Buying a second hand Nikon SLR from a friend I haven't spoken to in a year because of an argument? What do you think?

[belledeux diana]

As I was thinking about the upcoming purchase of a DSLR-and probably

the Nikon D70s as recommended by many of you considering my needs

and price range, I thought about this friend of mine in town who

buys every new Nikon Digital as it comes out.

 

One, he just likes Nikon, and two, he supplies the cameras to his

entourage/wedding team (who are mostly young local girls for minimun

pay and who love being a "photographer" and dressing up and meeting

other dressed up people). The cameras are given out on the location,

and are returned before leaving the location. My friend takes

immaculate care of all his equipment, and I've never seen one of the

girls drop a camera.

 

By now, I'm sure he's in line for the new Nikon ....I forgot what it

is...the D200?

 

So, even though we haven't talked one year, I thought I might ask if

he would give me a good deal..or some deal....on any camera he might

want to get rid of, or have in access. (He's given me a camera

before for my birthday...a Coolpix 900 or something...when they were

only about a year or so old...and I'm sure the deal would be good.

Even after not speaking for a year......)

 

So I guess the question comes down to what about buying used from

what I consider a reliable source? Pros and Cons.

 

Also I'm having this nagging feeling that there's something else I

want...I just haven't thought of it, and no not spending that much

money on what I'd like to have through the next year (a Nikon DSLR)

would be good...until I understand what this nagging feeling

is.....I suspect somewhere that at the back of mind I'm

thinking/longing for a large format camera of some sort.......not

sure......)

 

Okay....thanks for helping me think......

[tholte]

Belle, Live a little and buy a new D70 or D70s, quit fooling around! Get a new one and you don't have to worry about anything for at least a year. You will take so many images that you will kick yourself for waiting so long.

[belledeux diana]

Thanks, kiddo! Every little bit helps....to move on, and as you say...just do it!

[shamrez]

You can not keep pace with the digital cameras. Every six months you would feel that the one you own is garbage.

[Jochen_S]

Having shot a 990 - I was payed to do so and yes, it sucked enough to make me buy Linhofs... - I firmly believe a DSLR like the D70 is a nice thing to have. Get one! If it survived the work at your friends bussiness it should have given no reason to be send in during warranty. - What can you ask more? It's just broken in. Knowing your other friend I feel no need to preach keeping a camera as long as it does the job.

 

These 6MP DSLRs are great sketchbooks and LF is entirely different, so get both. - I myself haven't shot my Linhofs yet - I was too lazy to setup the darkroom, but the DSLR gets some use although I love Leica at the moment.

 

From my own experience I'd call the desire for LF the normal allergic counterreaction to shooting Nikon Coolpix 990 and it vanishes partially as soon as you have a decent DSLR.

 

Happy shooting

[sarahunderhill]

I agree with Tim- Just go buy yourself a new camera! We both shoot Nikon and I love mine....what ever you get you will love.

[rjeffrey]

I concur. The price of a new camera is worth not having to worry about a used camera - especially one that has been handled by multiple users.

[Jochen_S]

O.K. I overlooked the question about buying used. My opinion about it is "yes, always."

 

Cameras lose a bunch of value as soon as you step out of the shop. Causing a first scratch cause s a bad feeling to me, so I prefer looking hard where it might be among all the others.

 

 

Are you sure you'd use a new camera hard enough to make it fall apart during warranty? How many 10000 pics are you planning to take? If you can't imagine more than 20000 now, get the used Nikon and burn the remaining money on a decent Speedgraphic or whatever.

[belledeux diana]

Jochen....funny you should mention the Speedgraphic. Here is an old Post in the Large Format forum I posted a while back. Someone on the forum told me it was a Pacemaker Speed Graphic. Any comments on this post?

<P>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009n4m"> My post on the Pacemaker Speed Graphic.</a>

[jake_cole]

OK after seeing that other thread no wonder you want a DSLR that you can actually put batteries in and just use it. As for buying a used camera from someone you know; SHOULD be OK, and can be very cost effective.

 

The fact that you reveal you have not spoken in a while as a result of an argument is curious; Some tensions there, but you need a good deal on a camera? You want to reestablish contact, and you need a camera? Your worried he might sell you a broken one? Very curious I must say.

 

That box of parts for the Speedgraphic is funny though.

[karen habbestad]

I bought my d100 used two years ago, and haven't had a problem with it. Nor have I felt like it was junk. (some of my lenses yes, but not the camera). Go ahead, re-establish connections and find out what he's willing to part with. Just do it ;-)

[jim_gifford]

Fix the argument thing first.

 

Friends are worth more than cameras are.

 

Be well,

[john falkenstine]

Screw the friend and his groupies. Screw the camera. Go to a store or a pawn shop and buy yourself something neat. The friend should be coming to you to be nice, not the other way around. If its over a year don't bother. He's not a friend.

[w_t1]

This question has nothing to do with photography. Go ask Dear Abby. Imagine if a guy asked this question....