Best time to Buy a D30

[deano52797]

I've been researching the internet and decided to go with the D30 as my first digital camera. Now with the rumors of the new pro Canon SLR coming out, I wonder if I should wait. Do you think the D30 will drop in price when this new
Pro model comes out. I Know it will be much more expensive than the D30,
But From what I have read the D30 will be just perfect for my needs.

My busy season (for weddings) will be over soon. So I could wait till early spring to see what happens. Any suggestions?

Thanks;

Deano

 

[Kenny Caudill]

Yes the prices will drop and you will find many used ones come early spring. If you can stand it, wait. I'm going to buy my 2nd D-30 when the new model is released.

Kenny Caudill
http://www.kcphoto.com

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

Or maybe D30 prices will hold well. If the Canon-brand alternative is, say, US$7,000, why would the $2,500 version (plenty satisfactory for MANY purposes) go DOWN in price?

 

[Kenny Caudill]

Because the D-30 is not without it's flaws. Many don't like the 1.6 focal lnegth multiplying factor. The resolution is too low for most professional work, it is slow focusing and it has trouble metering it's own 550 flash system. Many professionals will trade in as soon as a Professional camera is available. Remember, Canon introduced this camera as an advanced amateur camera.

Or maybe D30 prices will hold well. If the Canon-brand alternative
is, say, US$7,000, why would the $2,500 version (plenty
satisfactory for MANY purposes) go DOWN in price?

 

[Andrew Grant27981]

Because the D-30 is not without it's flaws. Many don't like the
1.6 focal lnegth multiplying factor. The resolution is too low for
most professional work, it is slow focusing and it has trouble
metering it's own 550 flash system. Many professionals will trade
in as soon as a Professional camera is available. Remember, Canon
introduced this camera as an advanced amateur camera.

Of the D30 "flaws" you mention, the only legitimate one is the AF performance. The flash metering on the D30 works fine. The focal length multiplier is inconvenient but all pro digital SLRs also have a focal length multiplier. The 6MP Kodaks are closer to full frame with a 1.3 but the D1x has a 1.5 mulitplier. The only current SLRs to have a higher resolution are the D1x (but only in the horizontal plane) and the DCS760 (a 6MP camera with square pixels).

Plenty of pros will buy the new pro Canon SLR but if it costs $7000-$8000 many will probably not buy two and will hold on to their D30s as backups. In any case the D30 only costs about $2500 right now. Many of those buying it are the advanced amateurs you mentioned. If they have the extra $5000 or so they might be better off buying more lenses and waiting for a more affordable pro body.

 

[Ismail56890]

And what about the possibility that Canon cease production of D30 altogether? IMHO, buy it now.

 

[Richard Bublitz]

Keep in mind that you will be starting over with photography once you start with digital, ie. precise exposure, white balance, calibrated monitors, profiles and so on. Unless you have a working knowlege of these, get the D30 now and learn the dance.
Richard

 

[rinkrat]

Because the D-30 is not without it's flaws. Many don't like the
1.6 focal lnegth multiplying factor. The resolution is too low for
most professional work, it is slow focusing and it has trouble
metering it's own 550 flash system. Many professionals will trade
in as soon as a Professional camera is available. Remember, Canon
introduced this camera as an advanced amateur camera.

Many of us can't afford to spend $6000. I just got my D-30 for $2600 (no tax) and it came with a 128 meg CF card, and extra year of extended Canon coverage (2 yrs total) and a free IBM microdrive and extra battery pack. That was enough for me to forget about waiting 6 months for new technology. I used the camera for the first time yesterday and the results were ASTOUNDING. The step up makes my Olympus 3000 look like a toy.

 

[deano52797]

Hi Rinkrat;

Can you tell me where you bought your D30 for $2600.00
I've seen some good packages on Ebay with microdrive included.

I think I may wait for the new pro model to come out and try to pick up a used D30 from someone wanting to upgrade. I know I won't be able to shell out.
over 6k for the new model anyways.

Thanks

Many of us can't afford to spend $6000. I just got my D-30 for
$2600 (no tax) and it came with a 128 meg CF card, and extra year
of extended Canon coverage (2 yrs total) and a free IBM microdrive
and extra battery pack. That was enough for me to forget about
waiting 6 months for new technology. I used the camera for the
first time yesterday and the results were ASTOUNDING. The step up
makes my Olympus 3000 look like a toy.

 

[Brian Mottershead]

The best times to buy a D30:

(1) after you have played around with digital in the form of a cheaper camera, like the Canon G2, Nikon 995, etc These cameras are great for
family pictures, and plenty good enough for uploading to web photo forums.

(2) now, to start having fun with it now, provided you are going to use it and can afford it.

(3) in 6-9 months when a fair number of D30's will come onto the used market from people upgrading to the expected Canon "pro" model. The D30 price new might also go down, depending on the pricing and features of the "pro" camera and other rumored cameras from Canon. The street price has already been going down, in fact, and there have been continuous promotions for several months.

(4) never, because the pricing and features of rumored Canon cameras make those more attractive to you.

By the way, I bought one in June and it has been great fun.

Brian

 

[Adrian Gilbert]

The best times to buy a D30:

(1) after you have played around with digital in the form of a
cheaper camera, like the Canon G2, Nikon 995, etc These cameras
are great for
family pictures, and plenty good enough for uploading to web photo
forums.

(2) now, to start having fun with it now, provided you are going to
use it and can afford it.

