The dilemma

[Huggy]

Hi All,

I know that this has been asked alot previously but I just cant decide.

I am new to photography, complete newbie :) my previous camera was a fuji 4700 zoom.

My problem is this, should I get a new 300D kit, battery grip or take a plunge and get the 10D from the canon outlet on ebay.

The outlet places the 10D within an affordable price range. My ownly concern is that the equipment is referbished.

I will be mainly using which ever camera for landscapes, action and profile photos and the camera needs to be durable due to my mountaineering hobby.

I am sorry if this is a stupid question. I just cant make the decision :S

Has anyone dealt with the Canon Outlet and had positive results?

Hope you can advise me :)

Gareth

[sGu]

there is a simple rule, if money is not in the equation, always go for better body and better glass. If there is a budget, always get the best out of it, both body and glass accordingly, which depends on your photography choice

[psk4363]

The wise words of sGu are very true.

But, you mention mountaineering as a hobby - this brings up images of cold, very cold, temperatures and a possible problem with the cold and moisture affecting the D-SLR's functioning. I have to say I'd be reluctant to take an expensive camera body with me in those environments - have you considered a more rugged body for those occasions? Such as a second-hand EOS 1? Or even a cheap little mechanical camera like the Pentax MX?

Barry

[Huggy]

Thanks for your replys.

For the moment the main thing is buying a camera and learning how to use it. Whichever camera I decide on will be kept warm and safe when I am in Nepal, so I am not worried about it.

This is going to be the only time that I can think of that I will be going above 6000 meters, other than this I will be taking it walking.

Do you have or know anyone who has had some experiences with the Canon Outlet?

[roanjohn]

Sorry, can't help you out on the Canon outlet.

Is this from Canon itself?? If so, I would trust thier refurbished products. Make sure to check the warranty though if anything goes wrong..........

If you're going to be doing action and rugged terrains, I would suggest the 10D just because its sturdier with a bigger buffer. It also is the better camera of the two.

Ro1

[Huggy]

I am swaying towards the 10D, mainly because of its durability. I will have to look closer into the outlet, it has lots of positive feedback.

Will have to wait and see what happens :)

Thanks for your help :)

[taskerc]

I have dealt with the Canon outlet twice with great results both times. The only problem I had was that they refused (via their fulfillment partner) to ship outside of UK - being in Ireland I then arranged a friend to receive the items and pass them on - actually saved postage from other "comparable" eBay deals. Hope this helps a bit.

[theoldmoose]

If you are planning on going to Nepal, and above 6000 meters, you may have a number of problems to overcome, if you plan on taking a digital SLR along.

Not very many cameras are rated to operate at those altitudes, and I have my doubts about just how warm they will be at 6000 meters, as well. Rechargeable batteries, in particular, have a nasty reputation for not holding much of a charge in the cold, and various other things may gunk up on a body at that altitude.

I would suspect that for that particular trip, a sturdy mechanical camera might be a better choice. If you will have already invested in Canon glass, maybe you will be able to borrow or rent a Canon film body for the trip.

In any event, electricity (and the lack of it at camp locations) may be the real problem. How do intend to charge those poorly-performing (in the cold) 10D batteries every night? And carry double the number you'd think you need, so you don't run out in the middle of a trek? And how many flash cards do you think you'll need (double that estimate, then double it again, for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity)? Maybe you'll need a laptop or CD burner, or what-have-you, to keep all those photos on, so you can re-use your flash cards. Of course, you'll need batteries/rechargers for all those gadgets, too.

I think film would be more suitable. You won't spend so much time keeping track of all your digital stuff. You don't want to miss why you were in Nepal in the first place.

[Huggy]

I will be taking along a standard slr as a backup, or the other way around. I want to make sure that I have the best possible chance of getting some truely awesome pictures.

Due to the mountain we are climbing, I will be going up and down about 3 times I have been told, this is to get aclimatised.

I have been assured that as long as the batterys are kept warm, they will hold their charge, I wont know this for sure until I am up there.

I have plenty of time before then to completely plan out the trip and my choices.

Your advice has been truely valuable.

[robertwgross]

I've been up high in Nepal also. Keeping the camera barely warm is not the problem. Keeping it dry is not the problem. The major problem will be battery power. Even in a perfect battery, expect to lose 1% per day, minimum, even with no load and with normal temperatures.

There are two main methods for solving this. Either carry lots of batteries (I mean, LOTS), or else plan on recharging batteries as you go. If you try the recharging route, then obviously you have to carry the charger around with you. Also, finding power will be quite a trick.

Depending on exactly where you are in Nepal, there may be some commercial power. It will likely be 220VAC, 50HZ, with one of the Asian power plug styles. In some villages, they have hydroelectric power, but only during the evenings. Power tends to be closely monitored, fused, and expensive. There might be some 12VDC available from solar sources.

Some folks have gone the route of the solar charger. Unfortunately, that only works best if you are in one fixed location for the sun hours of the day. Hikers can't be bothered with that, and the panels to do it tend to be expensive to get enough amperage for what you want to do.

The bottom line is that you might need to prepare for all of the scenarios above.

---Bob Gross---

[RichardtheSane]

re. the canon outlet on ebay.

Their prices look great when you bid, but remember that they add VAT on top of it. I seem to remember seeing the 10D for 899 on there... which is £1050 ish after VAT... getting close to the value of a brand new one there!

[rraman]

re. the canon outlet on ebay.

Their prices look great when you bid, but remember that they add VAT on top of it. I seem to remember seeing the 10D for 899 on there... which is £1050 ish after VAT... getting close to the value of a brand new one there!

Is the canon outlet thing only for UK? I did not find it on ebay.com, can you forward the url?