

Is the second lens a Sigma? Not sure if Canon has one a 17-50mm lens. BTW, Sigma is a cheaper than Tamron.

Checkout the link below and see if the second lens is either a Sigma or a Tamron.

http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/sigma-17-50mm-f2-8-vs-canon-17-55mm-f2-8-and-tamron-17-50mm-f2-8/