ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I don't think you would be happy with a camera that old. I am partial to Canon; Nikon makes many good cameras. If you don't mind investing in new, I recommend B & H Photovideo. (www.bhphotovideo.com) If you are looking for used equipment, I highly recommend KEH. (www.keh.com). The advantage of buying used from KEH or a similar company is that the product has been examined, tested, and ranked for quality and appearance. The Canon 3Ti or 5Ti should be sufficient for you for many years--perhaps the only camera body you ever buy. The advantage of buying a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) is that you can buy additional lenses in the future, if you wish to expand your photographic potential.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

Do not believe that he bought it new three years ago, it came out around ten years ago. Do not trust him, regardless of price.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

Do not believe that he bought it new three years ago, it came out around ten years ago. Do not trust him, regardless of price.

agilmore Loc: Baltimore

In july I bought the Canon T3 for $299 at Best Buy. Rumor is that it is a close out pricing so if you can get it at that price, get it quickly. It is a wonderful camera, especially for the price, and shoots video unlike some of the older DSLRs.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Ken,
Here is the link from Canon about the EOS 300D you're considering. It gives you the media card that works, the battery AND charger unit for it, and everything else you need to know about it.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/eos_slr_camera_systems/eos_digital_slr_cameras/eos_digital_rebel#Specifications

I would also suggest you download the manual which can be found by clicking the "Brochures and Manuals" link, then scrolling all the way down to the fifth entry up from the bottom, which reads "EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL Instruction Manual."

You can buy CF cards here for $9.95 each:
http://www.flash-memory-store.com/2gb-compact-flash.html?gclid=CJrM8p247cACFZTm7Aod7GEAmg

You can get the battery and charger at a very reasonable price here:
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Battery-for-Canon-BP-511-Pack-of-2/4387671/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Compact-Battery-Charger-Set-for-Canon-BP-511/4409652/product.html

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The way I see it, every time someone asks this kind of question the answers could be conflicting creating more confusion to something that should be very simple.
Let me start by saying that regardless of age, if in good condition all cameras will do their job and that the quality of the pictures will depend primarily on the operator.
I am a Nikon user but I have no experience with the D5300 and obviously none whatsoever with the camera you saw in the ad.
Something to keep in mind is how much new technology you need for your present photographic knowledge. A camera such as the one you saw in that ad should do well for a beginner IF it is in good condition and has low mileage. On the other hand a more modern camera will have more and better pixels and obviously an improved quality in the pictures although that could be marginal except at high ISO settings.
You have been suggested by another member of the forum a more modern camera for your level and it is a great idea for the price stated. Once you understand the principles of photography and your style is defined then you will be in a better position, without asking anyone for help, which next camera and lenses to buy.
Good luck and begin to post for critique to continue to improve your photographic skill.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

It seems you have made up your mind as its all you can afford at the moment, problem solved!

Kuzano

I'd be inclined to say that the Nikon 5300 will be sharper with all lenses used, as the 5300 followed the same route toward sharper images by removing the Low Pass Filtering (or AA filter) from the camera. They did this with the Nikon D800e (which was a change from the D800) They also did this in the D7100.. for sharpness. Subsequently they did the 5300 as well.

Other camera manufacturer's have taken this course to remove the negative sharpening aspect of AA filtering. I encountered this sharpness advantage of weakening the low pass filtering in an Olympus E-PL1 purchased a few years ago. Oly has since removed such filtering.

I have read that is slightly incorrect, in that they have weakened it substantially. However, I do not think any of the OM-D products or PENs for the last two years have such a filter at all.

As far as I know, Canon has not touched the low pass AA filter system on their camera's, hence, particulary on the FF 6D have been experiencing problems with "moire patterns" in video.

Long technical story, but bottom line is I will no longer entertain purchases of ANY NEW camera technology with the low pass system intact.

Good news is, in concurring with the comments from Camerapapi, there are tons of good camera's out there, built in the last few years, available used, refurbished, or new.

It really depends on how particular you are and how good your images MUST be to pass muster, both for you and/or recipients and clients.

Of the two, I'd opt for the Nikon D5300, almost on that one point alone.... AA vs No AA.

If you wanted to simply go leaps and bounds ahead of your first digital camera, purchasing a FACTORY REFURBISHED camera onw or two models older will save you a lot of money, and be as satisfactory as those you are considering.

How critical you are on image quality should be your final determinant. Most people won't be as critical of your own work as you are, in any event.

amehta Loc: Boston

An 8-10 year old camera might be right for the OP. But the CL seller should be avoided.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Well the way I read what he the OP has said he seems to fixed on the camera! You and I know better than to buy from CL and the advice we give him the old saying you can lead a horse to water he may not drink it?
We all gave him what he ask for so now its his decision?

amehta Loc: Boston

He knew enough to ask if the sale seems legit. Hopefully he will see why most of us said it is not.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

On the Canon side, unless you NEED a touch screen and in camera HDR skip the t5i and get the less expensive t3i. Save your money for lenses and future GAS! (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Sol and others.
Why is it not possible that a camera sat on a shelf for 5 years?
It's quite possible that the guy is just as honest as you and me. And any one of us may be a crook and a con artist.
Have you never looked in chit/chat. I wouldn't trust anybody that hangs out in there and says the things they say.
One of the first lenses I bought brand new was from B&H. I bought with confidence. Right? Wrong!! About two years later I found out how to use the date codes on the Canon lenses. Turns out the lens was about 5 years old the day I bought it. Yes it was brand new, but it was sold to me as if it was a recently produced lens, it was not.
It's quite possible that Mr. Kens seller bought the camera brand new from a seller that could not sell it cause it was so out of date and blew it out as a loss for a couple of hundred dollars as old brand new stock.
Of COURSE nobody would pay full price for an outdated camera! :lol: :lol:
And here we GO again!!
Ken has said he can afford $75. And here go with all the $400-$500 suggestions!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS

amehta Loc: Boston

Yes, it is possible the camera sat on the shelves for 8 years. But I think it is much more likely that the seller is misrepresenting the situation in some way.

As for "all the $400-$500 suggestions", Ken also said, "I am looking at the Canon T5i or the Nikon D5300."

mtbear

I've posted this before but it's worth repeating. Choose the lenses you want first. Study features, range of available lenses and consider your possible future needs. Once invested in lenses, unless you're rich. you're less likely to switch platforms if you find a lens you really want.