newbie purchase

[Horney]

Error 99 is the camera and lens not talking. Sounds like it's fecked and only worth spare parts money.

The first one you posted sounds ideal.

Nick

[Diamond Hell]

but would you spend 150 on a 450d body that needed repairing, thats the issue

But if you spend £40-50 for a non-functioning unit and then £100 for a full service odds-on you'll get a camera with a six month warrantee that's good as new, which any other second hand 400D won't be.

Bear in mind that the service price can include most of the parts of the camera and when it comes in to them they run the Canon version of VAG-COM over the camera as they log all errors as well as specific information about what triggered them.

I spent some time on the phone to them when mine was in for service talking through all this, so so as I knew what a 'service' would actually cover.    It covers most things, but there may be a surcharge if there's too much screwed.

[gtiballs61]

As a novice to photography and camera's i feel it would be to much of a risk for me to chance buying the faulty cam.Dont get me wrong DH i hear what your saying about the 6 month(out of he box) warranty,no second hand camera can supply.the one advertised in my OG post on ebay also states very clearly,NO returns,NO warranty,NO comebacks

I feel spending this much money i should buy new with manu warranty etc.there seems to be a few deals out there at the mo.Just now deciding which one to go for,im going to choose one that i can keep for a while,not one that's "ideal" for begginers,and end up buying another 6 months later cause i want a better one,im going to take my time and choose the right one.(famous last words).

I appreciate every one's feedback and hopefully look forward to hearing some more

Gavlar.

[Diamond Hell]

The one thing you can guarantee with an SLR is that it will still be worth something in six months time.

They seem to hold their value very well, unlike many consumer electronics items.

[DubFan]

I would also probably avoid the 450 with the error code.

Here's an idea of the S/H value of a 400D. This is from my favoured camera shop chain (where I bought both my camera's secondhand).
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon-400D+18-55IS_42619.html
So that's £230 include the kit lens and will probably come with at least a 3month warrantee, if not 6months.

£100 more and you can get a 450D, which is still a good camera,
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon-EOS-450D-+-18-55IS-SALE!_39883.html
but at this price point you can get some good deals on new models.

EG, a brand new Canon 1000D with kit lens for £350
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/75075/show.html

If you're really tight on budget, I would get that 400D for £150, but the 18-55 lens off ebay and get a brand new 50mm f1.8 that should all be possible for less than £300. You can always upgrade the camera body at a later date when you have some more cash.

[gtiballs61]

How much difference in picture quality is the 10.1mp cannon 1000d compared to the
Panasonic FZ45/FZ40 14.1 MP Digital SLR Camera @ £225

Is the panasonic fz40/45 a decent camera?
It seems a lot of camera for a decent price.Am i wrong in judging the camera by how many megapixel it has?

[shepgti]

How much difference in picture quality is the 10.1mp cannon 1000d compared to the
Panasonic FZ45/FZ40 14.1 MP Digital SLR Camera @ £225

Is the panasonic fz40/45 a decent camera?
It seems a lot of camera for a decent price.Am i wrong in judging the camera by how many megapixel it has?

Megapixels is only really important if your printing big images. That Panasonic is a bridge camera ie can't change lenses whereas the 1000d you can fit all sorts of lenses and is a better camera imo.

[Diamond Hell]

It's the creative options on SLRs that make the difference.

That said - a bridge camera with AV and TV modes, which will shoot in RAW will give you a lot of stuff to play with as a starter.