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Buying a used D300

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Strapman

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I am likely going to buy a D300. Based on my research, I think this is the best DSLR in my price range. I decided to save some money and buy a used D300 off of Craig’s list. The current D300 owner just upgraded to a full frame D700. . This camera has about 4,500 shutter actuations. I negotiated the price down to $1,100 for the body. I think that’s a pretty good deal. I am going to take a look at it ….and most likely buy it.

I hope to become an active participant on this board. I have been lurking on this board the last few weeks and it’s a great source of information. Any advice on this endeavor would be appreciated.
 
I'd be careful off of Craigs list. While I haven't purchased anything I have had freinds who got less than what they bargained for... Good Luck.
 
I suppose if you want it right now and it's in practically mint condition then it makes sense.

However I do think the D300 will be down to around $1100/1200 new within the next 3 months or so - must admit I'm a bit of a junkie for that 'new camera' smell...
 
Congrats and good luck for the purchase.

Make sure everything is included as negotiated and in good working condition.

A lot of people are making bogus claims for selling stuff. So make him bring the D700. Tell him you're just curious to see how goot it is.

If you're going to meet for the transaction, test that everything is in perfect condition. You can back off if there's something you don't like.

What's your current camera by the way?

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just me :)
Teddy
 
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Thanks for the advice,

I am going into it with my eyes wide open. So far, I have had great experiences with Craigs list. The seller is 84 years old... and seems to be like a pretty neat guy. I sure hope I have his passion for Photography when I reach his age.
 
I really cant wait till after Christmas. My son will be home from Calf. next week. I agree with you.....that the price of the D300 will drop after the first of the year. The seller is throwing in an extra battery and CF card.
 
Thanks for the advice Teddy.
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I am using a Canon Powershot A630. Back in the day.... I shot with a Rebel film camera... and I really missed the quality of film when I switched to digital. I am looking forward to getting back into photography again. I have Photoshop Elements 5.0
 
Strapman said:
I really cant wait till after Christmas. My son will be home from
Calf. next week. I agree with you.....that the price of the D300 will
drop after the first of the year. The seller is throwing in an extra
battery and CF card.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. You've got a good reason to use and enjoy it. I don't have the money right now or I'd probably have given in too...
 
I purchased mine from CraigsList as well. If you have a laptop I would recommend bringing it along to check the images before committing to the purchase. In my case the seller was the original purchaser and provided me with a copy of the receipt showing that the camera was still under warranty. In the event that service is needed he agreed to act on my behalf to send in the camara. This is the next best thing to buying it yourself especially if the seller is a nice guy in your local area.
 
If it's "new", he has the box with everything in it, and you can slap a lens on and take some pics before you buy, it sounds like a fair deal to me. Just bought a new D300 myself from Abe's for $1309 but 4500 snaps is nothing for a D300.
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Warren
 
Also take some test pictures with the lens cap on, I would recommend 1/4th of a second. This will show you any dead or hot pixels. If there are a few I wouldn't worry about it because all cameras have them, but if it looks like christmas lights I would pass on the camera.
 
Sounds OK, but what is a refurb/demo price from Cameta, something to check out. If it is within $100-150, I'd go that direction, it will have a warranty. Remember Nikon's warranties are not transferable.

Tom
 
Yeah - but those Cametta auctions are such a PITA - you wait 2 or 3 days and at the last minute get sniped off and loose the buy! Then you have to cast about for ANOTHER auction and wait ANOTHER couple days... I found a "like new" D300 and NOBODY was bidding on it. Got it for the $1100 price and it IS PRISTINE! But yes -

IF you can manage to win one of those refurbs, the extra warranty is nice. Just a hassle to deal with the competitive auction stuff - and still may not get that good a price.
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Who was Ansel Adam's Ansel Adams?
 
WD said:
If it's "new", he has the box with everything in it, and you can slap
a lens on and take some pics before you buy, it sounds like a fair
deal to me. Just bought a new D300 myself from Abe's for $1309 but
4500 snaps is nothing for a D300.
--
Warren
Click to expand...
Not trying to highjack this thread, but I see that at abe's the d300 is Priced $ 1,465.95 how did you get it for 1309

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Bill
http://www.pbase.com/bmwgsbill
 
bmwgsbill said:
WD said:
If it's "new", he has the box with everything in it, and you can slap
a lens on and take some pics before you buy, it sounds like a fair
deal to me. Just bought a new D300 myself from Abe's for $1309 but
4500 snaps is nothing for a D300.
--
Warren
Click to expand...
Not trying to highjack this thread, but I see that at abe's the d300
is Priced $ 1,465.95 how did you get it for 1309

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/bmwgsbill
Click to expand...
Got an e-mail from Abe's early this month with 1-day discount price + special rebate + loyalty rebate when purchased with 18-200mm VR lens. Everything with free shipping and 4gb Transcend 133x card for $1959. It came at right time, as a recent burglary had divested me of my D200, D70 and several lenses.
--
Warren
 
Got my Demo D300 from Cameta in Nov . $1187 plus $100 off with Pay Pal code . Net $1087 plus shipping . The camera came in Pristine condition with only 12 shutter activation on it . I also charged it on a CC that extends the mfg warranty for up to 2 year . After the 90 day warranty from Nikon , Cameta Camera picks up the balance for a total of 1 year . Great dealer !
Tom Monego said:
Sounds OK, but what is a refurb/demo price from Cameta, something to
check out. If it is within $100-150, I'd go that direction, it will
have a warranty. Remember Nikon's warranties are not transferable.

Tom
Click to expand...
 
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