(3) in 6-9 months when a fair number of D30's will come onto the
used market from people upgrading to the expected Canon "pro"
model. The D30 price new might also go down, depending on the
pricing and features of the "pro" camera and other rumored cameras
from Canon. The street price has already been going down, in fact,
and there have been continuous promotions for several months.

(4) never, because the pricing and features of rumored Canon
cameras make those more attractive to you.

By the way, I bought one in June and it has been great fun.

Brian

 

[Adrian Gilbert]

Seems like a good time to start playing...

http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cneosd30k

The best times to buy a D30:

(1) after you have played around with digital in the form of a
cheaper camera, like the Canon G2, Nikon 995, etc These cameras
are great for
family pictures, and plenty good enough for uploading to web photo
forums.

(2) now, to start having fun with it now, provided you are going to
use it and can afford it.

(3) in 6-9 months when a fair number of D30's will come onto the
used market from people upgrading to the expected Canon "pro"
model. The D30 price new might also go down, depending on the
pricing and features of the "pro" camera and other rumored cameras
from Canon. The street price has already been going down, in fact,
and there have been continuous promotions for several months.

(4) never, because the pricing and features of rumored Canon
cameras make those more attractive to you.

By the way, I bought one in June and it has been great fun.

Brian

 

[Brian Mottershead]

Adrian, Best to stay well clear of Broadway Photo. If you called them to get this price, you would discover that they sell as accessories items that come standard in the Canon box, like the batteries, battery charger, and cables. By the time you add their prices for these essentials, you are not paying less than other places. I'm not speculating; there have been first-hand accounts of this on the Canon SLR forum. Generally speaking Broadway Photo has such an appallingly bad reputation that it is one of the seven wonders of capitalism that they are still in business. It might be fun to call them and tell them you don't need batteries, charger, etc because this is your second D30: I think you might then discover them suddenly out of stock.

The lowest real price for a U.S. warranty D30 is somewhere over $2500. You can get a gray market one from Delta International, as I did, for around $2100. (Highly recommended by me and many others.) I could be a little out of date on these prices.

Brian

Seems like a good time to start playing...

http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cneosd30k

 

[deano52797]

Hi Brian;

Could you tell me how to contact Delta international?
Do they have a website?
Thanks
Deano

The lowest real price for a U.S. warranty D30 is somewhere over
$2500. You can get a gray market one from Delta International, as I
did, for around $2100. (Highly recommended by me and many others.)
I could be a little out of date on these prices.

Brian

Seems like a good time to start playing...

http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cneosd30k

 

[JR26266]

Yes. http://www.deltainternational.com
JR

Could you tell me how to contact Delta international?
Do they have a website?
Thanks
Deano

The lowest real price for a U.S. warranty D30 is somewhere over
$2500. You can get a gray market one from Delta International, as I
did, for around $2100. (Highly recommended by me and many others.)
I could be a little out of date on these prices.

Brian

Seems like a good time to start playing...

http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cneosd30k

 

[Robert Bedwell]

Richard....this is a bit of an exaggeration. "Starting Over?"

The camera functions, ie., exposure, use of lenses, composition, light, manual, auto, programs are all the same. Yes, there is a technical learning curve but it doesn't last long with practice. During the learning process practice will take care of 90% of the learning curve issues. During this process you can be rewarded with some great photos. It's the image that counts, not if magenta is off by 1/10th of 1%.

Bob

Keep in mind that you will be starting over with photography once
you start with digital, ie. precise exposure, white balance,
calibrated monitors, profiles and so on. Unless you have a working
knowlege of these, get the D30 now and learn the dance.
Richard

 

[rinkrat]

Hi Rinkrat;

Can you tell me where you bought your D30 for $2600.00
I've seen some good packages on Ebay with microdrive included.
I think I may wait for the new pro model to come out and try to
pick up a used D30 from someone wanting to upgrade. I know I won't
be able to shell out.
over 6k for the new model anyways.

Cameta Camera, ask for Bill
http://www.cameta.com

 

[rinkrat]

Seems like a good time to start playing...

http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cneosd30k

The first question you want to ask is "Is this a USA Canon D30 that is covered by USA warranty". Don't go for a grey market one unless you are prepared to accept the risk.

 

[Mark Anderson]

Hi rinkrat

where di you buy yours?

regards

mark
[email protected]

Because the D-30 is not without it's flaws. Many don't like the
1.6 focal lnegth multiplying factor. The resolution is too low for
most professional work, it is slow focusing and it has trouble
metering it's own 550 flash system. Many professionals will trade
in as soon as a Professional camera is available. Remember, Canon
introduced this camera as an advanced amateur camera.

Many of us can't afford to spend $6000. I just got my D-30 for
$2600 (no tax) and it came with a 128 meg CF card, and extra year
of extended Canon coverage (2 yrs total) and a free IBM microdrive
and extra battery pack. That was enough for me to forget about
waiting 6 months for new technology. I used the camera for the
first time yesterday and the results were ASTOUNDING. The step up
makes my Olympus 3000 look like a toy.

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

Do check with Mike at Best Price Audio Video in Ohio; 800/982-8273, x102. They're an official Canon USA dealer and will treat you well and honestly. I've purchased many things there.

Deal with Broadway Photo at you own CONSIDERABLE risk. When I called, the (sort-of-bare) body was $1849; the rest of the body kit (charger, software, cables, etc.) that's supposed to come with the camera was another $150. Then shipping was FIVE PERCENT, or about $100!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just laughed at him and hung up.

If you want gray-market, and I believe there's nothing wrong with GM, deal with Delta. I have many times and they've always treated me right.