Canon EOS 400D

[Gray_Wolf]

I'm considering saving up for the Canon EOS 400D thanks to advice from someone else. I would like to know the price range in the U.S., and the up-sides, and down-sides to it.

Need some advice.
Senceraly,
Brandon.

[hollis_f]

I'm considering saving up for the Canon EOS 400D thanks to advice from someone else. I would like to know the price range in the U.S., and the up-sides, and down-sides to it.

Need some advice.
Senceraly,
Brandon.

Hi Brandon,

Not being frm your bit of the world I can't help much with prices. I suggest you check out places like Adorama and B&H Photo. Those are two places with a good reputation. Watch out for dodgy-dealers that offer prices that are too good to be true - they normally are.

The upside is that the 400D has a very good pedigree - the 300D and 350D - so any problems should have been well sorted. And 10 megapixels should make for nice images.

The downside is that you'll need much more than the standard kit lens if you're planning on using it for birding. A decent lens is going to cost as much as, or more than, the camera itself.

[Gray_Wolf]

o.o Wow, I don't know if I can afford that then.

Thank you for your help.^^
*Edit* However, I am still very lost at what kind of camera I should get...Maybe I should aim for something much cheaper like the Canon S2 IS, which isn't a SLR camera... What do you think?

Sinceraly,
Brandon.

[UlfL]

*Edit* However, I am still very lost at what kind of camera I should get...Maybe I should aim for something much cheaper like the Canon S2 IS, which isn't a SLR camera... What do you think?
If you seriously want to photograph anything more exotic than ducks and swans at your local pond, you will definitively need a SLR. And since Canon has the best telephoto-lenses, the answer is simple. Buy a Canon DSLR body. Must not be the 400D. The price of the 350D is dropping, which produces images of practically the same quality.

Best regards,
Ulf

[Gray_Wolf]

Alright, I'll go ahead and look that one up too!^^ Many, many thanks.

Someone who wants to photograph birds really bad,
Brandon.

*Edit* You know, maybe I should start out with something less pro and go for cheap. :/

[hollis_f]

*Edit* You know, maybe I should start out with something less pro and go for cheap. :/

For a relatively cheap option I'd have a look at the 350D and the Sigma 70-300mm APO lens. That should set you back around $800 - roughly what you'd pay for a 400D. It'll give you a camera body that would have been unbeatable three years ago and a lens that, whilst not being a great performer, will give good shots of birds (especially in good light).

If you find it's not for you then you should be able to recoup most of the outlay on ebay. If you get hooked then you can start saving for a better lens, then a better body (then an even better lens, then a great lens, then a new body, then some more lenses, then....)

[Gray_Wolf]

Yeah, I checked out ebay. Problem is, I have to rake leafs, shovel snow, and mow lawns to make the money for this camera because I can't get a job... So it's going to take a long time and an aweful lot of work to get this camera. But, I'll keep working.

Thanks for the advice!

[gmax]

Yeah, I checked out ebay. Problem is, I have to rake leafs, shovel snow, and mow lawns to make the money for this camera because I can't get a job... So it's going to take a long time and an aweful lot of work to get this camera. But, I'll keep working.

Thanks for the advice!

All your work will be surely rewarded by the pleasure bird photography may grant you :t:
Max

[Gray_Wolf]

Hehe, thanks.^^

I also may get a job helping maintance people to get 20 to 38 dollars a job. I don't know yet.

I can't wait to begin photographing birds, it's facinating enough just looking at wild birds!

Senceraly,
Brandon.