Need advice...

jrollins · January 5, 2006

A guy at work has a 20D that he has had for about 6 months. He might have used it 10 times. I can get the camera, battery grip, and a spare battery for $1000. First off, would I be a fool to pass it up?

Secondly - I have a Digital Rebel 300D with a brand new grip (got it at Christmas) and a spare battery that is a year old, but I pamper my stuff. Should I be able to get $750 for my gear??

Thanks for listening...

DavidTO · January 5, 2006

I don't know so much about the current pricing, but I'll tell you: I was so incredibly happy when I upgraded from the 300D to the 20D. It's a world of difference. MUCH nicer camera.

jrollins · January 5, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

I don't know so much about the current pricing, but I'll tell you: I was so incredibly happy when I upgraded from the 300D to the 20D. It's a world of difference. MUCH nicer camera.

Indeed. I really want the 5D, but ye old budget won't really allow that one.

DavidTO · January 5, 2006

jrollins wrote:

Indeed. I really want the 5D, but ye old budget won't really allow that one.

I think we're doppelgangers!

Eric&Susan · January 5, 2006

I've been thinking about selling my 300d to upgrade to the 20d so I've been checking alot of prices, mostly at FM.

The 20d's seem to be going for about $1000 average, some as low as $850 some as high as $1150. Obviously the $850 are few and far between and go quickly. I, along with many other, suspect the 20d used price will drop slightly when canon announces their new body, which should be shortly.

As far as used 300d prices I would say $500 is about the average. I've seen some as low as $450 and as high as $600. The grips usually go for about $80-$100.

My .02,

Eric

ScottMcLeod · January 5, 2006

Eric&Susan wrote:

I've been thinking about selling my 300d to upgrade to the 20d so I've been checking alot of prices, mostly at FM.

The 20d's seem to be going for about $1000 average, some as low as $850 some as high as $1150. Obviously the $850 are few and far between and go quickly. I, along with many other, suspect the 20d used price will drop slightly when canon announces their new body, which should be shortly.

As far as used 300d prices I would say $500 is about the average. I've seen some as low as $450 and as high as $600. The grips usually go for about $80-$100.

My .02,

Eric

Selling a 300D on FM is harder than it seems. I'm asking 515$ (basically) + shipping for mine (with a bag), which has 1 click on it, and no one is biting.

I'm seriously debating keeping the camera now.

HeldDown · January 5, 2006

To be honest, I can have a NIB 350D for that price... Scott's right, I think $500 is just about the maximum one can hope to get for a 300d.

As for the 20d, ask yourself whether you'd rather have the body upgrade (instant bootup, 2 more mp, larger buffer, DIG!C2) or put that $500 towards some new glass.

I find too many people are getting baseless cases of Upgraditus; (not that I'm one to criticize). The 300D is a fabulous little body that you're better off shooting into the grave and updating after its funeral. By that time, your $1000 will be better spent on a newer body (or you'll just get a 20D for half of that.)

Just another $0.02 for the jar.

jrollins · January 5, 2006

HeldDown wrote:

To be honest, I can have a NIB 350D for that price... Scott's right, I think $500 is just about the maximum one can hope to get for a 300d.

As for the 20d, ask yourself whether you'd rather have the body upgrade (instant bootup, 2 more mp, larger buffer, DIG!C2) or put that $500 towards some new glass.

I find too many people are getting baseless cases of Upgraditus; (not that I'm one to criticize). The 300D is a fabulous little body that you're better off shooting into the grave and updating after its funeral. By that time, your $1000 will be better spent on a newer body (or you'll just get a 20D for half of that.)

NIB 350D with grip and spare battery for $750? That would be a deal...

The instant bootup would be a REALLY nice feature for me. I have twins and the camera (300D) will go to sleep waiting for the shot, then I miss it waiting for the camera to wake up. 2 extra MP - who couldn't use that?

A few more features make it a bit attractive, like 9 point AF vs 7, the JPEG file is not embedded, 5 FPS for 23 frames vs 2.5 FPS for 4 frames (this is a big one).

I'm borrowing the camera today to see if I think it really makes me THAT much happier, and if I can REALLY tell the difference with the new processor (DIGIC II).

Thanks for the input, I'll let you know what I decide!

mugsytodd · January 6, 2006

Jaime, is that you?
Jaime, is that you? With no intent at sparking a debate and as a message to an old friend, why not just switch to Nikon?
Andrew

jrollins wrote:

NIB 350D with grip and spare battery for $750? That would be a deal...

