nikon d2x

[spiritedwildfire]

Saw this camera for sale at a decent price locally (930 w/ 2 lenses). I'm looking to purchase a professional digital camera. I have three film cameras, and need a pro digital. I shoot a lot of architecture, interiors, travel, fashion, and art images. Do you think this camera would be a good fit for me? At this price? My budget at the moment doesn't exceed $1000, so I know that my options are limited. I am willing to wait, and save a little to get a better camera, but I'm sick of being held back by my Canon S3, even though its a decent little camera. Thanks, any input would be much appreciated!

[Politik]

Ok, First and foremost i want to say the D2X is an amazing camera. In which case i wonder why it is that cheap. I mean, they are still going for 2 grand on ebay so i would be weary of the condition of this camera.

2nd it will be a huge learning curve. The more you pay for an SLR the less it will do automatically for you. Now, you said you have 3 film bodies so i assume you know what you are doing so this may or may not be an issue. Just thought i would throw it out there.

Do you know what lenses it is coming with? I could not see anybody selling a good condition D2X for anything under 1600 even with the release of the D300 and the D3. The D2X is still rated to be more of a pro body than the D300 (i think?) so its price should not have been affected that much.

Just for comparison i just paid $800 for a D200... The D2X is a "much better body and the pro line" only going for 130 more.... and mine was just the body.

Be Smart about the decision and make sure you have a good look.

[spiritedwildfire]

The guy is local so I will definitely have a good look. No, I am not an expert by any means, and am still learning. I'm okay with a steep learning curve, as I'm not doing this professionally yet.

This is what he says about the camera... I'm not sure about the lenses, because I'm not an expert by any means, and cant recognize what they are from the pic

"It is perfect condition.No scratches.I bought the camera 3 months ago new.It is still under warranty."

I may see if he'll agree to me having it looked at by a local camera shop before I buy...

Thanks for all of your advice.

[spiritedwildfire]

Also, do you know if Nikon film lenses can be used with digital cameras?
I inherited an old Nikon, and several lenses from my uncle who passed away, and have yet to have them cleaned or use them, so I dont know what all is in there..

[Politik]

thats odd.. Maybe you stumbled upon somebody who doesnt know/care about the worth of there equipment lol.

Just checked ebay a second ago to verify my above information and as i thought, cheapest i found was 1600.. (on the first page lol, too lazy to continue search)

Definitely have a look and see if he has the shutter count. Can you post the pic or a cutout of the lenses?

yeah, depending if they are AF or AF-I will determine if they will autofocus or not... They will atleast fit though

[Edited on 3/5/2008 by Politik]

[spiritedwildfire]

Great question, I'll ask.
I can post a pic of the lenses tomorrow or the next day.
I'm not at home right now, so I dont have them handy.

I bought a Pentax K-1000 a few weeks ago from someone in my area with lens, case, original manual, strap, lens cap, 2 rolls of film, and the remote shutter release thingy (don't know the technical term) for $60! It's in great condition. I had been looking for one for awhile, because I used it in high school, and its filled with nostalgia for me.

Which makes me hopeful towards this camera, but still wary because I googled the price too, and was a bit shocked at the difference (but excited if its for real).

[dogtrombone]

Pentax K1000! I started on one of those... really enjoyed it.

About the d2x... "perfect condition, no scratches, 3 months old" are all relatively meaningless terms. As politik says, the shutter count can be worth checking, but in my experience, the most critical element of a digital camera is the chip. It may only be 3 months old, but it may have been scratched, or may have been faulty (dead pixels, etc) in some way. That is the single most expensive element to repair/replace, and for some reason it may not qualify for a warranty claim.

At that price, I would definitely insist that you could get it checked out by a QUALIFIED Nikon technician. If it's OK, it's a steal.

[spiritedwildfire]

I'm thinking it's a scam.. this is the response that I got.

"I still have the camera and the price is $930.
My name is Robert Stevensen and I am a professionist photograph but for this reason I'v had to move in London, United Kingdom.
At this new company where I work now they have gived me a new camera and now I have to sell this one because I don't need it anymore.
All original accessories, software and manuals...nothing missing. USA warranty card. USED 5 TIMES IN HOME PHOTO STUDIO.
I've only taken about 1200 photos with it. It really is in brand new condition. Not a mark on it.
We can close a deal asap.
Thanks"

Too many typos, and he wants to close the deal too fast if you ask me. I thought he was local, but now am not sure. Also, didn't answer my question about taking it to a local tech or store to check out the condition. I'm thinking there's something wrong with it, and the guy's lying.. we'll see though..

