Thorax 48
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posted on 11/6/2009 at 10:02 PM
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Is this a good offer?
Hey all, looking to jump into the photography arena and saw an offer for a used camera kit. Here's the offer below:
(Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens).
Condition: Like New (No Scratches/cosmetic damages)
Bought in: 2008 May (The camera has extended protection plan till May 2010 [worth 130$])
Included:
Camera Body + Battery + Charger + Nikon 18-135mm lens + UV Filter (Worth $1100)
All original Softwares and Manuals
Case Logic Camera Bag (Worth $60)
Extreme III 2GB Flash Card (Worh $40)
Original Receipts
Total worth: $1330
Asking $900 for EVERYTHING (obo).
It sounds like a good deal, but I've yet to begin to really start researching camera stuff, so I don't have any base information to go off of.
Thanks for the input!
-Brad
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The Scotsman
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posted on 11/6/2009 at 10:22 PM
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IMHO, Buy new. You will then have an assurance, but I am a humble and inexperianced user.
Jim.
Buy the camera you want and not the best apparent deal.
Jim
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Politik
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posted on 11/7/2009 at 12:02 AM
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not a good deal at all.
D80 can be found on fred miranda for about 500.. for 900 id drop a few more bucks and get a d300 (about 1200) and a 50mm prirme... run you about 1300
total but youd be much better off
Nikon D700| Fuji S5 Pro | Nikon 105 VR | Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM | Nikon 50mm 1.8 | **Promaster (tamron) 17-50 2.8** ***FOR SALE******| SB-600 | SB-800 |
Promaster FTD-7000m x4 |
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mkeefe
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posted on 11/7/2009 at 04:25 PM
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Honestly, buy new or don't buy at all. The exception is of course if you know the person or trust that they didn't juggle their lenses.
However be careful because even when a lens is dropped it may still not show damage. For example, my 70-200 lens I dropped in Japan:

That lens pictured above has no visible damage (the damage seen is a lens filter/protector) but obviously you would be weary if you were purchasing it
and knew it was dropped. Think of it like Carfax reports when buying a car, only difference being cameras don't have this type of report.
Be smart and don't jump on the first "good deal".
Matt
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Politik
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posted on 11/7/2009 at 04:56 PM
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this is different than what I am used to.. I am a big supporter of used gear.
My D700, D200, and D50 were all purchased used. The Fuji S5 is the only new camera I've purchased. Maybe I have been lucky but if you check
www.fredmiranda.com you can get some great sellers with great product
Nikon D700| Fuji S5 Pro | Nikon 105 VR | Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM | Nikon 50mm 1.8 | **Promaster (tamron) 17-50 2.8** ***FOR SALE******| SB-600 | SB-800 |
Promaster FTD-7000m x4 |
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mkeefe
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posted on 11/7/2009 at 05:58 PM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Politik
this is different than what I am used to.. I am a big supporter of used gear.
My D700, D200, and D50 were all purchased used. The Fuji S5 is the only new camera I've purchased. Maybe I have been lucky but if you check
www.fredmiranda.com you can get some great sellers with great product |
Right, that is where the "trust" comes in. Its all a matter of personal preference really. I know someone that bought a car on Craigslist, site
unseen.. and another that screwed whilst buy an "authentic" Movado watch... lol
Matt
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Thorax 48
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posted on 11/10/2009 at 04:35 PM
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Thanks for the input, all. It seems the general concensus is to buy new unless there is some established trust involved... Thanks!
@ Politik: I didn't have a chance to look at the fredmiranda web site too deeply... it looks like it's a forum for photography enthusiasts and it's
just a matter of coming across someone who has what you need? Assuming they are trustworthy to have good condition kit, that is?
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Politik
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posted on 11/10/2009 at 06:03 PM
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Basically Thorax, seems like there is 100 posts of everything you need for sale daily.
When I wanted my D700 I got it within 3 days of making the firm decision to buy it
Nikon D700| Fuji S5 Pro | Nikon 105 VR | Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM | Nikon 50mm 1.8 | **Promaster (tamron) 17-50 2.8** ***FOR SALE******| SB-600 | SB-800 |
Promaster FTD-7000m x4 |
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kiwicolin
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posted on 11/11/2009 at 12:36 AM
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I'm not against buying used if you have the chance to inspect it in person or get a money-back guarantee.
Make sure it focuses properly and the image is sharp. Try something close and something distant.
Listen for weird sounds while zooming and focusing.
Also shoot an evenly lit surface such as a wall and check for vignetting.
Don't just trust the viewfinder, take the card and transfer the images to a laptop and inspect them.
Also crank up the ISO and check to see if there is excessive noise. Open the aperture up and check for aberration (Color fringing).
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