Help. Good used gear? Where to find?

Does anyone know of a good database or website with used gear other than ebay?

I just purchased a 450D and want to purchase some lenses that are in good shape without killing my wallet or getting a dishonest deal.

Thanks

KEH.com for one, but you should check this forum and FM's forum.

jr_senator wrote in post #7572183
KEH.com for one, but you should check this forum and FM's forum.

Thanks for the reply, I was also wondering if you could give me some advice on a gear related dilemma I'm having.

I just purchased a 450D new and still have a few days to return if for a full refund. If I do so I can purchase a 40D for 400 dollars more with a kit lens that is comparable to the one I bought the XSi with. I am new to DSLR photography but have taken photo and many design classes and understand composition and TV/AV.

I bought the 450D thinking it was a prosumer camera until I found out later (bad researching on my part) that I bought the camera on a young person's impulse, excited with a nice tax return. I just don't want the 450D to pigeon-hole me into a fixed area of photography that I will have to stick with that I could've afforded to get out of if I had made a better informed purchase.

I understand the ergonomic limitations to the XSi and that is not a problem for me, I tend to gravitate towards smaller technology by nature and am comfortable with workarounds for that. I.E.: a grip etc..

The shots I like to take are primarily nature/landscape/wildl​ife (If I'm lucky enough to stumble upon some) and portraits/artistic.

Is the $400 dollars better spent towards say a 50mm 1.8 for example, or would the cash go better towards the more advanced body in the long run?

Thank you for your opinion and time for listening.

In terms of IQ the two cameras won't be very different, and some would argue not at all. The main purpose for the upgrade would be features that the 450D might not have. Such as live view, slightly high MPs, faster FPS, better high ISO performance. If you feel you will stick to nature/landscape/wildl​ife, I believe the 450D will perform great in those departments with the right glass. The 40D will perform great with the right glass as well. I say save your money and use the saved $400 for a better lens in the future. I currently shoot a 350D and I've been using it for more than a year and still get pictures that I am happy with.

Edit: And learn to use manual. You'll never go back to TV or AV.

binlerne wrote in post #7578305
In terms of IQ the two cameras won't be very different, and some would argue not at all. The main purpose for the upgrade would be features that the 450D might not have. Such as live view, slightly high MPs, faster FPS, better high ISO performance. If you feel you will stick to nature/landscape/wildl​ife, I believe the 450D will perform great in those departments with the right glass. The 40D will perform great with the right glass as well. I say save your money and use the saved $400 for a better lens in the future. I currently shoot a 350D and I've been using it for more than a year and still get pictures that I am happy with.

Edit: And learn to use manual. You'll never go back to TV or AV.

Thanks for your feedback Is high ISO and FPS the main draw of the 40D over the 450D?

Also,
Do you know which off-brand grips best mimic the Canon grips? I know some don't have the wheel to change aperture and shutter speed.

Thanks

It depends on what each person is shooting, their preferences, and of course, their bank account. The features I listed are the main ones that people upgrade for. Some photographers don't need any of that stuff but simply can't stand the size of the Rebel line. Your mileage may vary...

And I have heard good things about Targus grips.

Hi Deming, I made the push from a 450D(which I only owned for 3 months) to a 40D a few months ago. I suggest you return your 450D if you are not happy with it. But don't buy a new 40D with a kit lens...Adorama has the 40D body only for $700 refurbished (look up review on google and this forum...apparently they are practically as good as new...I cant speak from experience). If not you can also buy the 40D used on ebay or craigslist for $600-$680ish or if you are patient, they are rare cases like mine where I got a 40D with 9xx shots for $560 shipped and paypalled with a 4-year warranty through BestBuy.
I would like to point out as many many many other people have said the image quality really won't be that significant. IF you like the feel in your hands, the weight, fast FPS, and better high ISO performance...then get the 40D, but if you are trying to move for better image quality...don't invest the extra money. With that said, I am absolutely delighted with the move from the 450D to 40D. There is not a day that I go through shooting wishing that I still had the lighter smaller XSi. I really like the convenient dial wheel in the back, the top LED which the 450D lacks and the extra battery life of the 40D.
The reason why I suggested you look for a used one or refurb without a kit lens is because with the extra money you can get a "better" lens (in terms of focal length and speed more suitable for you) like the Tamron 17-50 fits me very well. $560 for my camera body and $400 for the Tammy brand new from Amazon = $960, which you will find is about the same as a new 40D with a 28-135 kit lens. IF you are happy with the kit lens keep shooting and get a external flash like the 430EX or 580EX, I think my 580EX has been my best purchase so far for my camera...I really hope this helped, I got a lot of help when I made the transfer so this is my Kharma bit. GOODLUCK!!

deming wrote in post #7578240
I bought the 450D thinking it was a prosumer camera until I found out later (bad researching on my part) that I bought the camera on a young person's impulse, excited with a nice tax return. I just don't want the 450D to pigeon-hole me into a fixed area of photography that I will have to stick with that I could've afforded to get out of if I had made a better informed purchase.

