Used Cameras.What to look for? - Orchid Board

RJSquirrel · #1 05-09-2012, 12:27 AM

Im looking at some used cameras bec I cant afford what I want new. Particularly, a used Canon 1d Mark IV offered by our team photog here where I work. He says he replaces them after a few seasons bec the shutter speeds arent fast enough for freeze action stills as he takes close to 100k pictures a season. Maybe one can esplain this to me in better fashion. The shutters wear out?
So best guess without prying too much and pretending I know more than I do, That would equate to over 200k thousand photos being taken with the camera.

My question is... is the damn thing worn out? Is it too much camera for orchids which dont move? Is a lens that compliments the camera and orchid close-ups going to be cost prohibitive for one on a tight budget? Its going to take me a few months to save up for a lense worthy. So I may be lenseless for some time.
That sucks I just dont have the cash to go get what I want. So Im left to deal with used gear. Pro Photo people take good care of their eqpt bec thats how they make their living so I have no fear its in good shape.
I just want to hear what anyone thinks about this .Im torn between a middle of the road camera with a better lense and now this.......help!!!
I appreciate your replies and comments and it will help me decide..Im on the fence right now and its green everywhere

oh he only wants $2500 for it

ronaldhanko · #2 05-09-2012, 02:39 AM

The sensor on these is supposed to be good for 300M actuations, so this has about a third of its life left. $2500 seems a tad much for one that heavily used though it is not unreasonable.

ronaldhanko · #3 05-09-2012, 02:42 AM

I think you could do with something much less expensive. I have a 7D which costs less than $2500 new and you can buy an EOS xsi, one of the best Eos models for around $500. Personally, I'd go with less camera body and put more into the lenses.

goodgollymissmolly · #4 05-09-2012, 06:56 AM

Don't buy a camera with that many shutter cycles. I think Ron meant to say shutter, not sensor. Sensors don't wear out.

Also, the technical advancement rate is so high that a mid range camera today is better than a pro camera of 2,3, 4 years ago.

A pro camera like the one you are looking at is more durable, better sealed, more flexible in settings, and overall tougher than the mid range "prosumer" models, but the pictures it takes are no better. Equipment will not make you a photographer, although it can prevent you from being one. Buy a new Canon 60D or Nikon D-7000 and get going on taking pictures.

Lagoon · #5 05-09-2012, 07:08 AM

Holy on that canon 60D. I held this one about a month ago, its was like glue in my hands, I couldn't believe have fast I bonded to this camera. Have you ever seen and held this canon, RJ??

I think for me it was the closets thing to holding a male super model, LOL!!

I vote for the 60D!!

goodgollymissmolly · #6 05-09-2012, 07:29 AM

Believe me the Nikon D-7000 has the same impact. You can't go wrong with either camera and you still have some money for lens. They are equally important for the final result or maybe more than equal.

RJSquirrel · #7 05-09-2012, 07:51 AM

thanks!
thats what I needed to get me over the jones for that 1d. And basically what the OS guy told me was spend less on a good middle of the road body and put your money in a better lens. Seems thats the way to go. I felt that initially, but being offered the high end 1d is tempting. As you say its not going to make me a photo star

...
Im feeling like kind of a let down cus you all didnt say jump on it and hold it down now do it. But Im relieved at the same time because you have confirmed what I had already been told. If you ask enough people you will eventually have enough tell you what you want to hear. Im glad no one here patronizes me to keep me calm.
I have looked at the 60D and I like it and I have looked at a NikonD300s and I liked it too. Im thinking they are apples and oranges though. I see we have both Nikon and Canon people here

.
I have the Nikon coolpix and its a good camera for all around dinking with but really leaves a lot to be desired in the control features. Its basically been idiot proofed for my kind. It was a good start and Im glad I had bought it instead of jumping off the bridge to start with.
As usual I appreciate the time you all take here to head someone even a into the right direction!!!

goodgollymissmolly · #8 05-09-2012, 08:28 AM

Don't buy the D-300. It's a great camera, but it's at the end of it's run. The new sensors are much better. That's why I said D-7000, but you could think D-400 also.

#9 05-09-2012, 09:40 AM

I got Nikon D-7000 and am quite happy with it, I think it is a good value for the money you spend. Now, it came with default lens that was useless for orchids photography (and pretty much everything else) and we had to buy a macro and other lenses anyway. So if I did it again, I would buy body and lenses separately.

Gloria, did you buy your macro lens?

ronaldhanko · #10 05-09-2012, 12:47 PM

I did mean shutter and not sensor. Sorry!

I bought the Canon 7D because it is built like a tank and quite large. It fits my hands better than than some of the other EOS cameras, and we do a lot of hiking, so it has to take quite a bit of abuse). My wife's 450D takes as good pictures, though, and there are newer models on the market that are even better.

I think it's basically a toss-up between Nikon and Canon. They are always neck-in-neck in the technology race and in producing good cameras. But remember that once you start buying lens you are pretty much locked into one brand of camera, and probably forever, so make sure you are getting the brand you really want, if you have a preference one way or the other.