OK, got fed up trying to buy a cheap second hand camera on TradeMe. Local dept store was having a 20% off sale so picked up a new 1200D single lens kit for $500, only $50 -$70 dearer than what was being asked for 450D-1100D bodies only.
Plan is to mod the 450D for IR and possibly cold finger and use the 1200D for imaging then mod that later. In the meantime I gain more pixels and ISO with a newer low noise sensor plus a Canon lens (18 -55 ) which I was also trying to buy cheap for testing later.
Time to clear some bench space downstairs