I don't understand exactly what your concern means. In what ways do you think the 450D will "pigeon-hole" you? What do you anticipate wanting to do with your camera that it won't do?

Unless you are planning a professional photography career that includes specialized things like pro sports coverage, the 450 will do just fine. Give it good glass to look through and picture quality will be everything an "amateur" could need.

For what you like to shoot, the main difference between the Rebels and the 40D would be the general feel of the camera, plus some additional custom functions. There won't be much (if any) difference in image quality (I have an XTi and a 40D, and both are really terrific for portraits, nature and landscape photography). Where the 40D shines is with action photography, where I notice quite a significant difference in AF and, of course, frames per second; this was why I bought it.

Based on your post, you seem to be second-guessing your purchase. If so, you'll probably end up upgrading sooner rather than later (even though the Rebels are great cameras and won't pigeonhole you at all). If I were in your shoes I'd return the XSi, get a full refund and buy a used 40D for about the same price. There are some really good deals available on lightly used 40Ds right now. I bought mine used; it has under 4,000 clicks and is like a brand new camera, but it cost several hundred dollars less than the new price. The "classified sell" section of this forum is an awesome source of good gear. If you prefer to see what you're getting before you buy, your local craiglist or other local Internet classified ad system is good too, provided you're careful.

deming wrote in post #7578391
Is high ISO and FPS the main draw of the 40D over the 450D?

Also,
Do you know which off-brand grips best mimic the Canon grips? I know some don't have the wheel to change aperture and shutter speed.

Thanks

If you have no need for the quicker AF Speed and FPS, stay with the XSi. Someone mentioned no Live View with the XSi? YES it has it! Great feature!

I own the XSi, had the kit lens, new version 70-300 IS, and sold both, (now regret selling the 70-300) and currently have the Sigma's 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8. Both great lowlight lenses and fast AF(not as fast as Canon's --maybe...)

The ONLY reason I am looking to upgrade to the 40D or even a 1D MKlln or lll is for the AF speed, as I mainly shoot sports, and the XSi is lacking a little in that department, but is fine in outdoor lighting!

As for the grip, I have the BG-E5. If you are going to be using it for portrait, make sure you get one with the shutter release on the grip. The * button is great on the grip to for focusing(if you have your XSi set-up to focus with the * button?

IMHO----if you are not shooting sports, stay with the XSi and get good fast glass! F2.8 or faster

Scott

Thanks

It might be worth returning the 450D and waiting for the 500D that seems to be due out shortly!

The 450D is an excellent camera. The 40D is an excellent camera. That said, the quality of your lenses will impact your photography far more than either of those bodies.

The 40D has better ergonomics and better build. It's got some additional functionality built in. But there's not a photo you can take with one you can't take with the other. A 50D or a 5D would be much more of a step-up, but not necessarily one you need to make right now.

adorama usually has great refurb stuff, i would definitely check them out.

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Until you actually use your camera/lens combo you won't know if it's at all limited, given your uses...your eyes, your needs...
The 18-55mm IS kit is a very nice lens...good color, good contrast, sharp at 2 stops down from wide open...so use it, and learn what it can, and cannot do for you, before upgrading...maybe you'll need wider, maybe longer...you won't know by asking for advice because we don't have your eyes...

"The shots I like to take are primarily nature/landscape/wildl​ife (If I'm lucky enough to stumble upon some) and portraits/artistic."

The best deal money-wise on the wide-to-normal range (18-35mm) is the kit you already have...assuming you got the 18-55mm IS version with your 450...by 50mm the widest aperture is 5.6 and it's not very sharp unless/until you stop down to F8

Other than the everpopular "nifty50" the best deal in the 50mm range, for subjects not moving and not requiring auto-focus, are the many MANUAL FOCUS 50mm/F2 lenses out there...ANY BUT THE CANON FD series...they can't be used on the EOS bodies....the better ones (SMC Pentax, Olympus, the F2 Nikkor) are sharper and have less Chromatic Abberation (CA, purple fringing) than any of the Canon 50s except for...
The 50mm/2.5 CM, the best 50mm Canon other than the $1000 "L" version...it would work great with many of the subjects you mention, including closeups...

The other kit lens, the 55-250 IS has gotten many positive responses and at $250 or so it will give you an idea how much of your shooting needs a long lens fulfills....it and the 18-55 kit make for a good travel kit...along with a manual focus F2 lens for light shooting.

Good luck and happy shooting...