D500 - Worth It the used price?

CaptainAmerica wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

CaptainAmerica wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

Alright, I did it.

I think I found a great deal from a private seller and decided to pull the trigger.

• D500 in excellent aesthetic condition and 25K shutter count
• Original MB-D17
• 2 Original batteries
• Both with box and all
• 1 XQD + Sony Reader
• 1 SD

For €1.100 + shipping and service fee. Let's say a total of €1.150.

It looked good. It just arrived this weekend.

Congratulations, I'd say half-price or less than if all that stuff had been new.

Happy shooting!!

Comparing new prices of all? Way less. The guy was kind enought to leave inside the original bill.

The D500 was paid €2.200 while the MB-D17 €350-ish. For the other stuff, a battery back then was €50, the reader €100 and the XQD not sure, but I would say another €50 being only 32Gb.

It would all sum up to €2800, or something close, so I paid it almost a third. If anything would not turn out to be faulty, I think it was a pretty good price.

Wow, €2,200 for the camera seems high, unless it was the bundle with the 16-80mm lens? Here in US I got the body only new last year (directly from Nikon) for $1,600 (plus sales taxes, so basically $1,700 total). I believe the bundle with the 16-80mm lens was priced around $2,200.

I just checked again out of curiosity and yes. Probably that was a bundle or some sort of cumulative purchase. The D500 seems to have cost around €1.500, can't say if with or without taxes, maybe without considering the date, it would have been a real deal for him otherwise. Anyway, it wasn't last year, but was back in 2016.

The original grip from Nikon is very expensive new, around $360, I got that used from MPB.com, for $119.

Good deal. I looked for it and on MPB was around 240. That's a lot still.

Nonetheless, a very good deal indeed!

Thanks

I just need some XQD/CFe as 32Gb are really low, but damn...they are expensive... I am trying to find some used but it is not easy.

The d500 sensor is only 20.9 MB, so you will get a lot of images with a 32 GB XQD card. Unless you shoot video or do a lot of bursts, you might be okay with it. If you have a large SD card, you can put it in the other slot and store the overflow there.  With an SD card, you will not be able to take full advantage of the D500's super fast shooting and uploading images to your computer would also be slower. Could be a minor inconvenience for you or reasons to get a larger XQD card. XQD cards are used in z cameras so they would help you future proof your kit.

Brev00 wrote:

The d500 sensor is only 20.9 MB, so you will get a lot of images with a 32 GB XQD card. Unless you shoot video or do a lot of bursts, you might be okay with it. If you have a large SD card, you can put it in the other slot and store the overflow there. With an SD card, you will not be able to take full advantage of the D500's super fast shooting and uploading images to your computer would also be slower. Could be a minor inconvenience for you or reasons to get a larger XQD card. XQD cards are used in z cameras so they would help you future proof your kit.

I always use SD cards in my D500 and have never had a problem with 10FPS bursts. One day last year I took 1100 photos (NEF only, lossless compressed) on a 32GB Lexar 2000X card without a problem. It's now $43 at B&H, or $68 for a 64GB.

I just tested it, it slows down after 60 frames continuous.  I never did buy any XQD cards for it or my D850.

Brev00 wrote:

The d500 sensor is only 20.9 MB, so you will get a lot of images with a 32 GB XQD card. Unless you shoot video or do a lot of bursts, you might be okay with it. If you have a large SD card, you can put it in the other slot and store the overflow there. With an SD card, you will not be able to take full advantage of the D500's super fast shooting and uploading images to your computer would also be slower. Could be a minor inconvenience for you or reasons to get a larger XQD card. XQD cards are used in z cameras so they would help you future proof your kit.

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

You may have mentioned it already, if so I apologize: why XQD and not CFexpress? The latter is a newer "standard" and there are more vendors. As an example, this is what can be found in US (not cheap, but I believe less expensive than a XQD card of the same capacity):

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-128GB-Extreme-CFexpress-Card/dp/B085CNSZMC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=3SQ3Z4G5U5SXF&keywords=xqd%2Bcard&qid=1678842713&refinements=p_89%3ALexar%7CSanDisk%2Cp_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A13203834011%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A2224371011&rnid=2224369011&s=pc&sprefix=XQD%2Caps%2C133&sr=1-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&th=1&psc=1

In 2020 Nikon issued a FW update to enable CFexpress compatibility. This article is quite interesting:

https://havecamerawilltravel.com/nikon-d500-memory-cards/#:~:text=The%20Nikon%20D500%20has%20two%20memory%20card%20slots.&text=But%20thanks%20to%20a%20firmware,t%20need%20to%20fill%20both.

