Canon Rebel XT value?

[bumski]

My buddy gave me a Canon Rebel XT w/ an extra lens (can't remember the size), top mounted flash, and a case. I take a lot of pictures with an Olympus waterproof point and shoot and have always been interested in a DSLR but have zero experience with one. He more or less gave me the camera but I want to make it fair by getting him a point & shoot or $. What do you think a fair dollar value is considering the fact that he would just give me the thing? I want to begin expanding my photography. Is this camera a good starting point for a DSLR newb that takes a lot of landscape pictures and has minimal photoshop skills? Or should I save up for something newer? Thanks

[JayPowHound]

Extra lens and flash are potentially worth more than the body itself.. need more info tho

[smmokan]

I'd say the XT is probably worth $200 by itself. It's definitely a capable camera body to learn with, but you're going to want a new one pretty quickly if you plan on advancing with your photography.

[Lonnie]

Here's ebay's completed listings and KEH.com for the Rebel XT body only. Take into account that only the "green" listing on e-bay actually sold, and the KEH would be "retail" or "high retail" for the used market.

I'm guessing he gave you the "kit lens" and here's the KEH.com listing for that one.

Based on those sources, you can figure out what's fair to offer him.

[HankScorpio]

I had a Rebel XT for a couple years. It was a greater starter camera but you'll want something more advanced once you start to pursue photography. I'd hold onto it for a while, its a easy camera to learn on.

[time2clmb]

There's really no reason to upgrade your camera if you are learning how to use a DSLR...it's a perfect camera for learning and if you are doing nothing more with your photos other than putting them online you don't need more MP's. And since you are learning from scratch more advanced features will only confuse you.

I sold my XT with manuals, all parts, intervolometer remote, kit lens and 2 filters for $230.

[bumski]

Lenses:
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
Flash:
Vivitar Auto Thyristor 2800
Case:
Lowepro Off Trail I

I do have a ton to learn in the DSLR world and taking other than scenery, landscape, or sunset photos. I am looking for more than online photo sharing though. I have framed a few larger prints (16"x20") taken with my Olympus TG-810 (12MP point n shoot) and I hope to do more of this. Friends, family, and myself have been pretty happy with the results. Granted none of us have a trained eye in any way. I'm not sure how the whole MP thing compares. A lot of info online and it sounds like sensor and other things may be equally important... not sure how that equates to printing large though.

[Lonnie]

If you want to make this fair, here's what I personally would do if I were in your position. The first $ is basically the top going price on the street. The second $ is what I think a fair offer between friends would be. FWIW, the 18-55 lens and the 75-300 will still work on other APS-C cannon bodies if you decide to upgrade (but I'm sure you know this already).

Body $150 $125

Lenses:
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II $100 $75
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III $75 $50
Flash:
Vivitar Auto Thyristor 2800 >$20 $0-$10
Case:
Lowepro Off Trail I >$25 $0-$15

So you're looking at around $250-$275 as a fair barter price for the setup. That would do a pretty nice little P&S cam.

[smmokan]

It's not the IS version of the 18-55mm lens, it's the original non-IS.... which means it's essentially worthless in terms of monetary value.

[Lonnie]

It's not the IS version of the 18-55mm lens, it's the original non-IS.... which means it's essentially worthless in terms of monetary value.

Well, there you go. Good catch Steve.

[bumski]

Cool. Thanks guys. He has been wanting a bombproof point n shoot so I think I'll just do a straight over trade and pick up another one later for my personal use. That should force me to learn the DSLR now. Value wise it looks like that would slightly be in my advantage. I do like the idea of learning on a more basic SLR because even as it is now I'm a little overwhelmed with the creative/manual functions. Hopefully I'll figure this out and be upgrading soon.