This time, I do not have lots to spend and I just wanted a cheap / used SLR, mostly for ability to manual focus and flash hotshoe. I want to do studio like shoots of my family, wife and kids. I have a Vivtar 285vh flash, radio transmiter, umbrella and all I am missing is a used, good condition DSLR that works properly...

I have weeks looking in the local craigslist, no luck.

I turn to ebay, you can easily find a new product for $80 more then what you will pay for a used product on ebay. Crazy.

Finally, I got carried away with bitting on an auction and won an XTI. I got it in during the week so I did have much time to play with it or check it out. Finally tried to some studio work, when I go to slide in the flash on the hot shoe, the flash would not slide in, one of the rails was bended. Thankfully I am dealing with a responsible ebayer and agreed to a return with full refund.

Yesterday I see a Nikon D70s for sale on craigs list, body only $350. I meet the person, proud dog owner shows up with her dog in the car a camera full of dog hair, with a lens that won't autofucus and the plastic body has a crag on the bottom. I ask if price is negotiable, owners states camera is in brand new condition and she won't not go below $325. I tell owner I need to think about it.

This morning I receive an email from the owner to wish me good luck in my finds, right after me someone paid $335 for the camera... Who in the right mind would pay so much money for a dirty camera with a crack ?

This morning I noticed a Canon XT kit $325 that showed up on craigslist, I met the owner this morning, camera kept in good condition, but you could tell its been used to the bones, it was not a queen sitting inside a bag for most of its life. I ask for a break, out of desperation for a camera I offered $300, owner declined. I look up on ebay, people are paying around $370 average for an old XT Kit, who are these people, what are they on ?

So, I have decided to just come up with $750 and get a brand new setup, new technology, better kit lens, clean, no dog hair and no cracks...

XS with IS Kit, 270 EX, and 50mm 1.8 EF, all new for a total of $750.

Sorry about being a crying baby, I just need to vent and release...