Back to pester again - Canon 300D

Try EBay - here's one for £6.45

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...=3865217803&rd=1

Do a search, there were more listed, I just grabbed the first one

Fair enough,
I'll make up a handfull of Canon 300d cable releases and I'll have them at Cosmos, a standard length of 4 feet.
The price on ebay now is 16.45 euros, and thats only shipping in the UK.
I'll need to get more robust switches and a small enclosure, but I'll have them cheaper then that, approx 15e.
If anyone wants particular cable length or to reserve a cable, send me a PM

I'll also do up a small number of LX200/PC cables, for much cheaper then elsewhere, standard lengths of 6 feet.

I'm going to say no more about it here as its not the right place for it,
I'll put up a post on the for sale section when I've details finalised.

Been reading the stuff about the Canon 300D with interest. My fuji finepix is getting a bit long in the tooth. A guy in work *might* be selling one of these in a couple of weeks. I'd strongly consider buying it. What are the major pros and cons of this camera. Heres what I know about it from my colleague.

Has a Bulb setting, however I assume its uncooled therefore would only allow limited long exposure. However I assume theres no reason why multiple short images (say 60secs) couldnt be taken and stacked?

As a digital SLR lens is removable and can take any standard canon fit lens?

My colleague says its a little flimsy and kinda looks a little cheapish. However I suppose thats how they sell it for such reasonable price.

6Megapixel, also allows 'raw' mode so that you can do your own processing rather than having the camera do it.

Anything you guys might add?

Appreciated.

Out of interest, why do people here prefer the 300D to say the Nikon D70? Same price range, specs on paper seem to favour the Nikon...

Dave,

Hope these answers are to your liking.

1) It is said that DSLRs are good for 5 minute exposures. I have seen excellent exposures taken for 5 mins at ISO 800.

2) Cooling is not a problem in Ireland, is it? And you will agree that many of the shots on this site look good and not many have darks removed.

3) So far, I have not done much stacking with mine. Stacking is for noise reduction and yet the single exposures taken so far have been very good with not much noise anyway.

4) The EOS uses any standard EF range lens. A t-adaptor would not cost much anyway. I have one for use in prime focus and an old Vivitar lens and it cost £16 from Telescope House.

5) Plastic case, yes. A Magnalloy one would make it the same price as a D10 or D20 as the EOS is almost the same camera in a plastic body.

Unless I trip up in the dark I don't think I will ever buy another camera. A specialist CCD maybe but never another camera.

The battery lasts a long time.

However, no memory card supplied.

The UK is doing a £100 cash-back. Though how you fiddle that here, I don't know. Unless you have friends or relatives there.

Current Amazon price EOS300D = £614, D70 = £754 - The price still swung it for me. Gave me some money to buy a piggy-back bracket, t-adaptor and some to set against the 200mm lens.

Has a Bulb setting, however I assume its uncooled therefore would only allow limited long exposure. However I assume theres no reason why multiple short images (say 60secs) couldnt be taken and stacked?

One can take exposures lasting several minutes (even tens of minutes I think) without any major problems. This is one of the main reasons why the Canon is so highly recommended. Imageplus, for example, was specifically designed with the Canon in mind and is highly recommended by it's author, Mike Unsold.

As a digital SLR lens is removable and can take any standard canon fit lens?

The lens can indeed be removed. As I understand, older Canon lenses will fit but the lenses designed with the EOS digital range in mind can't be used on the older cameras. Or at least that's my understanding anyway.

My colleague says its a little flimsy and kinda looks a little cheapish. However I suppose thats how they sell it for such reasonable price.

Not sure I'd agree with him on this. Yes, it's light. But isn't that what you want? Or would he prefer a few lead weights thrown in? Personally I'd prefer to have it as lightweight as possible.

6Megapixel, also allows 'raw' mode so that you can do your own processing rather than having the camera do it.

Correct.

Anything you guys might add?

Go for it! Just make sure you get a good deal as the price is dropping all the time. Check the latest prices before making an offer - stating the obvious I guess. If you're going to Galway, let me know and I'll show you the 300d.

Clear skies,