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Photography Question 

Spencer Selvidge 		 

Provided software or aftermarket?


I am about to buy a Canon 30D (upgrade from a useed 10D I got a year ago). I can get it much cheaper if I do not buy it with the provided software and extras but am unsure if I will want any of it later. Since I only want the body and have a charger and PS 7, CS, elemnts, etc.

Is that all that I need? Or does the software canon provides ever come in handy?


I do lots of photojournalism from college sports to features to very low-light auditorium performances to bright outdoors, if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the input.


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June 18, 2006

 

John P. Sandstedt 		  There's really not a lot of soft you get so I'm not sure what's the big saving.

EOS Utility is needed to let you download the camera's images to your computer. It also allows you to operate the camera from the computer, a nice feature in the right situation.

Digital Photo Professional 2.1 allows you to edit RAW files. If you have PSCS and/or PSE4.0, you can get the Aodbe patch for free to allow massaging RAW [CW2] files.]

The third grouping of software include ZoomBrower and several other album, slide show-type programs. This line-up of software does what PSE 4.0 and other packages do. Several of the provided programs are also provided with Canon scanners and printers.

But, I would think that EOS Utility is must have. If you're getting a "significant" price difference from the $1,399 everyone else is charging - simply because of "no software," I think there might be other problems with the deal. Gray market? Stolen mechandise? Etc. Etc.

I'd forget it.


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June 19, 2006

 

Bob Chance 		  I'm kind of interested in what kind of price break you're getting for not including the software in your purchase?
More importantly, why are you getting a price reduction?
I ask this simply because the camera software doesn't cost anything. Why?
Becuase you can download all the same programs from Canons website, absolutely free. And chances are, the ones you get with the camera have been updated on the website, so they might be newer releases.
So, I really don't understand, why something that's free anyways, should add to the purchase price of the camera. Except for maybe the cost of the CD it's burned on.


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June 19, 2006

 

Spencer Selvidge 		  OK. I haven't decided if the website I am looking at is shady or not. I called them and asked why it was so cheap. Their response was that the camera came with literally nothing but the body. No battery, no charger, no software... nothing. They charge inflate prices on those parts. I already have all those. So I was contemplating just getting the body without the accesories if possible. USAPhotonation.com is the site I believe. I don't want to get scammed, espcially on such expensive and important equipment. They have lots of sales and lots of reviews but it could all be false. I cannot tell.


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June 19, 2006

 
chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Chris Budny
Chris Budny's Gallery 		  Hi Spencer... Good idea to always try a QnA Search here on BP, for some or parts of a business name... I searched on "Photonation" and got this thread:

http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17486

Sadly, no other details, than the user encountered a bunch of complaints against them...


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June 19, 2006

 

Spencer Selvidge 		 
 
 
Wwell after more thourough research. I am extremely wary. Seems like I could end up getting a 30D in Chinese language. I'm sure I COULD deal with it but its urely not worth the potential hassle. Thanks for the input everyone.

I was just looking forward to spending 850 in comparison to 1300. Being a poor college student, every single penny counts A LOT. Any good places to buy used gear that anyone is aware of? I'll search that now but figured I'd ask.

thanks everyone.


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June 19, 2006

 

Fred S. MacKenzie 		  Watch out. When I purchased my 20d I did a lot of searching and found out that those companies on the web offering thoses too good to be true prices aren't telling you everything. I discovered that the ones that do not come with anything and are so cheap is because they are all imports, so your suspicions were correct, you might end up with one that speaks Chinese...


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June 19, 2006

 

Justin G. 		  I bet $10 that when you order it and decline all the other parts it'll magically go on backorder even though you can go on the site and it says in stock. In photography if it's too good to be true, it is.


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June 20, 2006

 

Brendan Knell 		  Spencer, you might want to check out their review here: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller8278.html


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June 20, 2006

 

Bob Chance 		  Justin:

You are absolutely right. I remember reading a thread on this very site about someone with a similar experience, though maybe not with the same company.
They ordered the camera at the unbelievable low price only to discover it was missing neccessay items. Battery, charger, etc... Which could be had for a lot more than what then what most companies were charging.
The customer decided to order the camera anyway and buy the other items elsewhere.
After several days passed the expected arrival date, she called and was told that the camera was on back order and they had no idea when it would come in.
Needless to say, she canceled the order right there and then and called her credit card company.
No doubt, this company is pulling the same scam. May even be the same company, but I don't remember exactly who it was she was dealing with.
Like I always say:
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Anytime you see someone advertising merchandise for a good deal less than most everyone else selling the same thing, a red flag should go up. Actually, it should be more like red flares.


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June 20, 2006

 

Bob Chance 		  Spencer,

I was just on BH Photos website and they have four pages of used digital cameras. DSLR's & P&S.
The have one Canon 20D and severl Rebels, both the older model and the XT.
Very reputible company as many people on this site can attest to that. That's who I bought my 20D from and lenses and other things and have always been happy with the price, service and delivery.


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June 20, 2006

 
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