Should I get this slightly busted XT?

[anco85]

The company I shoot for is selling one of their older XT/350ds. The camera has seen quite a lot of use and the body is testament to this, it does however work pretty well as I've used it on numerous occasions.

Now my problem is as follows. They want quite a lot for it, way more than I think it's worth and only slightly less than a brand new 400d.

The company might give it to me if I do 1 or 2 free events per month for them, so this might be my first chance to get my own D-SLR.

In terms of IQ, how much better is the 400d? Is it really worth tossing the XT idea out the window and keep dreaming about the 400d(which I might never be able to get)?

AFAIK, the kit consists of the body, kit lens, 1 x 1gig sandisk, 1 x 512 sandisk, cleaning kit and a big crumpler bag.


Also, the body is of the grey variety, so it has numerous scratches. Is there any way to take the body apart and have it rubberized/fleckstoned/repainted?

[Rooz]

They want quite a lot for it, way more than I think it's worth and only slightly less than a brand new 400d.


thats ridiculous. they're ripping you off.

[anco85]

I know, and I am fully aware of that, however, it might be my only chance at picking up a D-SLR(I refuse to make debt)

[Rooz]

have you looked on ebay or for a refurbished one ?
how much do they want for it ?

[anco85]

We'll I'm in Namibia, so I can't give you true indications of the price but I'll give you some estimates in US$.

The 350d kit they want US$675
A new 400d goes for US$837

like I said, estimates, but should give you a rough idea

[anco85]

Update: No crumpler, no cleaning kit and only 1 x 1gb sandisk card. Same price

[Rooz]

yeah now i remember you saying that you had problems getting a kit. man, you're getting shafted for sure but i guess if theres no alternative then theres no alternative. :(

i hope someone can give you another idea.

[anco85]

Thanks for your help Rooz.

[cdifoto]

I'd rather not have than get ripped off.

[anco85]

Checked around on ebay, general consensus is around U$310.

I think they might rather not sell at that price. Would it be worth it for U$350?

[Rhys]

Checked around on ebay, general consensus is around U$310.

I think they might rather not sell at that price. Would it be worth it for U$350?

A brand new XT is $409 from B&H.

I would pay no more than $250-300 for a secondhand XT in mint condition.

For an XT in battered and abused condition I would pay maybe $50.

Having said that, you are in a country where it's hard to obtain such things. This does add a premium to the price. Ebay is probably your best bet as long as the seller can be trusted.

[Rooz]

youre doing a great job with the s3 man. save your money imo.

[adam75south]

i'm confused. why is this your only option? i'm guessing there's not a lot of ebay sellers that will ship there???

i'll be honest, i won't even ship to canada anymore(besides to people i know), had BAD experiences with shipping out of the country and was just a big headache.

[michaelb]

A brand new XT is $409 from B&H.

I would pay no more than $250-300 for a secondhand XT in mint condition.

For an XT in battered and abused condition I would pay maybe $50.

Having said that, you are in a country where it's hard to obtain such things. This does add a premium to the price. Ebay is probably your best bet as long as the seller can be trusted.

I agree.

I've seen used XT's in good condition on POTN, FM and EBAY for about $300. I loved my XT - I sold mine on FM for $300 a while back.

[herc182]

The other option is that if you know anyone travelling to the states or UK, they could pick one up for you. Might get round other issues of purchasing one from where you are based!

[anco85]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm pushing them into selling it for U$300, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed they'll go for it.


The reason this might be my only option is that I refuse to make debt and after import duties and such, it's not viable to buy from e-bay etc.

Rooz - Thank you very much, that means a lot to me

[cdifoto]

Pretty sure B&H would ship to you...they're aimed at professional photographers who could be in any part of the world and need equipment.

[AdamW]

US$350--I'd go for it. More than that, I agree with CDI.

[anco85]

Hmmm, the thing is that the company would allow me to "buy" the cam from them if I cover 1 or 2 events per month free of charge to the value of what they are asking. Thus, I don't "spend" any money

[FLiPMaRC]

The truth is, it sounds like a really bad deal for us who live in a place where things like that are cheap and abundant. For someone in your position, it might not be a bad deal. :(

[anco85]

That is very true Flipmarc. Cameras are VERY expensive over here and even if you buy it internationally, with the current exchange rate, it's still expensive

[cdifoto]

Hmmm, the thing is that the company would allow me to "buy" the cam from them if I cover 1 or 2 events per month free of charge to the value of what they are asking. Thus, I don't "spend" any money
Do you not have a regular job? How many months worth of events are we talking about? 1-2 events a month doesn't sound bad if we're talking 2 months. But if we're talking about them owning you for a year, two years, etc....that's ridiculous. It'd be easier & faster to get a plane ticket, come to America and work at McDonald's for a month, then buy a new one.

Maybe offer to do one two events in exchange for a passport and airfare to America...

Seriously though I'd make do with what I already had or work a real job before I'd let someone screw me like that. Trust me, the XT is not that good of a camera. ;)

[anco85]

I have a real job, but real life pretty much takes care of my salary for me. The company selling the cam is what I do by night(motor photo-journalist)

I do about 5-6 events a month, but I'd be paying them back for the next 10 months ;)