Hi all,
I know little or nothing about photography, but I'm looking to buy a camera for my fiancee, who's a photo BFA and who would like to be able to do some occasional professional work (weddings, etc.) along with more serious hobbywork (basically, art/portraits). She has a Canon SLR from college and wants to move to a Canon DSLR so she can keep her existing lenses. I'd love to buy her one, but I'm not sure I could swing a new 50D, and am thinking about buying a used 50D rather than a new 40D at the same price.
Questions: First, I guess my options are (roughly): (a) A used 50D for $900-$1000, probably off of Craigslist, (b) A new 40D (currently $800 at Adorama), or (c) A used 40D for, um, whatever I could get it for. Is the 50D worth the premium over the 40D - or more to the point, is it worth it to buy a used 50D rather than the new 40D? And if buying new, is it worth it to get the "kit" (holster, extra battery, etc.) vs. just the body? Also, I've noticed the market for used 40Ds seems to be tighter than used 50Ds, making option (c) almost not an option.
Second, if buying used, what should I (or she) look for? How many actuations before we should start getting worried and looking elsewhere? Anything else we should be aware of?
Many thanks for your help. I know this is sort of a pain in the rear end newbie question, but it's really, really appreciated.
--Chris
I know little or nothing about photography, but I'm looking to buy a camera for my fiancee, who's a photo BFA and who would like to be able to do some occasional professional work (weddings, etc.) along with more serious hobbywork (basically, art/portraits). She has a Canon SLR from college and wants to move to a Canon DSLR so she can keep her existing lenses. I'd love to buy her one, but I'm not sure I could swing a new 50D, and am thinking about buying a used 50D rather than a new 40D at the same price.
Questions: First, I guess my options are (roughly): (a) A used 50D for $900-$1000, probably off of Craigslist, (b) A new 40D (currently $800 at Adorama), or (c) A used 40D for, um, whatever I could get it for. Is the 50D worth the premium over the 40D - or more to the point, is it worth it to buy a used 50D rather than the new 40D? And if buying new, is it worth it to get the "kit" (holster, extra battery, etc.) vs. just the body? Also, I've noticed the market for used 40Ds seems to be tighter than used 50Ds, making option (c) almost not an option.
Second, if buying used, what should I (or she) look for? How many actuations before we should start getting worried and looking elsewhere? Anything else we should be aware of?
Many thanks for your help. I know this is sort of a pain in the rear end newbie question, but it's really, really appreciated.
--Chris
They had the canon for $300 and a nikon d40 going for $350 :|
