camera deals...

17 September 2009

Last year, I *happened* to be in Target, (which you know doesn't happen very often) and some red clearance signs caught my eye in the camera department. I went on over to see what was going on, and the guy said they were clearancing out a bunch of last years models to make way for the new ones coming in for the holidays. I had been wanting to upgrade my point and shoot camera, but the prices were holding me back.

Among the cameras was the Canon Rebel XT, and the price on it was $349.98, down from $599.99. It seemed like a good deal to me, and then the guy said, that is our only one left, and since it's the floor model, it will be an additional 30% off, making it $244.99. My heart started beating very fast, but that was still a lot of money.
I decided to wait and ask some experts.



I got home, emailed some of my camera-savvy friends, and they all said to get my hiney back to Target and get it pronto. (thank you Shandy, Lynette, and Anna!)

So, I did and I have never regretted it~my husband, and both sets of parents all pitched in and it was a Merry Christmas to me! :)

I still don't know what I'm doing, I pretend, and stay mostly in the automatic zone, but I'm slowly figuring it out and loving it.



Why am I telling you this? I was in Target last weekend and they were starting to mark the cameras down. I looked at my receipt from last year, and it was September 24, so 'tis the season! I don't think Canon is coming out with a new model this year, so there were none of those on clearance, but Nikon is, so guess how much the D40 floor model was at my store?
$294.01

Wowsers. It's on Amazon right now for $470, and that's on sale.

I called our other Target, and theirs was only down to $400, so it varies from store to store, but check yours! And ask how much they will take off for the floor model. And remember that you can still buy the 3 yr warranty for like $40, even for the floor model. They also had some point and shoots on clearance.


I'm pretty sure it's the same one the Nester uses too and her pics are always fab:
photo: Nesting Place

** Edited to Add **: Nester emailed back and said,
"Yeps--that's the one I have and it has held up to me carrying it around in my entirely too big purse right next to a cold, unopened, sweaty diet coke. My husband even got the repair insurance on it because he was so sure I would destroy it. It's been 2 years and I have yet to break it! I LOVE it!"

Just wanted to share in case anyone is looking for a great deal on a SLR camera. What about you~do you have this camera or one you would recommend? Have ever gotten a crazy good deal on a camera?

Do tell..

31 comments

  1. I have the Rebel...Love it! And it was way more than 294.01!

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  2. I own the Nikon D40 and love it. I did upgrade a few month after I bought it to include a second lens which I will still be able to use if I ever want to upgrade to a more advanced Nikon model. Love it and would recommend it 100%.

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  3. Wow! Nikon is a great brand...I'd love to own a D40. Maybe someday. :) Thanks for the great tips on the markdowns!

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  4. I have the Rebel! I think I got the same deal you did last September. I'd been coveting the Rebel for a few years and was ecstatic to find the display model for such a great price!

    I just upgraded to a better lens last month and am loving it. However, I'm still mostly in automatic mode, too. That camera has so many features - I'm still struggling to learn everything.

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  5. Saw the same deal at my Target on Monday. Our was $419. though. Not sure how many they have left because although I WANTED IT SO BADLY!!!, I am having a hard time justifying the $$$. Hopefully they will all go to loving, happy homes. tee hee!

    XO*Tricia

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  6. That IS a good deal! I bought a Rebel recently on a good sale, though not as good as that one, and I have loved it ever since. I only shoot in auto, since my eyesight is not good enough to focus and adjust manually. Because with PhotoShop, everything can be fixed!

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  7. How did you know that I was just shopping online for the D40 yesterday? I called our area Targets and 2 have only the display models for $419.98, but they won't mark it down any further. A 3rd store has one left in the box, so I'm thinking that one may be mine (I hope!) I have a film Nikon SLR that I love, but hardly use since we bought a digital point and shoot. The delay on the point and shoot drives me crazy so I have been wanting to upgrade for about a year.
    Thank you so much for the tip!
    Teresa

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  8. hmmmm...I have the rebel, but it wouldn't hurt to check out the sales...maybe I should get a nikon too..LOL. My hubby will LOVE to hear about this...thanx..LOL

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  9. I got the best deal on my Canon Rebel. FREE!!! Luckily I have a son who is into photography & he upgraded his camera & gave me his old one which is the Canon Rebel for my birthday. I still need to figure out how it works though. So I've still been using my Sony point & shoot until then.

