am I mad?

[Leon]

I have been watching a couple of FZ50's on ebay, they generally sell for £100 ish 2nd hand, has anyone on here bought a 2nd hand camera?, would you buy 2nd hand?

 

the FZ50 is the only Panasonic bridge I have seen with manual focus and manual zoom like a DSLR lens, plus it has a hotshoe, I would only use it for portrait and macro stuff.  otherwise I'm going to start looking for a HS10/20 on the bay of E

[Black Pearl]

I bought used equipment when we sold it at work but not lately.

 

I'd hang on and get a Fujifilm HS20 - properly brilliant camera.

[Phil]

My first DSLR (Canon 350D) was bought 2nd hand from eBay with no problems at all. It eventually finished up in the kitchen sink one drunken Xmas night a couple of years later so I claimed on the insurance and received a new 450D in replacement.

 

Had the 450 for 3 years then sold it last August and bought a 7D, again from eBay with no problems.

[colinb]

never bought a camera but 2 x lens and other stuff, never had a problem but I do try to get one close to where In live so I can go and pick it up myself, giving it a good look over.

 

Only negative (ish) comment I would make Leon,  is if you wish to go forward with your photography wouldn't a used dslr be better?

[Leon]

I bought used equipment when we sold it at work but not lately.

 

I'd hang on and get a Fujifilm HS20 - properly brilliant camera.

I want the FZ because I already have filters, and spare batteries ext ...the HS's are 58mm threads I think, plus they take AA's my kids will just nick them for thier toys and stuff like last time!!

[Leon]

never bought a camera but 2 x lens and other stuff, never had a problem but I do try to get one close to where In live so I can go and pick it up myself, giving it a good look over.

 

Only negative (ish) comment I would make Leon,  is if you wish to go forward with your photography wouldn't a used dslr be better?

I would love to splash out on a DSLR , I can afford to buy a body but all the other bits to go with it will cost me near a grand?    I'm bidding £40 on the FZ50, DSLR will have to wait a couple of years, a newer car is up on the list before a hobby

[colinb]

I would love to splash out on a DSLR , I can afford to buy a body but all the other bits to go with it will cost me near a grand?    I'm bidding £40 on the FZ50, DSLR will have to wait a couple of years, a newer car is up on the list before a hobby

 

I too can understand the need to budget and £40 sounds like a bargain

[Leon]

ah well, it went for £91.00!!!  my max bid wes £65

 

the wife has agreed to let me splash out a little, opinions please, what would you buy with a modest budget of £300? 2nd hand DSLR or a newer bridge like a Fz150 or maybe HS20 ?

 

I'd prefer full manual focusing and a hotshoe, not to bothered about zoom lens as i'll be keeping my FZ45 the new camera will be used for portraits and macro mostly, give the Raxnox a good go soon as I can

Edited March 27, 2013 by mrwall

[Black Pearl]

Canon EOS1000D:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-1000D-DSLR-18-55mm-IS-AF-lens-Excellent-/271179702220?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item3f2391dfcc

 

Canon EOS450D:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-450D-dSLR-18-55mm-IS-Kit-Bundle-Excellent-Condition-/271174730386?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item3f23460292

 

Nikon D3100:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D3100-DSLR-Body-AF-S-DX-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-G-VR-Lens-Kit-UK-Model-New-/160997128038?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item257c2d3766

 

Sony A57:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-SLTA57K-16-1-Megapixel-DSLR-Camera-with-18-55mm-/281084157083?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4171ebdc9b

 

Lots of fantastic cameras on eBay.

The 1100D is a good basic camera, the 450D is a bit older but still a nice camera, the Nikon is a crackin' bit of kit and the Alpha is cutting (isn) edge.

Read some reviews and take you pick.

[colinb]

I'm Nikon biased but not sure I would recommend the 3100, nothing wrong with it but it will only take the new G series lens which are expensive and it does have its limitations for anyone other than a beginner.

 

2nd hand value - take a look at LCE, I put together a used Nikon D80 with a good working lens for under £300. I still have and use my D80, it maybe getting on but it still takes great pictures and is capable of using older cheaper D series lens

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/   

 

For new cameras I would also search Portus Digitals' site, I know this D5100  is £50 over your budget but is a better camera than the D3100 - worth a look around their site for other brands and do a match with ebay sellers.

http://www.portusdigital.com/cameras/dslr-cameras/nikon-d5100-dslr-camera-18-55mm-vr-lens.html

 

 

If you are going 'bridge' don't forget Fujis' reconditioned cameras all sold by Fuji with their guarantee

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras?cat=48

 

* bit of a footnote... if you get confused by Nikons D, G,etc lens numbering and not sure about what and where just shout I'm sure we can help.

 

hope this helps

Colin

Edited March 28, 2013 by colinb

[Guest DaveW]

I would go for a second-hand DSLR if you can just for the flexibility.  Don't get hung up on megapixels as 8-10 are more than good enough on the ASP-C sized sensor and you will not see any difference with more on a computer screen or the average sized prints, which is anyway how most of us view images these days. A quality lens is often more important than the camera itself regarding resolution.

 

As to Nikon lens compatibility see:-

 

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

 

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm

 

Personally, as BP lists, I would stick to the traditional major camera manufacturers (Sony is really Minolta in a new guise, so really one of the traditional manufacturers) since more specialised equipment and older lenses are available to fit them.

Edited March 28, 2013 by DaveW

[NannyFerret]

Argos have some cameras on ebay uk. Heres one that you may be interested in and there are a few others too.  It's only a few pounds more than your budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NIKON-D3100-14MP-DSLR-CAMERA-/360561220878?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item53f31f9d0e&_sid=2048038

It looks like they have it at the same price in the Argos stores too.

Edited March 28, 2013 by NannyFerret

[Leon]

thanks very much for the replies, I will over the next few days weigh up my options

I'll report back with any new purchase

[Phil]

Just to add my two penneth, I would seriously consider going down the DSLR route. Regardless of which model you choose you'll have far more control over your shots.

[Leon]

well guys, many thanks for the replies but I overspent a little on a newer car, so the camera will have to be put off for another year

 

will admin please lock this topic or delete?

[Phil]

Locked as requested.