Where can i get an SLR camera cheap?

[El_Mayo]

I want an SLR camera (yes... it HAS to be an SLR) for my hopefully upcoming photography course at college.

atm i'm thinking of getting the sony A330 camera

does anyone know where i can get it for reaaaally cheap.. like some chinese website or something? xD
it's about £600 on amazon uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Alpha-A330-Digital-18-55mm/dp/B0029U0WY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264896601&sr=1-1), $549 on circuitcity (http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5568369&CatId=3629)(£340)

[Black Panther]

I'd stay away from chinese websites lol.....

Reason:

A little off topic examples of Chinese imitations:

http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4aff1d1a0000000000840be0-400-300/dolce-and-banana.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/100118/Capture007.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/23/article-1173047-049FABDD000005DC-851_468x286.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/23/article-1173047-049FABE5000005DC-417_468x286.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/23/article-1173047-049FAC84000005DC-483_224x423.jpg

http://static.stomp.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/stomp/293948/thumbnail/see_how_similar_these_stickers_are-thumbnail.jpg
^ Sunkist -> Sonkiss

Fake Google!:
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/9309/picture2u.png

Fake YouTube (the real YT is banned in China (too many videos of state violence on people)):

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3505/picture1kw.png

If you're going to study photography you need a good camera, and quality comes at a price...

[DanTheBanjoman]

So because Chinese companies tend to copy brand names and logos their products are bad? I order stuff from .hk all the time. Quality is fine most of the time. Pricing is far more attractive though.

Given, warranty is an issue in such cases (shipping costs and the likes). With an expensive camera I wouldn't do it, unless it's really cheap and offers decent quality.

[Black Panther]

I didn't say the products are bad... ;) Imagine he buys a Sony imitation and gets it for $300 instead of $600. Something goes wrong like he needs a lens or something. The Sony original equivalent isn't compatible... He writes the website and they don't answer, or tell him they don't manufacture parts or that he needs to order a certain quantity for it to be shipped....

If the same spec camera would be for $150 or less I'd suggest he goes for it though!! :)

Edit: for Mayo, would you consider buying used?
I don't know anything about cameras or what SLR means (slap) but I did some search and found this (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008ACQZ/ref=asc_df_B00008ACQZ1019155/?tag=dpreviewbuybox-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B00008ACQZ&linkCode=asn), for only $300...

[DonInKansas]

Edit: for Mayo, would you consider buying used?
I don't know anything about cameras or what SLR means (slap) but I did some search and found this (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008ACQZ/ref=asc_df_B00008ACQZ1019155/?tag=dpreviewbuybox-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B00008ACQZ&linkCode=asn), for only $300...

It says no battery or lens, which really kills that deal....

[Black Panther]

No... what? :eek:

:o

Mayo, sorry pal I didn't notice that. (slap)

[El_Mayo]

I didn't say the products are bad... ;) Imagine he buys a Sony imitation and gets it for $300 instead of $600. Something goes wrong like he needs a lens or something. The Sony original equivalent isn't compatible... He writes the website and they don't answer, or tell him they don't manufacture parts or that he needs to order a certain quantity for it to be shipped....

If the same spec camera would be for $150 or less I'd suggest he goes for it though!! :)

Edit: for Mayo, would you consider buying used?
I don't know anything about cameras or what SLR means (slap) but I did some search and found this (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008ACQZ/ref=asc_df_B00008ACQZ1019155/?tag=dpreviewbuybox-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B00008ACQZ&linkCode=asn), for only $300...

not used ONLINE
maybe from a local camera shop
so i'll only focus on new cameras online

[MT Alex]

I would recommend getting a Canon or Nikon, companies that specialize in making cameras. If your going to shell out a bunch of cash you might as well aim for the best. My digital Rebel is 8 years old, still works fantastic, and the lenses always stay the same so upgrading is always assured.