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  10. I am dialing the numbers to our local Targets as I write!

    Thanks,Laura

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  11. Oh My. My heart is seriously skipping its beats. Oh how I *wish* I had the money to get one...darn our one income family!!

    Now I know when to look for one though.....September it is!

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  12. That's such a good deal. I bet that camera at your store will go really fast. I wish I had one. :)

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  13. I have own the Nikon D40... LOVE it! If you want to see photos taken with it, all of the photos on my blog are... all with very little if any help from photoshop. It is my first digital camera and so glad it was the one I decided on.

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  14. Um hello Fate?! I've been begging my husband all YEAR to get me a new camera! :) That's exactly what I wanted! Hmmm.. now you've got me thinking how I can make this happen for Christmas..for me .. haha :)

    Thanks! You and your deals I tell ya. It's like a free personal shopper! :)

    Rachelle

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  15. I just got my Nikon D40 for Mother's Day - I LOVE it!! I'm really trying to learn how to use it out of Auto!! - I've bought a few books and things are starting to "click".....LOL

    What an AWESOME deal your Target has!!

    ~TidyMom

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  16. When I bought my camera (a Canon S3IS), my mad need for instant gratification got me, and I don't think I even compared prices! ;) Wow, things have changed since then...

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  17. Great buy on the camera! I have a Nikon D50 and love it, but I went with a Nikon because I already had the lenses, flash, and other accessories, so I bought a refurbished body.

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  18. Congrats on your new camera and the nice comment you left on my blog recently. I love everything about your blog down to the movie, It's A Wonderful Life.

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  19. My favorite topic..cameras! Those are super deals, wow that Rebel, you were almost stealing it!
    I have the Nikon D5000, and have no regrets!!

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  20. You are sooo good!! Once again!

    I really really NEED a camera. Hmm...that is very good. Those are the two cameras that I have pricing for a WHILE now :) I will be praying (and scheming) about this :)

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  21. Those are great deals!!! I have the Rebel Xsi and even though I enjoy using it I would have much rather paid these prices for a different camera. Thank you for sharing, I think everyone should be able to afford a decent camera without taking out a loan!

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  22. I just love it when you share little tips like this! Thank you!

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  23. thanks for the gerat tip! i ran down to my local target to check it out. Mine are priced at $419, even though that is a good price, I decided to play my luck and wait until Sunday to see if it goes down anymore and/or if there are any left! :)

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  24. I have the Rebel from 3 years ago that I bought off ebay used and has been awesome! It's hard to go back to the little tiny camera's once you start getting much better pictures from the point and SLR. I've been wanting to upgrade to the new Canon Rebel HD version that has video but, like you I'm waiting until the price comes way down! I will have to check our local target as my kids want cameras and they arent allowed to use mine:). It might be a great time to pick them up one as a christmas gift. Thansk for the heads up!

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  25. No Target here in Canada, but I will be taking everyone's price tips and keeping an eye out for either the Nikon or the Canon Rebel. I am hoping to be able to buy one soon. I also want a Kitchenaid stand mixer, but the camera would be so much more fun.

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  26. Oh MY GOSH. I LOVE YOU for posting this camera post when you did. I saw your post last night and immediately called our nearest Target. They were all sold out of the D40's but I was able to snag one at a Target in a nearby town. My heart skips a beat every time I hold it in my hand. I have wanted an SLR for a while now. YAY!!!

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  27. I have a Nikon D80 and LOVE it! I purchased it online at walmart.com and it was around $100 cheaper than everywhere else. And walmart's warranties are less than half the cost of anyone elses!!

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  28. AHHH!!! Why am I seeing this post NOW???? I bet it's not at any of my Targets. I NEED this. Okay, maybe I am being a bit dramatic but, AHHH!

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  29. Wahoo... went and got me one! Thanks! Can't wait to play!

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