Buying Second Hand Camera Bodies

[Xander314]

I currently have a Nikon D100 and I would really like a new body, though I don't have much money to throw around.

I've come across a good deal on a second hand, but fairly high end, model. However, apparently this particular unit has two problems:
- difficulty connecting to the computer via USB for transfer and remote control
- difficulty recognising older (non AF-G?) lenses

I'm not overly concerned by the first item on this list. As for the second, this may well mean I wouldn't be able to use Nikon's AF-D 50mm f/1.8 which I've been considering buying. Does it make more sense to get a body in better working order so I can save on lenses, or would I be better off saving for the f/1.8G anyway?

Also, do these problems perhaps suggest that the camera isn't in great shape and might not last that long anyway.

PS: It says it's had about 35000 shutter actuations. Is that considered a lot?

[Mark von Kanel]

Alex, which model and how much? personally i wouldnt touch it with a barge pole.......but at least the seller is being honest i suppose.... do you know them? could they only be telling half the truth?

[Xander314]

It's a D300. It's being bidded on, as yet under £100 I think. That's probably too good to be true for such a camera.

It says returns accepted, so if it's immediately obvious that it's more defective than stated, it could be returned. Don't know the seller, but he/she is at least

[Mark von Kanel]

The expected shutter actions is 150,000 so it not had a lot of use, im sure the price will rise tho as the auction carries on you can pick them up from about £600 in good working order, whats the sellers feedback like? are they uk based?

[Xander314]

Yes, the price probably will go up, although it is rising a lot more slowly than the prices of worse models in better conditions.

The dispatch address is in the UK. The seller reputation is 100% good, but that's based on only 3 sales.

[Mark von Kanel]

Might be worth a punt as long as the price doesnt go up to high maybe 300 any more than that and id buy a used one thats fully functional, but at the end of the day its up to you, good luck

[Xander314]

Thanks for your help! Didn't get it in the end - price went higher than I wanted to pay for a defective camera. Guess I'll have to stick with the D100 for now...