Best DSLR I might be able to find cheap on craigslist?

[oftpiste]

Yeah, I'm cheap. I do have a couple of older SLR short and long-ish zoom Nikon AF lenses (not high end) so a Nikon body might be the ticket? I want to take some decent video and stills of my kids on the ski hill with a longer lens than my G12.

Any advice on a bombproof kind of camera I could find and what I should pay for it? All the model numbers put me into apoplexy when I go through the ads and could use some direction from those better versed in such things.

[Max Archer]

D90. Anything lower-end won't work with older AF lenses and the older equivalents of the D90 (D80, D70, D50) aren't worth it at this point. I'd look into a refurb one or at least see what you can find on a photo forum rather than CL though.

[systemoverblow'd]

Just be aware that camera is 720p24 (which I edit in almost exclusively) but just didn't want you to think it was 1080p.

[oftpiste]

not glued to the nikon thing if there're better alternatives....

[sklar]

t2i's can be had for pretty cheap nowadays

what's your budget?

[oftpiste]

don't really have a set budget, basically want to steal something decent as that's pretty much how I buy everything!

[Hugh Conway]

craigslist for camera's? +++++vibes+++++

[oftpiste]

hence the cheap part. bad idea?

[geomorph]

Canon T1i is 287 refurbished right now. That cheap enough?
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_227015_-1

[oftpiste]

is that a good deal on a decent rig? what will a long-ish lens run me? sorry to be such a camera jong. Back in the 70's I knew everything about cameras!



yikes. that deal turns into pumpkin tomorrow night.

since I still need a lens maybe I should go with the refurb T2i or T3i body? What long lens then?

[geomorph]

Smmokan was selling a 70-300 is for 300, I've heard good things about that

[uglymoney]

T2i with 70-200 F4L without IS. Cheap and the photos will blow you away.





I'm seriously considering selling my T2i and moving to a 5d mark ii now that they are within reach.

[oftpiste]

maybe cl ain't the place to do this! T3i's are more there than on the refurb canon site.

Think I'm going to try the loyalty program.

[bfree]

If you're going Canon, T2i or T3i with the 70-200, as mentioned above. Killer setup.

CL is very good and cheaper than the Loyalty Program, if you're patient. A lot of people think their shit is worth gold, but often times you'll find very good deals too.

[systemoverblow'd]

If you can find a significant price difference for t2i over the t3i, jump on it. I don't feel the t3i is worth any extra money.

[oftpiste]

can I do better than:

T3i w/18-55 kit for $351.99
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom for $159.99 less 50% when purchased with camera
another 20% off for loyalty ends up being around $350 for the whole deal.

Seems pretty good. or not?

[systemoverblow'd]

ugh yeah, I would say that is a lot of bang for $350. I'm sure eventually you may want to get better lenses but for $350 I can't see how you could go wrong with that setup.

[geomorph]

Looking at the Canon site, I think you're looking at the T3, not the T3i. There's a big difference in video especially between the two. I think the T3 only does 720p IIRC. Pretty comparable to the T1i I think, but the T2i or T3i are going to be way better for video.

[oftpiste]

^^ you're right by gum! so I should maybe go with the T2i as opposed to the T3? of dourse the T2i's all appear to be out of stock.

[oftpiste]

just noticed there's another $60 off today. might just have to pull the trigger.

[systemoverblow'd]

Don't go with any of the t#'s if there is no "I" after the number. t2i or t3i. Great value camera. They basically have the same sensor as the 7D. Its the different and extra processor that makes the 7D shoot faster and handle higher ISO's better. Those cameras are awesome, don't hesitate if you get a good price.

[oftpiste]

man, this shit's a moving target. the half off lens deal disappeared with the appearance of the $60 off deal.

Also found a Nikon D5100 refurb body only for $350 and I do have those two Nikon lenses.

Thanks for all the input. it's really helping me navigate.

Edit: never mind the Nikon. My lenses aren't AFs but just AF. Sheesh.

[Tippster]

craigslist for camera's? +++++vibes+++++

I just got a 40D today off Craig'slist for $280. Best recently on Fred Miranda was $300. <40k shutter actuations, charger, two memory cards, strap, and a fucking brand new bag. The FM was body only no extras.

My daughter is going to flip out when she opens her b-day present tomorrow.

[Max Archer]

man, this shit's a moving target. the half off lens deal disappeared with the appearance of the $60 off deal.

Also found a Nikon D5100 refurb body only for $350 and I do have those two Nikon lenses.

Thanks for all the input. it's really helping me navigate.

Edit: never mind the Nikon. My lenses aren't AFs but just AF. Sheesh.

Yeah, the AF-S/AF situation sucks. It's one of the many ways Nikon has made it clear that the entry-level first-time buyer is their highest priority, the rich first-time buyer is their second, and everybody else falls way behind. They make great gear but they've been ignoring serious amateurs who aren't completely loaded lately, and haven't been focusing nearly enough on pros, especially those of us who need lighter weight gear or don't shoot certain subjects enough to need the top-tier gear. (I'm sick of renting a 200-400/4 or 500/4 for $500 a week when if I were on Canon, I could buy a 100-400 that would be totally adequate for my uses, and would be a helluva lot easier to schlep around, for like $1500.)

[oftpiste]

^^so, the difference is that the S lenses have their own AF motor for the motorless bodies (models are ?) and the non-S lenses are for bodies with built in motors (models are ?), right?