Questions about buying used DSLR

ilovelucydog · Mar 30, 2015

Hello! I'm new to the photography board. I'm jumping in with a question!!!

I used to shoot with a Canon Xsi. I loved it! But, with raising children and having a very active lifestyle, it got to be too much carrying a big camera around. I sold my entire set-up and bought a mirrorless Sony. It has been fine enough, but I don't love it. It takes great pics, but it's just not for me. So, fast forward 3 years and I want another DSLR. My friend has offered me her Canon 50D and a Tamron 28-75 2.8 for $650. The camera and lens have been meticulously maintained. When she bought her new camera, she sent the Canon in to have a check up and maintenance. I've been using it the last few weeks and I love it. A couple concerns for me though.

1. It's heavier than my previous DSLR. I have really bad tendonitis in my shoulders and it even hurts carrying a purse for a long period of time. I'm wondering if a Black Rapid strap would help??

2. There's no video. Do I need it?

3. It's an old model. Does that matter?

Would I be better off buying a new camera? I would really appreciate some thoughts and opinions.

mom2rtk · Mar 30, 2015

The Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is worth more (even used) than what she's asking. (Used copies are selling for $750-$800 on Ebay right now.) Jump on it. Consider the body a bonus.

It's an awesome lens.

ilovelucydog · Mar 30, 2015

Oops! It's a 28-75 2.8. I edited my original post! Sorry!

mom2rtk · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
Oops! It's a 28-75 2.8. I edited my original post! Sorry!

OK, sorry. I'm not familiar with that lens so I can't comment on it.

havoc315 · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
Oops! It's a 28-75 2.8. I edited my original post! Sorry!

Still a very good lens. Just lacks stabilization, silent AF. But optically, it's very good. You'll need to keep your shutter speed up to avoid camera shake.

Whether you need video is really up to you. I so rarely use video -- and even when I do, I just pull out my phone -- that I personally wouldn't miss video.

bob100 · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
Hello! I'm new to the photography board. I'm jumping in with a question!!!

I used to shoot with a Canon Xsi. I loved it! But, with raising children and having a very active lifestyle, it got to be too much carrying a big camera around. I sold my entire set-up and bought a mirrorless Sony. It has been fine enough, but I don't love it. It takes great pics, but it's just not for me. So, fast forward 3 years and I want another DSLR. My friend has offered me her Canon 50D and a Tamron 28-75 2.8 for $650. The camera and lens have been meticulously maintained. When she bought her new camera, she sent the Canon in to have a check up and maintenance. I've been using it the last few weeks and I love it. A couple concerns for me though.

1. It's heavier than my previous DSLR. I have really bad tendonitis in my shoulders and it even hurts carrying a purse for a long period of time. I'm wondering if a Black Rapid strap would help??

2. There's no video. Do I need it?

3. It's an old model. Does that matter?

Would I be better off buying a new camera? I would really appreciate some thoughts and opinions.

you can check used DSLR and lens prices on these forums

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php?full

if weight and size is a concern look at a refurbished 60D - it's smaller and lighter and newer than the older 50D and sells for around $450 (includes one year warranty)
I would definitely check the shutter count buying any used DSLR (mechanical shutters are the first to go!)
I don't think the strap helps with weight issues, just makes it more accessible
I also don't use video much but others find it useful
not familiar with the lens but many say 28mm on a crop model is not wide enough

havoc315 · Mar 30, 2015

bob100 said:
you can check used DSLR and lens prices on these forums

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php?full

if weight and size is a concern look at a refurbished 60D - it's smaller and lighter and newer than the older 50D and sells for around $450 (includes one year warranty)
I would definitely check the shutter count buying any used DSLR (mechanical shutters are the first to go!)
I don't think the strap helps with weight issues, just makes it more accessible
I also don't use video much but others find it useful
not familiar with the lens but many say 28mm on a crop model is not wide enough

I will say that a really good strap does help with weight, it re-distributes the weight. Yesterday, I was using the D750 with 70-200/4 for hours. It's a very heavy combination, (though a bit lighter than a 70-200/2.8). With a neck strap, my back and neck are sore in an hour. But with a blackrapid sport, the weight goes around my shoulder instead, and it is far far less noticeable. With a smaller lens, I barely feel the camera at all when using the shoulder strap as opposed to a neck strap.

zackiedawg · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
I sold my entire set-up and bought a mirrorless Sony. It has been fine enough, but I don't love it. It takes great pics, but it's just not for me. So, fast forward 3 years and I want another DSLR.

I'm just tossing this out there as a side-point - that might be worth a consideration...if it's been 3 years or more since you bought your last mirrorless model, you MAY also keep your mind open to a new mirrorless body, which would allow you to maintain the size convenience, and maybe keep a few lenses. The main reason I mention it is that mirrorless models have changed drastically in 3 years - and when I say drastically, I mean they are completely, 100% different tools than they once were. Compare the much more recent Sony A6000 mirrorless to a 3-year-old Sony NEX-5N model: completely new menus, completely new Fn quick-navi menu, 2 jog wheels, 8 custom buttons, 4 more dedicated body buttons, shooting mode wheel, built-in viewfinder, built-in flash shoe, PDAF-on-sensor focusing system with DSLR-level tracking and continuous focus, 11fps shooting, huge buffer, 24MP sensor, and different processor. There's probably more that I'm not thinking of, but sufficeth to say they've addressed many issues that early NEX adapters found annoying or frustrating, and in a lot of ways made the cameras much more familiar and comfortable to use for DSLR shooters, who didn't like the phone-style menus and simplified controls.

