D2HS Prices?

Sorry if there's a better place to look for this information, but I can't seem

to find that place. I'm looking to buy a D2HS for a trip I will be taking in a

few months, and have found what (currently) look like good prices for a used

camera ($1900 for a D2HS in good condition, only about 5000 clicks). However,

with the D300 and D3 coming out I don't necessarily want to look back on the

market in half a year and realize I paid $1000 too much! I guess I'm in a bit

of a dilemma, since I want to get used to the camera before the trip but should

probably wait for prices to come down... just bad timing! Are there any

thoughts on how the D2HS prices will react to the new cameras coming out?

Expect them to nosedive when the D300 starts arriving in quantity. But that likely won't happen until next spring.

Do you really need a d2hs.You could get a d1h real cheap now if you can find one and pick up a d2hs layer when the prices drop or pick up a used d70s now for your trip and sell it when you get back.

Have you considered renting equipment?? Just a thought.

I wonder how many D2Hs are currently being used and will be replaced by the D3. Most current sports and action photographers are using Canon, namely the 1D Mark II, IIn and III. If the D3 is really that great, some may switch to the D3 (and need to buy new lenses), but they wouldn't be selling any D2Hs.

Buy a Fuji Pro 5 ... you can find one for about 900 bucks. Nice camera, and after your trip I will buy it from you (in good condition) for 700!!! Or keep it as a second body.

 

good luck,

 

michael.

I can't speak for others but I wouldn't sell or trade my D2H for what for my purposes would amount to a nominal sidegrade to a D300. Maximum image quality isn't my priority. I can't see spending upward of $2,000 or more for that when a $200 FM2N and a few rolls of film will accomplish the same thing. But for those several-hundred shot action sessions, the D2H is still good enough. If the budget permitted I might add a D300 or D3.

 

Anyway, I'm not sure how soon a good used D2H or D2Hs might appear on the market. I'm not seeing any locally. I'm not even seeing a good used D50 locally. The folks at the camera shop I spoke with the other day said owners seem to be satisfied with theirs and aren't looking to "upgrade" every year or so.

Nikon hasn't discontinued the D2Hs yet and it took them 6-9 months after they introduced the D80 to discontinue the D70, D50 series and they are still found new as old stock. The Nikon D50 has held on to its value, used prices are about at 80% of it's selling price when it was discontinued.

Jason, $1000 to have the camera you want now is not a catastrophe. I spent more than that on 35mm film and processing during my last trip to Asia. It's just a travel expense, like everything else.

KEH.com has several D2H bodies and a smaller number of D2Hs. I think the D2H prices are a more accurate reflection of where the market will drive D2Hs pricing after the D3 is in circulation.

 

FWIW, I paid about $1,000 for a 'bgn' D2H from KEH about a year ago. It's my 'second shooter' to my D2Hs. I am following the D3 with some interest, but I need some more real world data before I decide if I'm going to buy one (i.e., how do the microlenses interact with my existing lens set).

I'm interested in where D2HS prices go as I have one I may be selling in a few months. It is

an excellent camera with fantastic image quality. I owned a D2H before the HS and there is a

difference, a real difference even in the RAW file.

 

For an upcoming project (begins this weekend) I bought a D200 last week as I know the

publisher will want a larger file than the D2HS will deliver. Then in Nov. when the D3 arrives

I'll have to sell a 3 month old 2k click D200 or the D2HS. Still not sure which I'll sell. The

D3/300 announcements changes things for sure but I do believe the D2HS quality with very

handy small files that kick butt will always have a place.