I am a pensioner of limited means, but I also enjoy using good quality kit. The solution for me is to buy my photographic equipment second-hand. The price of DSLR bodies depreciates faster than cars, and a top-of-the-range camera body which came out 5 years ago, can now be bought second-hand for about one fifth of its original price. Good quality lenses do not depreciate so much, but there are still some good second-hand bargains to be had.

There are obviously risks in buying second-hand, and it is safer to buy from a reputable dealer who will give a guarantee, usually 6 months or so on second-hand kit. 

Are there any others who buy second-hand and have views on this? 

I have bought second hand gear inthe past including a rather battered 85mm F2 nikkor from a pro. It was a superb lens despite having had a hard life "in the field". The focus and aperture rings were firdm and it was a yoy to use, as was a 50mm F1.4 nikkor bought from a shop, and that must have been quite old as it had been converted to A1.

Good advice fro Edward about buying with a guarantee.   

Interesting what you say, Rod,  about equipment used 'in the field'. It may look battered but it means it has been used regularly and presumably has delivered good results. Some second-hand cameras and lenses look in mint condition but this may mean they have had little use for years, and the moving parts may have become 'sticky' . Certainly 'try before you buy' if possible. A reputable camera dealer will always allow you to test the secondhand lens with your camera body, and vice-versa with your lens, if purchasing a body. 

It sounds like you bagged a bargain there, Karen, and an excellent way to get started with a DSLR. The fact that the old lenses can be used with your new camera is an added bonus.

Incidentally, there are many second-hand Canon EF lenses around which were made for the Canon Film SLRs, but work fine with the Canon Full-Frame and Crop Sensor DSLRs. The same cannot be said for the older third-party Canon-fit lenses (eg Tamron, Sigma etc) which may not work on the newer Canon DSLRs. Caveat Emptor  applies.