Canon 50D

[eisman]

So, I'm looking to get a DSLR. Had one before, gave it to a college student I know who was headed to Europe for a year and (like all students) was broke.

I've been looking around, and had narrowed the choice to the Nikon D90 or Canon 50D. Price being right around $1k, which is okay, considering.

Then I find this place with the 50D body for less than $300. I can guess it's stripped, minus the accessories, but that's okay. I can get batteries, etc, without too much trouble. And I have Canon lenses (not AF, but again, they'll work).

I like the Canon. It matches the feel of my old A-1, and I'm used to the way the lenses work (opposite Nikon).

So I call, and the guy says, "you know it's just the body?" I tell him that's OK, what more could I need? His reply is that I'll need the software, and that's another $500!!! That's absurd.

So, my questions is, anybody got the software? Or know exactly why it's so freaking expensive? Or is this guy just jerking my chain?

I hate folks who work to jerk people around like this. Really, I don't need anything more than the body and maybe a new lense. I've got filters, cases, tripods, other junk. I just don't want to buy a "package" full of stuff I'll never use.

Anybody got a recommendation, or want to help by loaning some software?

If I don't get this I'll probably still keep looking, or just buy a used 40D if I can find on cheap.

[hwyhobo]

Then I find this place with the 50D body for less than $300.
No, it's a ripoff. It doesn't work that way. They will NOT sell you the body for $300. This is just a teaser. If you do not buy what they want, you will not see the camera. Check resellerratings.com.

And I have Canon lenses (not AF, but again, they'll work).
If you have FD lenses, no they won't work. Canon completely changed the mount. Adapters do not always help, even if you can find one.

So, my questions is, anybody got the software? Or know exactly why it's so freaking expensive? Or is this guy just jerking my chain?
He is ripping you off. Run.

If I don't get this I'll probably still keep looking, or just buy a used 40D if I can find on cheap.
You can still buy new 40D if you look around.

Do yourself a favor and check these resellers:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
http://www.amazon.com/ (but make sure the item is sold and shipped from Amazon)
http://www.adorama.com/

This is my Easter gift to you. ;)

[MrsKitty]

If you are looking for used, check Keh. I picked up a film body from there in January that was rated "good" but looked almost brand new. I'm not sure how their used digital stuff is priced but the EOS film bodies were a lot cheaper than B&H.

[airmotive]

Also check the classifieds forum on POTN (Photography On The Net).
It's the Canon camera's version of Glock Talk.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

So, which New York ripoff shop were you calling?
B&H, Adorama and Abe's are about the only shops out there that don't use bait and switch as their core business plan.

Also, I have the 50D and the bundled software is not required. In fact, I've since uninstalled it from my computer.

Speaking from experience, if you did stick to your guns and insisted on only ordering the camera body, your camera would not ship until you buy all the other "stuff" at bloated prices. You would keep getting notifications that you have to call the company to work out some 'issues' with your order. You call and find that the issue is that you need to order more stuff with this camera. You would continue to get the runaround for 60 days (the cutoff point for disputing your credit card charge) and then they would simply stop talking to you and keep your money. You would then file a complaint with the BBB, which the company would toss in the trash with the thousands of other BBB complaints.