LtColDavenport wrote:

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

Just as an indication, on a 32 GB XQD card, from my last shoot I have 647 NEF, and the shots_counter indicates I still have room 3for 350. The camera is set to RAW only.

By experience that shots_counter underestimates the number of shots. I can probably reach over 1100.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

I rarely ever fill the buffer on anything.

The D1, D2h, D200, D300, D3. Not even my film cameras, like my 5.7fps Nikon F4s with a "36-shot buffer."

CaptainAmerica wrote:

You may have mentioned it already, if so I apologize: why XQD and not CFexpress? The latter is a newer "standard" and there are more vendors. As an example, this is what can be found in US (not cheap, but I believe less expensive than a XQD card of the same capacity):

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-128GB-Extreme-CFexpress-Card/dp/B085CNSZMC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=3SQ3Z4G5U5SXF&keywords=xqd%2Bcard&qid=1678842713&refinements=p_89%3ALexar%7CSanDisk%2Cp_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A13203834011%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A2224371011&rnid=2224369011&s=pc&sprefix=XQD%2Caps%2C133&sr=1-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&th=1&psc=1

In 2020 Nikon issued a FW update to enable CFexpress compatibility. This article is quite interesting:

https://havecamerawilltravel.com/nikon-d500-memory-cards/#:~:text=The%20Nikon%20D500%20has%20two%20memory%20card%20slots.&text=But%20thanks%20to%20a%20firmware,t%20need%20to%20fill%20both.

For the moment, that single 32GB XQD I have, I got it from the D500 purchase, so that's it.

And for "the one to buy", honestly, I am simply looking at the best offer. Yes, speaking about new, the CFe are cheaper, more or less, I can confirm it. But in the used market there are more XQD, at least around me.

Moreover, I would have to spend €100 in order to change the reader because my Sony MRW-E80 seems it can only read XQD, and that would be an extra expense. And if I don't want to carry around to reader (or throw away the XQD I already have) I have to buy not just a random reader but an expensive one like the one from Sony that's now €120.

I mean, it easily add up. €120 for the CFe + €120 for the reader are another €240. Plus, I would like to buy a V90 UHS-II since I am using both slot, so I am trying to maximise the performance for what I can, and another €100 down.

It would total something like €340, more then a third of what I paid all, that's a lot. So I am trying to save where I can. If for the time being I can find a used 120GB/128GB XQD for a good price (less than a new CFe) and save on the reader, that's something.

n057 wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

Just as an indication, on a 32 GB XQD card, from my last shoot I have 647 NEF, and the shots_counter indicates I still have room 3for 350. The camera is set to RAW only.

By experience that shots_counter underestimates the number of shots. I can probably reach over 1100.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

Well, that's some useful information.

I knew it would underestimate, but didn't thought by that much.

If 600 pictures would be 'borderline', 1000+ should be more than enough for almost every one day shoot I always did, that I can remember, minor a few exception.

Thanks for the information.

LtColDavenport wrote:

Brev00 wrote:

I have never used a tc so don't know. What I did when I had only my D610 was buy a D500. Get the 1.5 crop factor without much if any iq loss.

Well, my interest was to try TC on a DX body in order to get even more reach.

If with a 300mm 2.8 on the D7200 (or D500 if I will) + 1.4 TC, that's an equivalent of 630mm f4. If the IQ would still be good, even if I would need to stop it down to 5.6 or maybe even f8, it would be cool, at least to have that option.

I think you are running into a couple of problems give.  One, you immediately lose a stop of light when you add a tc.  Then, if you have to stop down to f 5.6 or f 8 you are losing a ton more light.  Might as well be using a 100-400 f 5.6 at that point.  Kind of negates the value of your 300mm 2.8.  You are going to get more noise as you raise the iso.  Second, to get a steady shot of still objects you normally could shoot at 1/300 (given the 1/fl rule).  With the tc, you would need to increase the shutter speed to 1/450.  Whatever you gain, you lose.  Might as well just shoot the D500 in 1.3 crop mode.

Unfortunately, I see little to no information about people using TC on APS-C Camera. Some post here and there but that's it.

