Camera Guru's

[Fredi]

Just a quick question!

I have been offered a used Canon 30D for £700, Its the demonstration model they use in the shop.
What I would like to know is can you view how many shots have been fired on this camera?
Is there a menu that shows this information?

Fred

[Fourwings]

Thats a good price, but you are right to question how many shots may have been taken with it.
Personally I wouldn't go for an ex-demo model unless the store were prepared stand by any problems arising from this, plus I'd want the same amount of warranty that a brand new unit would have.
One way of checking would be to take an image and take note of the number assigned to it, the cameras default image numbering setting should be set to continuous thus the image number should reflect the total number of images taken by the camera.

[carlj]

Mind you, isn't the 30D shutter good for 100,000 actuations. Released, what, 8 weeks ago? Not sure there'll be much degradation.
Carl

[Kev Lewis]

check the body for any obvious bumps, get the supplier to clean the sensor for you and buy it

[digi]

Originally Posted by Fredi

Just a quick question!

I have been offered a used Canon 30D for £700, Its the demonstration model they use in the shop.
What I would like to know is can you view how many shots have been fired on this camera?
Is there a menu that shows this information?

Fred

I would be cautious, I know one high street chain near me that puts DSLR's in the window with no lenses attached. Yuk just think of all the dust inside the camera, I rather have a new one.

BTW your signature font size is not working.

[crisscross]

another check is for 'hot pixels' take a shot with the lens cap on or of black sheet and see if there are any bright points

[pxl8]

I just bought a 30D (body only) for £800 inc. A couple of places are selling it at that price now. I did hear that you could order it from Jessops for £737 after using a voucher but the offer no longer applies to DSLR's

[eeyore]

Jessops have currently got the 30D for £830 body only, but this price only lasts till tommorow. Some stores also have the 20D a knocked down prices (which is what I have just bought, replacing my 10D which got drowned while photographing puffins last year). If you can wait for a bit Canon are replacing the 350D in september which might bring the price of the 30D down a bit.

You can also get some top second hand deals on 20Ds/350Ds at the moment, I guess people are part exing agains new 30Ds. Though not in Jessops because they are giving up selling second hand.

Mind you they subsequently have 35% off all their existing second hand stock which has created some serious bargains, I just got a Mint Mamiya 645 with a 50mm, close up rings, and two backs for under 300 notes - now all I have to do is figure out how to load the film - never used a medium format before....

[Alan]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I just got a Mint Mamiya 645 with a 50mm, close up rings, and two backs for under 300 notes - now all I have to do is figure out how to load the film - never used a medium format before....

The 645 is a good camera, and loading medium format is straightforeward enough - you'll soon pick it up. The development might be a bit pricey these days though - unless your doing black-and-white, in which case you can dev it yourself. All you need now is a medium format compatable scanner. You want to try 5 x 4 (large format), that's when the fun starts!

[eeyore]

If you can tell me where I can lay hands on a decent 5x4 without taking out a second mortgage I might go that route, I love the pics joe cornish takes with one. That said my all time big film wish list camera would be a fuji 6x17 panoramic but I fear that even second hand that is firmly in national debt of paraguy category.