Need some advice on the cheaper Canons

[Sarasocke]

The daughter of a friend of mine is looking to buy a DSLR. She has her eye on the Canon EOS 1000D - it's the cheapest of the newer Canon models.
Being a Nikon person, I don't know the first thing about it.

Anyone have any tips ?

Off hand, I would have said she should get a second hand 500D or even 550D if she can find one, but what do I know 

Anyone?

[picsfor]

Carol,

if this friend is in Germany, might i suggest you drop Forseti a line as she s a Canon user and fairly well versed on going prices as such...
I can comment on the cameras but not the prices 

[Sarasocke]

Hi Andrew !

The 1000D is a good bit cheaper than the 550D. Actually I was in fact after advice about the cameras.

Should she go after a secondhand 500D/550D or a new 1000D ?

[picsfor]

in simple terms Carol - the 550D is the one to get if the budget allows - but looking at prices, there is a significant different in prices of those 3 models.

A second hand 550D should be in extremely good nick given how new the model is - but i suspect your second hand price is still out of your friends daughters budget.

The 1000D is a more than capable camera and will provide enough for her to wet her feet in the world of Digital SLR photography.
The question is whether to get the 1000D with kit lens or get the body with a 50mm f1.8 lens - which will give much better image quality but is restricted to being a prime but great for learning with.

[Sarasocke]

Thanks very much Andrew!