Canon EOS Rebel 8.0 Megapixel 350 D questions

[angelmom]

I am looking at getting a camera off of Craigslist. I want a camera that will take good pictures indoors for gym and classroom type settings. Kids on stage, programs, dance, etc. I currently have a canon pwershot Sd700 that is a great small camera, but not good for these types of settings. How well will this camera work for those settings?

 

[ukcatfan]

With tough lighting, it has more to do with the lens than the camera body. One piece of advice on a Craigslist purchase, be sure to find out the shutter actuation count. I personally would not buy it if it is over 10-15K with new bodies being so cheap these days. I believe that you can find the count in the image EXIF data for Canon cameras. It is not the same as image number.

 

[alan]

I am looking at getting a camera off of Craigslist. I want a camera that will take good pictures indoors for gym and classroom type settings. Kids on stage, programs, dance, etc. I currently have a canon pwershot Sd700 that is a great small camera, but not good for these types of settings. How well will this camera work for those settings?

Tricky. The 350D is a fine camera. I have one, it's my main camera. All of the pictures on http://www.stagepics.co.uk were taken with it. But you have a couple of things to think about:

1) The camera could easily be three or more years old now. That's probably like buying a ten year old car. You might get a beauty... or you might get a total lemon. I'd be very nervous about buying one without having a good chance to play with it first.

2) As ukcatfan said, you will very soon find that buying an SLR is not a one-off purchase, but is an invitation to buy lots more stuff - especially lenses. I've easily spent twice the cost of my camera on lenses. It's the ability to use different lenses that makes the camera flexible.

Before you leap, I would advise you to check out the cost of the Canon EOS1000 for comparison - at least it would be new and covered by warranty, and from memory its specs seemed very similar to the 350D

regards,
/alan

 

[wdwwishes]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel xti and still love it but with today's technology changing so much, it is an outdated body. It has a lot of great features though, continues to suit my needs and at 8 or so megapixels will allow me to print regulars images as well as larger ones. I would certainly invest in a camera body that you feel will last you several years and has fetures and functions that you will actually use. I would certainly take megapixels into account but at 8 you really will have what you need. As far as your shooting conditions that's where your lens come into play and make taking your pictures a success more than your camera itself. My advice for anyone making a new purchase like this is to yes, do the internet research but more importantly get into the camera shop and talk to the staff, play with the cameras and lens themselves. Some camera shops offer rental equipment. You may go so far as to see if you can rent what you're looking at for a day and really play around. Good luck with your decision and purchase!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Tricky. The 350D is a fine camera. I have one, it's my main camera. All of the pictures on http://www.stagepics.co.uk were taken with it. But you have a couple of things to think about:

1) The camera could easily be three or more years old now. That's probably like buying a ten year old car. You might get a beauty... or you might get a total lemon. I'd be very nervous about buying one without having a good chance to play with it first.

2) As ukcatfan said, you will very soon find that buying an SLR is not a one-off purchase, but is an invitation to buy lots more stuff - especially lenses. I've easily spent twice the cost of my camera on lenses. So have I, and I only have three lenses!!! It's the ability to use different lenses that makes the camera flexible.

Before you leap, I would advise you to check out the cost of the Canon EOS1000 for comparison - at least it would be new and covered by warranty, and from memory its specs seemed very similar to the 350D

regards,
/alan

addionally to a "fast" lens that will help get low light shots, You want a camera body that can produce better high ISO shots (less noise) when compared to other camera bodies.

Mikeee

 

[angelmom]

CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT 350D 8.0 MP SLR CAMERA WITH INSTRUCTION MANUAL & POCKET GUIDE
CANON ZOOM LENS EF 75-300MM 1:4-5.6 III W/CANON 58MM UV HAZE FILTER
CANON ZOOM LENS EFS 18-55MM 1:3.5-5.6 II
Tamron-F 2X AF TELE-CONVERTER for CANON EOS WITH INSTRUCTIONS.
CANON CB-2LW BATTERY CHARGER
(1) CANON NB-2LH LI-ION BATTERIES
SANDISK ULTRA II 1GB COMPACT FLASH CARD
This is what it comes with for $475. Does that seem like a good deal?

 

[Frantasmic]

I don't know, but suspect that you are purchasing a camera that someone else is traded up for. They may have gotten a D40 or D50, but there was something about their camera that didn't fit their shooting style.

With the deals in the paper today, you'd be better with one of Nikon's D40 or D60, IMO.