Maybe because of the above.

Of course, I could be wrong. 

LtColDavenport wrote:

n057 wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

Just as an indication, on a 32 GB XQD card, from my last shoot I have 647 NEF, and the shots_counter indicates I still have room 3for 350. The camera is set to RAW only.

By experience that shots_counter underestimates the number of shots. I can probably reach over 1100.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

Well, that's some useful information.

I knew it would underestimate, but didn't thought by that much.

If 600 pictures would be 'borderline', 1000+ should be more than enough for almost every one day shoot I always did, that I can remember, minor a few exception.

Thanks for the information.

One of the great things about digital photography is that one can always find out for oneself.  Use the 32gb card and see what you get.  Put the 128gb sd card you have in the second slot in case you run out of room on the xqd card. See how things go. As a previous poster said, you may be able to shoot at xqd levels with that sd card in nearly all use cases.  So, your 128gb sd card will in all likelihood work just fine for you.  That combined with the xqd card should cover you for well more than one day of shooting.  I think you can save your money and stick with what you have.   Go out and enjoy the camera!

Brev00 wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

Brev00 wrote:

I have never used a tc so don't know. What I did when I had only my D610 was buy a D500. Get the 1.5 crop factor without much if any iq loss.

Well, my interest was to try TC on a DX body in order to get even more reach.

If with a 300mm 2.8 on the D7200 (or D500 if I will) + 1.4 TC, that's an equivalent of 630mm f4. If the IQ would still be good, even if I would need to stop it down to 5.6 or maybe even f8, it would be cool, at least to have that option.

I think you are running into a couple of problems give. One, you immediately lose a stop of light when you add a tc. Then, if you have to stop down to f 5.6 or f 8 you are losing a ton more light. Might as well be using a 100-400 f 5.6 at that point. Kind of negates the value of your 300mm 2.8. You are going to get more noise as you raise the iso. Second, to get a steady shot of still objects you normally could shoot at 1/300 (given the 1/fl rule). With the tc, you would need to increase the shutter speed to 1/450. Whatever you gain, you lose. Might as well just shoot the D500 in 1.3 crop mode.

Unfortunately, I see little to no information about people using TC on APS-C Camera. Some post here and there but that's it.

Maybe because of the above.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Got, thanks

Brev00 wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

n057 wrote:

LtColDavenport wrote:

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

Just as an indication, on a 32 GB XQD card, from my last shoot I have 647 NEF, and the shots_counter indicates I still have room 3for 350. The camera is set to RAW only.

By experience that shots_counter underestimates the number of shots. I can probably reach over 1100.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

Well, that's some useful information.

I knew it would underestimate, but didn't thought by that much.

If 600 pictures would be 'borderline', 1000+ should be more than enough for almost every one day shoot I always did, that I can remember, minor a few exception.

Thanks for the information.

One of the great things about digital photography is that one can always find out for oneself. Use the 32gb card and see what you get. Put the 128gb sd card you have in the second slot in case you run out of room on the xqd card. See how things go. As a previous poster said, you may be able to shoot at xqd levels with that sd card in nearly all use cases. So, your 128gb sd card will in all likelihood work just fine for you. That combined with the xqd card should cover you for well more than one day of shooting. I think you can save your money and stick with what you have. Go out and enjoy the camera!

I just shoot in Backup or RAW+JPG Mode, so no overflow, I want a copy.

Anyway, I just found yesterday what I think were good deals on MPB and bought a Sony XQD G 120GB + Angelbird SD V90 128GB + Shipping for €140 and bought it.

I will sell my Lexar XQD 32GB that around me it seems to have a price around €50-ish (crazy high, if you ask me). If I will net out at €100 if not less for a top of the line XQD and SD V90 I will be pretty happy honestly, I don't think it could get much better than this.

I used my D7200 with 2 128GB SD for 8 years and never felt the need to have more, so I think I will be pretty much set.

After this, I will seriously need to stop this shopping spree I am having ahah

LtColDavenport wrote:

I just shoot in Backup or RAW+JPG Mode, so no overflow, I want a copy.

Oh.  I mistakenly assumed you did as I do:  raw on one card, overflow on the other.

Anyway, I just found yesterday what I think were good deals on MPB and bought a Sony XQD G 120GB + Angelbird SD V90 128GB + Shipping for €140 and bought it.