The instant bootup would be a REALLY nice feature for me. I have twins and the camera (300D) will go to sleep waiting for the shot, then I miss it waiting for the camera to wake up. 2 extra MP - who couldn't use that? A few more features make it a bit attractive, like 9 point AF vs 7, the JPEG file is not embedded, 5 FPS for 23 frames vs 2.5 FPS for 4 frames (this is a big one).

I'm borrowing the camera today to see if I think it really makes me THAT much happier, and if I can REALLY tell the difference with the new processor (DIGIC II).

Thanks for the input, I'll let you know what I decide!

JimM · January 6, 2006

You'll really like the 20D and I think $1,000 is a good price, even better that you can hold it, inspect it, and try it first... plus pay no shipping.

You only live once!

Mike Lane · January 6, 2006

mugsytodd wrote:

Jaime, is that you? With no intent at sparking a debate and as a message to an old friend, why not just switch to Nikon?
Andrew

Definitely consider all your options. Nikons tend to run cheaper than canons. The D200 is somewhere around $1600 if I'm not mistaken (someone correct me please if I'm wrong). Unless you've got a bunch of Canon lenses, maybe Nikon's the way to go?

Then again it sounds like you're just trying to grab a deal while it's hot. I personally would hold off and let the successor to the 20D (whatever it is) drive the 20D price down. You'll be able to get some nifty deals on used 20Ds for the bleeding edgers this year I betcha. Shoot, if the 20D update doesn't support EF-S (who knows if it will or not) you may be in the running for good deals on a body and glass...

Just saying.

jrollins · January 6, 2006

Okay, yeah - I caved and bought it. I've worked with the guy that I bought it from for several years and he is really picky about his equipment. Once I got the box I found out that he had just bought it in May 2005, and I promise it doesn't look like it's been out of the bag.

So, the wife isn't all to pleased but I am a happy camper because this thing is awesome! Call me weak...:D

Thanks for all of the input!

Justiceiro · January 7, 2006

jrollins wrote:

Okay, yeah - I caved and bought it. I've worked with the guy that I bought it from for several years and he is really picky about his equipment. Once I got the box I found out that he had just bought it in May 2005, and I promise it doesn't look like it's been out of the bag.

So, the wife isn't all to pleased but I am a happy camper because this thing is awesome! Call me weak...:D

Thanks for all of the input!

Upgradeitis or not, you'll be happy with that instant bootup. Believe me.

jrollins · January 7, 2006

Justiceiro wrote:

Upgradeitis or not, you'll be happy with that instant bootup. Believe me.

I already am my friend. It's up and going before I can get the camera to my eye - I likey!

Justiceiro · January 7, 2006

jrollins wrote:

I already am my friend. It's up and going before I can get the camera to my eye - I likey!

Thats absolutely the best feature of this camera. A close 2nd is the alloy body.

I lost the BEST SHOT OF MY LIFE because of my old cameras start up time. I was at the bleeker street station platform in mnhattan a year ago, under good light (not a given in the subway), and an MTA conducter was leaning out of the window of the subway engine- had had a massive (think that kid on "my name is earl, or eddie murphy's buckwheat) Afro, with a tiny MTA kepi perched on top of it, and a very serious expression on his face as he scanned the track ahead. Best street shot I never got. By the time the camera booted up, they had already rolled out of the station. That's when I decided to throw down the $1500, I guarantee I could have sold that one and made it all back.

HvnyMem · January 7, 2006

You'll love the 20D. 5fps is a must for shooting sporting events (like twins running around

) and that price with the grip and extra battery can't be beat. Keep the 300d as a backup.

I'd suggest getting a minimum of a gig CF card. I filled a 4gb microdrive in 4 hours shooting the finals of an armwrestling tournament in Vegas. 1250 pics in large jpeg.

jrollins · January 7, 2006

HvnyMem wrote:

You'll love the 20D. 5fps is a must for shooting sporting events (like twins running around ) and that price with the grip and extra battery can't be beat. Keep the 300d as a backup.

I'd suggest getting a minimum of a gig CF card. I filled a 4gb microdrive in 4 hours shooting the finals of an armwrestling tournament in Vegas. 1250 pics in large jpeg.

I've got a Sandisk Extreme III 1GB, but it looks like I'm gonna need at least one more 1GB if not a 2GB CF. It never ends...

Need advice...

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