2nd hand cheap DSLR Recommendations

[skippyinspace]

Hi,

Im looking for advice an a very cheap budget £100 DSLR that suitable for Astrophotography (non modified ), Had been looking to see if there were any previous lists etc from about 10 years ago, had been thinking of the Eos 1000D as there are a few kicking about at the moment and the reviews I had found were quite positive but are there other options?

 

Thanks 

 

Ian

 

[happy-kat]

Eos 1000d I've seen on here for DSO, it doesn't have video but you might not want that, it has live view which helps with focusing.

Articulated screen like on the canon 600d is good but probably outside of budget

Canon 550d has video crop mode which is handy if also doing planets

[rl]

EOS1000D is good. I've got a pair of 1100Ds which have been very reliable. 

Canon seem to be the best supported by a long way from the astronomy point of view.  You can get away without LiveView but it's really painful; I think all APSC format above 450D have this feature but I might be wrong on this one.  Other than that they're all pretty much the same.  Controlling it through a laptop is a good thing to do..screen is much easier to see.

Spending a few quid on a 12v battery adapter  is also worthwhile. 

Check the shutter count before you buy.

[SmokeyJoe]

I got a second hand 450D for £80 from mpd about a year ago , does me fine.  It has live view.   Just keep an eye on the shutter count

[Stuf1978]

I second the 450D, I also bought a used one just over a year back from mpb and performed the astro mod myself. Best £80 I've spent in terms of astro gear, it's pretty capable for what it cost  

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by Stuf1978

[rnobleeddy]

I got a slightly worse for wear/unmodded 550D on eBay for low £80's a few months back. I've generally found the asking price of listings here and on ABS for DSLRs a little optimistic, as you can generally get the bodies on eBay much cheaper.

 

 

[michael8554]

In general 4 digit Canon DSLRs are budget versions of the 3 digit models.

Eg 1000D is a budget version of 450D

Michael

[MylesGibson]

In terms of shutter count, what do people generally think is good for a second hand DSLR? In terms of shutter count vs price? Most astro equipment sells second hand for roughly 70% of new value, but DSLRs vary a lot. This is something I've always found tricky when looking for second hand DSLR cameras, just interested to know what others think

Edited November 12, 2020 by MylesGibson

[AstroFin]

My side hobby is to buy cheap DSLRs, astro-modify them and sell them to make a small profit.  During the last 2 years or so I've had (several) lower-end Canon cameras and in my experience, 550D is the best for the money. You can occasionally find them used for around €100 (likely within the same price range in the UK).

The 550D has a pretty good sensor, the same as in 7D, it's not too painful to astro-modify, and it also supports video crop mode, a huge benefit for planetary astrophotography! 

 

Edited November 13, 2020 by AstroFin

[toxic]

loads of cheap used dslr's on here https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/search?type=product&phrase=canon+eos&page=1