[El_Mayo]

I would recommend getting a Canon or Nikon, companies that specialize in making cameras. If your going to shell out a bunch of cash you might as well aim for the best. My digital Rebel is 8 years old, still works fantastic, and the lenses always stay the same so upgrading is always assured.

Canon or Nikon... got it :D

[Polaris573]

Canon or Nikon... got it :D

I have an a230. It's a really nice camera, the only thing I don't like is that the new Sony alphas are small and uncomfortable in my hands. My hands aren't really that big. I don't know what the Sony engineers were thinking (slap). Who wants a small DSLR? On the plus side they're a lot lighter than other DSLRs I've used. My friend was using his Nikon D40 and I needed to use the restroom so I handed my a230 to him for a few minutes. The first thing he said was, "wow that's light". The sony alphas also give descriptions of each function in the camera's menus, so you don't have to flip through the manual to see what something does. Great for beginners.

I strongly recommend going to a store and handling the camera models you're interested in. See which one is most comfortable.

Sony/Minolta lenses aren't significantly worse than Cannon or Nikon, but I still give Cannon/Nikon the slight upper hand in quality. Plus it's much easier to find secondhand Cannon or Nikon lenses because more people have Cannons/Nikons. Although you can buy an adapter for your Sony that will allow it to use Cannon and Nikon lenses. In addition, Sony bought Minolta so Minolta lenses from decades ago Fit Sony Alpha DSLRs. Sometimes you can pick up a Minolta lens on eBay for less than it costs to eat out, but those are usually full manual (no AF and the camera won't adjust aperture or shutter speed automatically.)

For example I want a 50mm prime lens with a large aperture so I'm eying one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Konica-Minolta-AF-50mm-f-1-7-Lens-SONY-DSLR-COMPATIBLE_W0QQitemZ330401860118QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZCamera_Lenses?hash=item4ced7c4a16

You might want to compare the features set of the A330 and A230 and see if the A330 has any feature you absolutely need that the A230 doesn't. The A230 is a lot cheaper. As far as I know the only differences are that you can shoot a picture with A330 by looking through the LCD instead of the viewfinder (not a recommended way to shoot a photo in my opinion) and the LCD screen tilts (who cares). http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B002A9JDJ8/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265828902&sr=1-1&condition=new

[Steevo]

The reason the canons and nikons are heavier is the actual frame inside that holds the components VS a plastic or injection molded fiberglass body with parts attached. I know a few photographers and the first then I was told was not to buy a cheaper camera as it has no frame. One was a guy from Cali who does alot of shoots, and showed me a cheaper model that was dropped from a kitchen table once, the picture was tweaked as the sensor had moved. He had a Mark II that he fell on once while running for a shot, he got back up took the shot and wiped the sand off. It still lives.

[Polaris573]

Do you know how expensive the Markk II is? I can't afford a $2,500 body, my car cost that much lol. The low-end Nikons and Cannons aren't going to have a steel-magnesium frame either. It's easy to say only buy expensive things until your the one paying the money. I'll take my chances and avoid falling, or carelessly knocking my camera of the table. It takes good pictures for an entry level camera that's what matters the most.

[Steevo]

My T1i doesn't have a frame so I have to remember to be careful with it.

[Polaris573]

My T1i doesn't have a frame so I have to remember to be careful with it.

Yeah you know what I mean then. Just have to be careful.

The A230 doesn't feel cheap despite it's light weight. I have a Minolta Maxxum 400si 35mm SLR that my A230 replaced. That thing is definitely made of cheap materials. It's for the best that Sony bought Minolta.

[pantherx12]

Pffft they give you cameras to use in my towns college, good ones too lol

No need to buy your own camera until after college really : ]

[Steevo]

Good like P65?

[El_Mayo]

Pffft they give you cameras to use in my towns college, good ones too lol

No need to buy your own camera until after college really : ]

but. i WANT one anyway :]
and secondly i'm not getting any more email nofications on this thread anymore :confused:
thirdly, finally you signed up to GN :D