used cameras?

[hornetzoo]

What's the cheapest way to get into digital SLR? I've become proficient with my canon S30: http://www.fotki.com/brohrkemper and now I'm looking for something better. A used 300D would be fine. Where could I find one for very cheap? If I buy the body only, which lens should I buy? I found something on Craig's List that's 6 years old...

USED EOS CANON ZOOM LENS 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 (6 years old)

or

NEW EOS CANON ZOOM LENS 35-80mm/4-5.6

either for only $50

Is it true that any EOS lens will work with any EOS camera?

thanks,
Bobby

[MrChad]

The lens is more important then the camera.....I have a 28-105mm 4-5.6f kit lens, it sucks big time!

Do yourself a huge favor buy a faster, better lens.

If you can afford it, get a good Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5 lens or a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 if you can stretch.

Else check out some of the faster Sigma f2.8-4.0 lenses

Or if money is tight get the Canon 50mm 1.8 prime.

[Citizensmith]

Yes any EF lens will work on any EOS body.

The lenses you mentioned at $50 are that cheap for a reason, they pretty much suck. The only good cheap lens is the 50 f/1.8 at around $70. Other than that the 28-105 f/2.5-4.5 is your first stop in acceptable quality. Anything much below that leaves a lot to be desired.

[ron chappel]

I've tried quite a few different cheap lenses and pretty much agree that the 28-105/3.5-4.5 is something most will be very pleased with
Anything cheaper and there's less chance you'll like it ...

As for thos specific models-the 35-80 is dreadfull.I hate it with a passion.
Of the 5 or 6 examples i've used (on film and digital), i've never got a sharp picture!
The 28-80 on the other hand does seem to work reasonably well on digital.It's not as good as the 28-105 mentioned above but it does actually get some good pics at times.
it's very similar to the 18-55 kit lens in that regard

....which neatly brings me to my main point-you REALLY should be getting the 300D with it's kit lens.Nothing else comes close in that zoom range for the price

[Persian-Rice]

You would be surprised at how a camera performs with a poor lens attached. You would get better results and performance out of a regular powershot.

IMHO, a dSLR is best suited for someone who is willing to invest at least the same amount on lenses that they are on a body. The opposite is true as well, an awful body with a good lens is not very good either. However, in terms of Canon's digital lineup, they don't really have any inferior bodies, just old ones.

Best place for any used equipment is www.fredmiranda.com (http://www.fredmiranda.com/). All my four bodies are used, and I am proud of it, sorta feels good to know I didn't have to spend as much as other people and still own the same camera, usually almost new anyway. Make sure to ask a lot of questions about the camera and verify that they have a good rep. Purchasing via COD or Paypal further secures you.

Cheers

[DocFrankenstein]

You are looking at 2 lenses basically:
EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 - 100$ ?
50mm f/1.8 EF 70$

Get those and save up 800 bucks for a 70-200 f/2.8 or something of similar quality. :)