Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eslguyinsanbon]

Hey. I'm in the market for a new camera and thinking about picking up an entry-level DSLR (owned a "prosumer" point and shoot before).
Thinking along the lines of the Nikon D40, Canon XTi, etc. Was curious about two things. First, do any of you out there own either of these (or a similar camera)?
And, second, if you purchased them here in Korea, what did you pay for them, and where?
Would love any help from you camera enthusiasts out there...

Thanks again.

[Golem]

Both camera's you are talking about are excellent entry-level DSLR's. If you can, I would suggest buying one used as the cost for such a camera would likely be excellent. If you buy one new go to Namdaemun or Yongsan and make sure to ask for a Japanese import version (they are cheaper but have no warranty).
Personally I have the Cannon you are talking about and am quite happy.

[ttompatz]

[gaelforce]

Make sure EVERYTHING is in working order if you go for the Japanese option.

I picked one up at the weekend in Namdaemun (for 420, so guess I should have shopped around a bit more if they'rte going for 400 these days). The dude checked the camera in the store with one of his own batteries and it was fine.

When I got home, BOTH the original and replacement battery were bad. Took a lot of wrangling on the phone on Monday (from one of my Korean mates) to get a replacement, and the guy, while polite to my mate on the phone, was very ratty about giving me an actual Nikon battery instead of a cheapo 3rd party one.

Whatever the warranty issues behind the cost-cutting, selling stuff that's bad out of the box is bad business. I paid for a working Nikon battery and that's what I should be entitled to, no questions.

Anyhow, I now have 2 working batteries and can go snap happy with my D40.

[climber159]

I suggest also checking out the Samsung GX-1S DSLR. It's around 500,000KRW for the body and the 18-55mm lens. Unlike the Nikon D40, it has digital menu on the top of the body. It also has a larger LCD display and, I think produces better images than the D40. The camera is actually a Pentax with Samsung's name on it so most Pentax lenses will work with it (the K-mounts)

I own both a Samsung GX-1S and a Nikon D50 (now discontinued) and prefer the Samsung to the Nikon.

[superdave]

D40 is a good camera ... and the D40x has more balls if you're prepared to drop in a few more coins.

i wrote a guide about buying cameras in korea and getting the best prices.

http://www.davidsmeaton.com/index.php/2007/09/super-daves-korean-camera-buying-guide/

i'm a nikon shooter and they're great cameras. i'd highly recommend them.

as for the japanese ones (gray market) i don't see any serious issues. you save some $$$ and most camera-based problems (theft, dropping, water damage, etc) are not covered by warranty anyway.

we also have a camera group on flickr: www.flickr.com/groups/seoulphotoclub

good luck camera hunting!

cheers

david
www.davidsmeaton.com

[barefoot]

you should check out http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

[ucbhanna]

I'm considering selling my brand new D40, if you're interested. It includes the body, 18-55m lens, AND 55-200mm LENS with lens hood which sells for like 200.

Additional accessories: UV filter, SD stick, and rechargable battery.

Still in box.

Oh, I will also include a semi-soft case which sells for 40-50 bucks.

Asking 600,000 KRW for the whole package

[pkson]

D40's a great camera, but now that the D90 came out D80's in Korea have dropped to the floor. Now you can get a D80 body for less than 600K.

But anyways, yeah, D40's, D40x's are really nice. I had one, loved it.

Get a second-hand camera. The ones that people sell are usually pretty new and the people who sell theirs are usually people who bought one and didn't know what to do with it, so most of them haven't been used that much.