Advice needed on where to buy DSLR

[uk_dave&gill]

With reference to my topic of last year where I was asking advice on DSLRs

I never actually got one, as my laptop died and that had to be replaced, so the camera was put on hold. However, since the car has recently been sold, I have now also sold the alloys and, with some birthday money, have around £400 back in the DSLR fund

I'm looking for either a Canon or a Nikon, and the only real prerequisites are:-

Foldout touchscreen
Lens included
Within my budget
Available from somewhere that is trustworthy!

Regarding the latter, a Google search on for example, the Canon EOS 700D shows it starting at £349 from "Techinthebasket.com" but I've never heard of them. The price has shot up to £499 before I can see it from somewhere I've heard of (John Lewis)

As usual, any ideas will be appreciated!

NB: I did post most of the above on the end of my old thread, but as technically this is a new question (ie I've more or less decided on the camera, so it's where-to-get-it-from-as-cheaply-as-possible that's the issue now) I'm hoping that this will get you experts replying, as I'm itching to spend some money now!

[sworks]

Are you looking at just new? If not try mpb, I've used them before and have nothing but praise. There condition scale seems pretty spot on and the two things I bought were as new as described
They show three starting at £284
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/

[uk_dave&gill]

I do prefer the idea of new, but wouldn't rule out not-new if in excellent condition! Will have a look now!

[Rocket]

Most of the new cameras at low price will be grey Imports. Many of the suppliers are based abroad, maybe in Hong Kong.

I have toyed with the idea of using them in the past - many people do. Until now I have not done so.

I'll post this link to where a UK based retailer describes the downsides of grey imports.

I believe the import tax and vat is not paid by many people - hence the cheapness.


https://www.parkcameras.com/thinking-of-going-grey

Edit: another link

http://www.wexphotographic.com/?/abo...y-imports.html

[uk_dave&gill]

Interesting reading!

I want to get a bargain (of course!) but equally don't want to buy any dodgy/that will come back and bite me. Keeping looking for a good, genuine, safe place to buy either the Canon or a flippy screen Nikon!

[Kennyeth]

Originally Posted by uk_dave&gill

Interesting reading!

I want to get a bargain (of course!) but equally don't want to buy any dodgy/that will come back and bite me. Keeping looking for a good, genuine, safe place to buy either the Canon or a flippy screen Nikon!

You can get excellent cameras that have been used and taken care of.
Some stores that sell used will tell you the "shutter count"
I have dealt with MPB several times and find them very good:
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/

Again on used, depending on the age of the camera, some early ones do not have "live view"
This link will let you read more of the camera (if you go Nikon that is)
so find one you are interested in and see what spec it is on here:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr...features06.htm
EDIT: the page will open on the Nikon D7100 because that`s my camera, but they are all in there if you
look to the left.
Good luck.
Ken.

[rich tee]

There are some great secondhand bargains out there, but I totally understand the wanting to buy new, especially if you don't feel that you can check out the item fully before purchase.
Looking for new prices http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/ is a good site for doing comparisons of items from legitimate UK dealers, but before you go there, you ought to get into a high street store and play with a few cameras to see what suits you best. There isn't generally much to choose between Nikon and Canon (and Sony for that matter). I'm personally a Canon man as I just feel more comfortable with the way the menus and controls work, but for every Canon person there will probably be a Nikon person who prefers their way, so it is really down to personal preference hence my suggestion to go and play first.

[uk_dave&gill]

We used to have Nikons at work (NHS) but they were attached permanently to specialised retinal cameras, and therefore we didn't mess with any of the settings at all, so although I handled them routinely, I never actually used them in a "standard" fashion. Always liked the look of them mind!

Having said that, our current DSLR is a Canon, so probably more likely to stick with that brand

Good point about the "Live View". Finding searching is not turning up many swivelly touchscreens, and not sure if many/any of them are Live View too....

[uk_dave&gill]

Have to laugh at eBay and "Best offer"

Saw a nice Nikon at £464.99, and made an offer of £450

Seemed reasonable to me, not too insulting on my part, a mere 3.22% discount being asked for.

They came back with a counter offer of..... £459.99, so £5 off or 1.08% discount

As I declined the offer, I spotted a note saying "Postage is not included in the offer price". As postage was free at the original price, I hazard a guess that, had I accepted the offer, I'd have ended up paying MORE!

[Phill_190]

My cousin was selling a Canon DSLR camera I believe. I think it would be a good one as she is a photographer. Can get details if you would like