How does a built in flash relate to the 630?
I'm sure the 1-N for $300 is a better (and heavier) camera. But for $10 or thereabouts how much risk should a buyer beware of?
A lot of risk!
There is no direct relationship of a built-in flash to the 630 (being devoid of it, that's a strong point!). It is worth mentioning though that built-in flash, particularly on the EOS 10 and EOS 5, was one of Canon's archilles heel; with persistent breakages of the front lip (10, 5, 50e), failing retraction mechanism, moisture penetration into the electronics and misalignment (e.g. flash being popped up as it is being put away and then snagged on something, this almost breaking it off). I think more than 200 went in the repairs in the early to mid-1990s, probably many more at Camera Clinic and Camera Exchange in Melbourne.
If the OP is only going to spend $50, one cannot quibble with that, save for recommending it be fully and thoroughly tested before being put to use. That's not a guarantee of serviceability into the future, near of far (for any camera). Even a basic repair (like the lens release button) would cost in excess of $180 with labour (quoting 2004 repair of an EOS 5). A camera may seem to be a bargain too good to refuse, but then something breakes or becomes unserviceable and requires a repair that exceeds its nett worth. What do you do?
1Ns can be had down to $230 (one such making a brief appearance in Melbourne a week ago). They're easily checked with a plug-in device on the service bench reporting shutter activations, roll counts and reset logs (as with the 1V-series)
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