I will sell my Lexar XQD 32GB that around me it seems to have a price around €50-ish (crazy high, if you ask me). If I will net out at €100 if not less for a top of the line XQD and SD V90 I will be pretty happy honestly, I don't think it could get much better than this.

I used my D7200 with 2 128GB SD for 8 years and never felt the need to have more, so I think I will be pretty much set.

After this, I will seriously need to stop this shopping spree I am having ahah

That might be hard to do.  I don't stop thinking about new purchases until I feel satisfied with what I have.  Otherwise, I am just restraining myself, dieting one could say.  And, dieting rarely works.  In fact, one is likely to binge the longer one suppresses a desire.  As long as you don't sell the farm or sacrifice your children's education, you will be all right.  Actually your kids will be okay, too.  A little hard work and independence never hurt anybody.  

LtColDavenport wrote:

Alright, I did it.

I think I found a great deal from a private seller and decided to pull the trigger.

• Both with box and all
• 1 XQD + Sony Reader
• 1 SD

For €1.100 + shipping and service fee. Let's say a total of €1.150.

That is an outstanding deal. The camera uses a USB cable that is more rugged and hard to find than those on most cameras. I think it is even better than the USB-C system used by the Z9.

So many sellers in the marketplace seem to be missing both the cable and the USB and HDMI cable clips. How many D500 owners got the cable clips with their used camera purchase? I found mine on ebay for $7.95. These two accessories are vital for tethered operation.

Isn’t the USB cable the same type that connects portable external hard drives to computers? I have several of those from various WD and Seagate portable HDs. They shouldn’t be too hard to find.

LtColDavenport wrote:

Brev00 wrote:

The d500 sensor is only 20.9 MB, so you will get a lot of images with a 32 GB XQD card. Unless you shoot video or do a lot of bursts, you might be okay with it. If you have a large SD card, you can put it in the other slot and store the overflow there. With an SD card, you will not be able to take full advantage of the D500's super fast shooting and uploading images to your computer would also be slower. Could be a minor inconvenience for you or reasons to get a larger XQD card. XQD cards are used in z cameras so they would help you future proof your kit.

The camera give me around 600 images, so I could take somewhere around 700+ I think.

Not bad, but no crazy numbers. And the fact you can shoot at 10FPS will not help.

With my D7200 I bought 2 128GB SD and never needed more. If I could find one of those 120GB Sony XQD used for cheap, it would be nice. One of that plus the 32GB I already own should be plenty for my needs.

I think there was some confusion up there with Mega Pixels and Megabytes. The D500 sensor is 20.9Mp. The file sizes can vary by content. A snow scene with a single small tree in should have much smaller file size than a pic of a leafy tree in the woods, with loads of other trees behind it, because of the amount of detail within the scene.

When I got the D500 I got the faster cards at the time, and they were a Lexar Professional 32GB 2933X XQD and a Lexar 32GB UHS-II SDHC card. I think they still are the fastest. I have other smaller and slower SD cards, but only the one XQD card. I think the SD cards get around 70 images before slowing down. 7 seconds is more than enough for me, so the 200 hot limit with the XQD has never been tested.

Looking in an average folder of pics, the largest file size for me was 25Mb, with most around 19-22Mb. If I just use the largest file size as a guide, I can get around 1280 pics on a 32GB card, and I don't think I have ever filled one of those cards in a day. 1280 is an underestimate, but more accurate than the Nikon onboard shots remaining.

If someone plans to take more than 1280+ images in one day, or take a lot of video, get a larger card, but I think, for me, 1.2k images is more than enough to trust to one card, and is the reason I have the multiple smaller SD cards, for when speed and a huge amount of images is not needed.

The time I take most images is when travelling, and generally speed is not needed, but capacity is, so I just fill the cards, back them up each night, and go through the cards one by one not deleting anything, so the cards become a back up to the laptop.

In time, if I see a cheap XQD card I may buy it, but I haven't been looking, as I haven't needed another one, yet. And I don't think I would be looking for much larger than 32GB.

I liked this camera so much that I purchased a second one with a battery grip, and a new EL-EN15c battery to replace the old EL-EN15 one. I also ordered the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G AF-P DX ED VR lens, and after realizing that it was cheaply packaged (no hood, no VR switch on lens), I then ordered the full frame 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 E AF-P ED VR. Is that commitment, or insanity?