Testing Second Hand Camaras ?

Hi,

I need a DSLR but I'm a little short on cash - I'm considering buying a second hand (used) body and lens, a 300D, to be exact. Before I bite the bullet, I'd like a bit of advise from you good folks - what necessary checks should I do before making my purchase ? Also, before I begin haggaling with the seller, what's a reasonable price for the 300D (Body + Basic Lens) ?

All help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

Don't know your location so I can't answer the price question.
The thing about these cameras is that there isn;t a terrific saving to be made when buying, and bear in mind that someone who has maybe upgraded from a 300D will very likely hang on to what lenses they have, excepting maybe the kit standard.
If I was going down this road, I'd look for visible signs of wear and tear, and ask to take some test shots, to look at before i parted with any cash.
It should be straightforward enough to 'judge' the cameras owner as to how they look after equipment, and no photographer would mind allowing test shots.

Jim

Thanks for the response. I'm in Canada right now what I'm looking at is 150-200 dollar price saving, which is pretty significant IMHO. Taxes here are extrodinary too, that'd be something too I'll be saving on. I will be investing in a few good lenses eventually, so that is not an issue - what I'm concerned with the durability of the body, etc.

I will be taking a few test shots, looking out for dead pixels/discolourations ... anything else to keep in mind though ?

I'd honestly say that I think you will 'know' if the camera has been looked after by the general state of the body.
I'd ask what type of photography the seller is into, (IE where the camera has been) and how many shots have been taken on it. Bear in mind you can only test with whatever lens the camera is sold with - there isn't much point in testing an all-singing lens that you don't own or plan to buy.

My test shots would start with a slow shuttter, narrow aperture shot of a white surface to check for sensor dust. Also bear in mind that if you are new to DSLrs, it may be better to ask the seller to shoot some shots as they will know the camera and be able to show it's potential. if you are new to them, to be honest a test shot taken by yourself won't show you the best it can do.
But for sure, check the settings and take the 'dust test' shot. It may not be a masive problem to clean if it has contamination, but at least you will know!

Jim

How old is the camera? (The seller may/may not tell the truth. You may ask to see the original receipt) You mak also check if the camera is still under any kind of Canon/third party warranty.

In additional to the precautions already mentioned by others, you should also check the battery contacts. Beware if you observe greenish or white powder/residues. If yes, either the battery leaks or the camera had been exposed to very humid atmosphere (say, dropped into water). Should be avoided at all cost.

I would say that a Digital Rebel would go in price range right now from $400 - $450 US......I'll let you do the conversion. I just bought a Rebel from a member of this forum in Canada for $425US.

There is no way to know the shutter count accurately on a 300D so its going to just be a best estimate from the seller. You could ask him what his file number count is currently on his CF card that he is using - that would at least give you a percentage of the shots that he has taken - if has had the camera in continuous photo counting mode.

Look for bent pins in the CF compartment - loose battery doors - rattling when the pop up flash pops up - sticky buttons - filthy mirror or focusing screen inside the camera and so forth.

You are buying a GREAT camera by the way......just thought that I would throw that in.

Thanks for the tips, guys ! This is exactly the info I've been looking for - I'll remember to bring a flashlight to check for white residues on the battery contacts, that's something I would not have thought of myself.

Any more tips would be greatly appreciated. Cheers !

I'm a little ignorant about DSLRs - I'm assuming you're referring to seeing dust through viewfinder ?

Yes - you can see a lot of dust at times on the focusing screen if it is really dirty - it will look like big black specs where there should not be specs.