Is this a good deal and worth upgrading?

I recently bought a Canon S3 IS for $59 from a local pawn shop.

I really enjoy the S3, but it is lacking some things that I think I would prefer to have. For instance, the ability to shoot in RAW, or a better lens for doing some astro photography.

The same pawn shop now has a Canon EOS Digitial Rebel XTI, with 3 batteries, 2 CF cards (1 GB and 4 GB), weenie Canon external flash, Tamron 75-300 lens, a wide angle lens, the original Canon lens (broken near the mount though), charger, cables and a camera bag. They are asking $499 CAD for the whole package.

Played around with the camera for a while, and everything appears to work on it. However, the zoom buttons on the camera did not work with the Tamron lens. The zoom did work manually however. Auto-focus also worked with the lens. It is 10 mega pixel versus 6 with the S3, and from what I have read, the XTI has a larger CMOS imager versus the 1/2.5 imager on the S3.

So, my question is whether this is a good deal for the camera and if it is worth considering upgrading. Movie mode isn't necessary, as I already have a camcorder.

Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...
Al

Played around with the camera for a while, and everything appears to work on it. However, the zoom buttons on the camera did not work with the Tamron lens. The zoom did work manually however. Auto-focus also worked with the lens.

Huh? You zoom in and out by turning the zoom ring on the lens itself, C.A. I assume with "zoom buttons" you mean those two buttons with the "magnifying glass" symbol on them? They are used to expand your displayed photo on the lcd-screen...

Anyway, sure, not a bad deal i guess. Why dont you google for the value of all the separate things *new* and do the math yourself - only you can decide if it sounds like a fair deal in the end - it is your hard earned money : -)

The xti is a great little camera but you're gonna have to invest in a decent tripod, though.

C$500 works out at approx £278. I would say that's a fair-to-good deal.

Thanks for the quick replies.

My bad about the zoom I thought the XTI had a power zoom like my S3, but after downloading and reading the manual, I now understand that you have to manually turn the zoom ring on the lens.

I checked some new prices, and Henry's has the XTI body (no lenses) for $623.99 CAD on sale, $719.99 CAD with the 18-55 EF-S lens. It looks like B&H has the Tamron 75-300 lens for Canon for $135 USD ($163 CAD). Henry's has the NB-2LH battery for $94.99 CAD each. A 4 GB CF card is $49 CAD at Henry's.

So, that being said, it looks like it would cost somewhere around $1,120 for the camera body, tamron lens, 3 batteries and a 4GB card. Didn't include the cost of the bag, 1 GB card or flash (wasn't sure about the model). I also did not include the broken Canon lens or the wide angle lens. Then there is also tax, which in Ontario, Canada is about 13% right now. The pawn shop doesn't charge tax.

I am going to have to give this some serious thought, and since I paid only $59 for the S3, it may be worth hanging onto along with the XTI.

Any other tips or opinions are also welcome...

Al

Bit the bullet today and bought the XTI.

Right now, I am downloading the latest firmware, software and manual for the camera.

Pretty excited to give this puppy a go!

Al

Chopper Al wrote in post #7756237
Bit the bullet today and bought the XTI.

Right now, I am downloading the latest firmware, software and manual for the camera.

Pretty excited to give this puppy a go!

Al

Just make sure you get those zoom buttons fixed , or else you'll be doing everything manually.

jk, enjoy the new camera.