You may still prefer to go back to a DSLR, but I would just be sure you know just how much the mirrorless models have changed in the years since you first got one - you may find the new models addressed all the reasons you didn't fall in love with your first one, and still give you the compact size and convenience that drew you to it in the first place.

ilovelucydog · Mar 30, 2015

Thank you so much for all your consideration and thoughts. I really appreciate the links to the other 2 sites.

sharona · Mar 30, 2015

I wouldn't buy it if the weight is going to be an issue, you'll just end up leaving it at home or in your hotel so you don't have to "lug" it. Get something lighter, there are so many options out there.

ilovelucydog · Mar 30, 2015

My husband thinks I should upgrade my mirrorless body to a more current one. He thinks the DSLR is going to hurt my shoulders during long days at Disneyland. The thing I dislike most about my current mirrorless is that there is no viewfinder. It's awful not having one. I see that some of the new ones have an actual viewfinder. Love that! Is Sony the best way to go?

ilovelucydog · Mar 30, 2015

Another option is the smaller Canon DSLR the SL1. Any thoughts on that?

SkaGoat · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
Another option is the smaller Canon DSLR the SL1. Any thoughts on that?

good idea, you can get a used SL1 for under $500, a new one with the 18-55 kit is $499

sharona · Mar 30, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
My husband thinks I should upgrade my mirrorless body to a more current one. He thinks the DSLR is going to hurt my shoulders during long days at Disneyland. The thing I dislike most about my current mirrorless is that there is no viewfinder. It's awful not having one. I see that some of the new ones have an actual viewfinder. Love that! Is Sony the best way to go?

I know what you mean about the viewfinder. I have a Sony p&s that takes great shots but has no viewfinder. I don't use it very often but when I do I am constantly holding it up to my face out of habit.

zackiedawg · Mar 31, 2015

ilovelucydog said:
My husband thinks I should upgrade my mirrorless body to a more current one. He thinks the DSLR is going to hurt my shoulders during long days at Disneyland. The thing I dislike most about my current mirrorless is that there is no viewfinder. It's awful not having one. I see that some of the new ones have an actual viewfinder. Love that! Is Sony the best way to go?

Indeed - that is one of the biggest updates with many of the newer mirrorless. Big menu changes, and big focus speed and continuous focus improvements, and high ISO performance as well. The Sony A6000 is definitely a very good option to consider - it's one of the highest rated cameras of the last year - has a viewfinder, and can be purchased body-only for around $549...it would be a huge improvement over your current body, and you wouldn't have to spend on lenses - you can use whatever lenses you already have, and even keep your old camera's battery as a backup battery which saves a little money too.

If you did want to look at other systems, then take a look at the Olympus E-M10, which has a viewfinder and runs around $600, and the Panasonic GX7 which can be found in the $400-500 range, also with a viewfinder. The Canon SL1 might also be worth a look - it's smaller than most DSLRs, though quite a bit chunkier than many of the mirrorless options. If you have more than one lens for your current NEX, it probably would be the cheapest and easiest options to move to the A6000 body-only and keep using your current charger, battery, and lenses.

havoc315 · Mar 31, 2015

zackiedawg said:
I'm just tossing this out there as a side-point - that might be worth a consideration...if it's been 3 years or more since you bought your last mirrorless model, you MAY also keep your mind open to a new mirrorless body, which would allow you to maintain the size convenience, and maybe keep a few lenses. The main reason I mention it is that mirrorless models have changed drastically in 3 years - and when I say drastically, I mean they are completely, 100% different tools than they once were. Compare the much more recent Sony A6000 mirrorless to a 3-year-old Sony NEX-5N model: completely new menus, completely new Fn quick-navi menu, 2 jog wheels, 8 custom buttons, 4 more dedicated body buttons, shooting mode wheel, built-in viewfinder, built-in flash shoe, PDAF-on-sensor focusing system with DSLR-level tracking and continuous focus, 11fps shooting, huge buffer, 24MP sensor, and different processor. There's probably more that I'm not thinking of, but sufficeth to say they've addressed many issues that early NEX adapters found annoying or frustrating, and in a lot of ways made the cameras much more familiar and comfortable to use for DSLR shooters, who didn't like the phone-style menus and simplified controls.

You may still prefer to go back to a DSLR, but I would just be sure you know just how much the mirrorless models have changed in the years since you first got one - you may find the new models addressed all the reasons you didn't fall in love with your first one, and still give you the compact size and convenience that drew you to it in the first place.

It's all a comment on Sony's original strategy, and how it changed when the market surprised them.
They saw NEX as an upgrade for point and shooters, too intimidated by dslrs. Original advertising focused on dslr quality with point and shoot ease.

Turned out... Point and shooters were simply turning to their phones, not upgrading. But dslr owners liked the smaller form factor of Sony mirrorless. So they changed the system entirely, gearing it towards dslr users and enthusiast --more advanced controls and menus. They have even started to refer to the cameras as dslrs.

jamez2014 · Mar 31, 2015

Personally it Sounds like you would be best suited to a fuji x series camera, the x-pro1 would be a good shout tbh, I have a 50d its a cracking camera but if weights a concern I would be looking at the fuji offerings....I've been closer more times than I care to imagine to buying a xpro-1

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