Used DSLR Bodies....

[Hornseeker]

I have no lenses...so am not biased to Canon or Nikon....

Which "used" sub $600 bodies should I be looking for???

[uncoolperson]

I'm still a big fan of my nikon d50

ebays with stuff for well inside your price range

[Hornseeker]

Which ones are full frame???

[popeshawnpaul]

Do you want full frame for wildlife?  I'd be looking at a Canon 40D or Nikon D200.

[Hornseeker]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-40D-Digital-SLR-Camera-w-28-135-Zoom-Lens-IS_W0QQitemZ220489035523QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item33562baf03

Is it best to buy something like this to get started....or just buy the body...then go with a better lens...

I can tell you this...I would have to limit my first lenses to like $500 or less...

[Hornseeker]

If a guy is going to go DSLR...he may as well go full frame...right? 

[popeshawnpaul]

That's not a great but not a bad lens.  What do you want to shoot?  That will dictate what lens you get...

[popeshawnpaul]

If a guy is going to go DSLR...he may as well go full frame...right? 

No, I don't want a full frame.  My camera is a crop and always has been...

[popeshawnpaul]

Did you read this?

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17434.0.html

In general, you only want a full frame camera if you don't need reach with a lens for distant wildlife.  If you shoot general around the house shots and landscape shots, you want full frame.  If you want to shoot wildlife from a distant, it's nice to have a 1.6x crop factor...

[Hornseeker]

I'll read that...

Shawn, I'd be shooting wildlife, scenery and family.... Lots of variation....

What are you shooting? I thought the 40d was full frame.... I'll go read that thread...I probably have already...

[popeshawnpaul]

40D is a crop body.  A good quality starter lens is the 17-40mm f4 L for about $500 used...  For wildlife, the best option right now is a 300mm f4 L IS for about $900 used.  The crop body gives you more reach so your 300mm (6x) lens would be the equivalent to 300mm *1.6 = 480mm (9.5x). 

[Hornseeker]

Thanks!

[wapiti hunter2]

My issue with DSLR bodies in Washington is are they waterproof.   if not then there is a whole other can of worms.  All of the Canon L series are waterproof and I have used them for years.  However, I still use a 10D non waterproof body.  it is hard to get excited about 6 months of the year because it will almost always rain. If I must, I get out my old EOS 1N.  Rain or No I can still shoot.  But film.........

[huntnphool]

 I've had my 20D for 5 years, hunted and hiked in the worst of conditions with it and have not had a problem. Like anything else, if you are prepared for the weather and take care of it there wont be an issue.

[popeshawnpaul]

The new 1 series cameras are weather proofed and the new 7D camera I just got is as well.  The xxD series generally isn't.  If you have some L series lenses then a decent camera could be the next step?...