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Concerned on D800 purchase

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Judy Stone

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Hi all, I'll be purchasing the D800 in the US but I'll be staying for a few days and won't have time to return it for an exchange. Given the numerous reviewers in various forums reporting the AF issue, and following Hogan's recommendation:

"If you buy a new D800, look for any evidence the box has been opened and the camera been used in any way (i.e. might be a returned unit). If you don't get the prompt for setting the date and time, for example, there's a chance that the camera has been returned and you need to ask some tough questions of your source."

What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
 
Judy Stone said:
Hi all, I'll be purchasing the D800 in the US but I'll be staying for a few days and won't have time to return it for an exchange. Given the numerous reviewers in various forums reporting the AF issue, and following Hogan's recommendation:

"If you buy a new D800, look for any evidence the box has been opened and the camera been used in any way (i.e. might be a returned unit). If you don't get the prompt for setting the date and time, for example, there's a chance that the camera has been returned and you need to ask some tough questions of your source."

What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Also get the shutter count.
Anyone know how to do this on a D800? is it part of the EXIF of the pic?
 
Wait for an official Nikon statement about this issue according to me...
Judy Stone said:
Hi all, I'll be purchasing the D800 in the US but I'll be staying for a few days and won't have time to return it for an exchange. Given the numerous reviewers in various forums reporting the AF issue, and following Hogan's recommendation:

"If you buy a new D800, look for any evidence the box has been opened and the camera been used in any way (i.e. might be a returned unit). If you don't get the prompt for setting the date and time, for example, there's a chance that the camera has been returned and you need to ask some tough questions of your source."

What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
--
Cenk Ogurtani
http://www.facebook.com/CenkOgurtaniWildlifePhotography
 
garyhgaryh said:
Also get the shutter count. Anyone know how to do this on a D800? i
Click to expand...
The shutter count is in the EXIF - but cannot be viewed in Nikon software.

They way I checking is post and display an image on flickr, select actions (top left option above the picture), select EXIF and scroll down (there are about 120 items) to shutter activations.

--
Leonard Shepherd

Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.
 
From recent posts USA serial numbers start with 3 - "new new" stock should have a serial number over 40,000.
--
Leonard Shepherd

Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.
 
If you are using Apple open a nef file in the previewer. Go to tools and select "show viewer". Klick on the Nikon tab and there you have it.
 
Judy Stone said:
Hi all, I'll be purchasing the D800 in the US but I'll be staying for a few days and won't have time to return it for an exchange. Given the numerous reviewers in various forums reporting the AF issue, and following Hogan's recommendation:

"If you buy a new D800, look for any evidence the box has been opened and the camera been used in any way (i.e. might be a returned unit). If you don't get the prompt for setting the date and time, for example, there's a chance that the camera has been returned and you need to ask some tough questions of your source."
Click to expand...
I though set up time request is definite proof of new/used camera, i.e. if asked, camera is new, if time is already set, is used. Does anybody get new camera and hasn't been asked to set up time? Or other way around, asked to set up time on used unit?
 
You may be unlucky and get a new one with a problem so it's a bit of a risk either way

Also the AF issue (mine was fine) isn't the only thing that can go wrong. personally if I were buying a fairly new model I'd make sure I had an in country warranty

Best of luck, mine has turned out perfect so far (2 months old now)
Judy Stone said:
Hi all, I'll be purchasing the D800 in the US but I'll be staying for a few days and won't have time to return it for an exchange. Given the numerous reviewers in various forums reporting the AF issue, and following Hogan's recommendation:

"If you buy a new D800, look for any evidence the box has been opened and the camera been used in any way (i.e. might be a returned unit). If you don't get the prompt for setting the date and time, for example, there's a chance that the camera has been returned and you need to ask some tough questions of your source."

What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Judy Stone said:
What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
None of the above. All of them have received returns, and are likely to resell them as new.

The only safe bet is to go to a small shop where you know and trust the owner.

What is your situation that you are buying in the USA, but not staying? Is a USA warranty your best choice?
--
Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html
 
Robin Casady said:
Judy Stone said:
What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
None of the above. All of them have received returns, and are likely to resell them as new.
Click to expand...
No reliable dealer would resaell a used camera with a known issue as "new".
I know it has been done but it is not the norm.
 
--
Old timer
 
Leonard Shepherd said:
From recent posts USA serial numbers start with 3 - "new new" stock should have a serial number over 40,000.
--
Leonard Shepherd

Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.
Click to expand...
Maybe I can ask the seller to provide the serial number of the camera that will be shipped to me before purchasing to make sure?
 
CalBoy87 said:
I though set up time request is definite proof of new/used camera, i.e. if asked, camera is new, if time is already set, is used. Does anybody get new camera and hasn't been asked to set up time? Or other way around, asked to set up time on used unit?
Click to expand...
Yes, I wonder if the prompt to set up date/time upon turning on the unit for the 1st time is an assurance of the camera being unused. Does anyone know if a used/returned D800 can be hard reset so that it'll prompt the time/date again?
 
RP McMurphy said:
You may be unlucky and get a new one with a problem so it's a bit of a risk either way

Also the AF issue (mine was fine) isn't the only thing that can go wrong. personally if I were buying a fairly new model I'd make sure I had an in country warranty

Best of luck, mine has turned out perfect so far (2 months old now)
Click to expand...
Yes, a brand new unused camera can be defective, but chances are lower, whereas if you receive a returned unit then the chances are going to be 100% to be defective.

I travel frequently to the US so warranty is not a concern.
 
Robin Casady said:
Judy Stone said:
What is the most reliable online store to purchase the D800 and not end up purchasing a returned unit? Amazon, B&H, Adorama...? Thanks.
Click to expand...
None of the above. All of them have received returns, and are likely to resell them as new.

The only safe bet is to go to a small shop where you know and trust the owner.

What is your situation that you are buying in the USA, but not staying? Is a USA warranty your best choice?
--
Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html
Click to expand...
I travel frequently to the USA, so a USA warranty is fine with me. The main reason I'm buying in the USA is price. I'm buying this camera by end of October approx., so I hope by then this issue will be resolved.
 
You may want to try Best Buy. My local Best Buy has the D800 in Stock (But no D800E). You can pick it one up in the morning, buy the unit you want. Check for any problems and if issues arise just take it back by lunch time.
 
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