Body only or package?

[M5MAN]

When considering a new camera is it best to get a the body only and buy your lenses seperatly?

Or is it best to get a package deal with lenses?

Veiws and advice appreciated....

[coldrain]

It is best to buy your lenses separately, package deals try to unload old crap and things you would not want.

** edit:

I interpretted package as one of those packages you often see with online retailers, with 2 old crap lenses, filter packages, crappy tripod, unsellable camera case, and such.
If with package you mean body + kitlens, then that may be a good option if your budget is very limitted.

[Rooz]

true, but if you are on a tight budget the kit lens' come very cheap and most are at least competant for what they are. anything in particular you are looking at ?

[M5MAN]

Looking at the Canon EOS 40D seen them body only £1199,
ive seen a body only deal for £699.00. Seems like a bargin !!

[griptape]

Looking at the Canon EOS 40D seen them body only £1199,
ive seen a body only deal for £699.00. Seems like a bargin !!

If it seems like a bargain of that magnitude, be prepared to be ripped off. There are plenty of places that will advertise an extremely low price, and then bait and switch you into buying overpriced accessories after you've ordered it. If you don't buy the accessories, they'll cancel your order. I'm just saying be careful, and google the name of whatever company you're seeing this price at with the word "scam" or "bait and switch" after it.

[DonSchap]

These guys in Brooklyn have been at this a long, long time. They are masters at the "screw the customer out of his money" routine ... and if they can't, they will screw with your credit card and sit on your paid out money for as long as they can.

Best bet is to take some damage, financially, and find a reputable dealer. Someone you can pretty much trust and go back to and ask necessary questions of. You will eventually forget the slightly higher price you may have paid, for a good and solid deal ... but, if your "sweet" deal turned sour and is an open wound, because you forced it and went cheap ... you will never forget it. It's never worth it.

Good luck and hunt your price ... stay out of Brooklyn, NY. They are hunting YOU! :eek::eek::cool:

[wethepeople18]

It depends what your contributing funds are. If your budget is tight, get the kit lens; you will get a good deal on the lens compared to purchasing it seperate. Notice, some of the kit lens are ok quality but not the best.
If you do indeed have extra money, buy the body and invest in the best glass you can afford. Look at it like this. If you get good glass right away, then there is no need to upgrade. If you get a moderate piece of glass, you will eventually upgrade and lose some of the value when selling.

[SpecialK]

Judging by the gear lists of posters, it seems the overwhelming majority have either upgraded from the kit, or never had it to start with.

How long it takes to do that - days or years - depends on budget and desire.

When I got my "relatively inexpensive" camera, it was body only (with the 10-17mm fisheye at the same time), but I bought my next 2 lenses (18-50 and 70-300) the same weekend. The next 2 lenses came within a matter of months. So much for "easing into it".