[spiritedwildfire]

This was my next reply that I received:

"Obviously we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make
sure we receive what we are after.
I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in
this way you will receive the camera in less than 2 days, if you move fast as
well. The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar
to Fedex, DHL or UPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the
camera.
I have found a procedure that will allow you to pay for the camera only after
you will receive it and through this way you will see it and test it
before I receive my payment.
Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can
complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the
company where the procedure is explained:

http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/about/ournews/euexpansion.html

Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the camera
right away.
I will explain to you step by step how this will work .
1) First you will have to send me your full name and address. I will
need them for the shipping.
2) I go to the TNT store and leave the camera onto your name as the
intended receiver.
3) TNT will check the camera to see if everything is OK with it and
also the legal papers that will come along with the pai .
4) TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know they
have the camera,in which you will be told that they have the camera and
that they checked it.
5) At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Agent
Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount we agreed .
6) After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about
the money deposit to TNT (MTCN, sender's name and address)
7) TNT will verify the payment informations and if everything is in
order they will deliver the camera to you .
8) After you receive the camera, check it and see that all is in
order you will instruct TNT to send me the informations about the money
deposit and I will be able to receive the funds .
I will pay TNT for the shipping and you will pay Western Union for
the Money Transfer fee .
Let me know if we can do this.

Best regards"

[dogtrombone]

Er, if you believe this, then I've got a bridge to sell you. Good condition never been used. Just send me all your details, and I promise I won't steal your identity and rob you blind. Honest!

[Edited on 3/6/2008 by dogtrombone]

[spiritedwildfire]

LOL, no i didnt believe it... Stopping communication! :)

[spiritedwildfire]

I only would have bought it if I could have had it checked out here at a camera shop. I don't believe in the whole wiring, delivery thing.

[Politik]

lol, yeah stay clear!


Check out a D80 or perhaps a D200.. Im sure you can find a great camera around that price range

[spiritedwildfire]

okay, i'll look into those to.
I have the N80, so I'm assuming the D80 is the digital version?
I'm pretty non technical. I'm very artistic, but am learning the "how" of technology at the moment.

I want a camera that will allow me to take very clear pictures, that can be easily enlarged to poster size with minimal distortion.

Really appreciate all the feedback! You guys will keep me coming back to this forum. :)

[mkeefe]

I am glad to hear you got aware and asked for help, that sounds like a scam if I ever read one. Surprised he didn't ask the buyer to meet him in a dimly lit alley where the "general public" won't be :)

I have the Canon 30D, a bit more expensive, but I swear by it (and sometimes at it when it makes me mad).

Also, the D80 is a beautiful camera, I shot with that at my local camera shop, but in the end I have a sweet spot for Canon.

Matt

[spiritedwildfire]

I have the Canon S3 right now, and am happy with it for what it is. but not for what I want to do.

I have always firmly believed that Canon delivers better color quality then Nikon. I can see a difference in my photos when I've been photographed with a Nikon vs. a Canon. They seem to capture the light differently. (Used to model, and worked a lot with the same photographer, he borrowed someone else's Nikon one day, and the pics were terrible compared with his Canon).

[mkeefe]

That and I find Nikons support and peripheral costs to be much higher.. but shoot with whatever works. Hell, I recently used a Sony Alpha and was pleasantly surprised, coming from an F717.

Matt

[dogtrombone]

So you don't want to buy my bridge either?!

[spiritedwildfire]

Nope, dont need ur bridge or ocean front property. :P
Lol, I like ur chicken avatar.

[dogtrombone]

Originally posted by spiritedwildfire
Nope, dont need ur bridge or ocean front property. :P
Lol, I like ur chicken avatar.


Well, that's pretty new, only had one owner, and is good for another 9000 posts at least. Call me and we'll work out a price... just send me your name, address, ID number and any bank account numbers on the back of a signed, blank cheque.

[spiritedwildfire]

:P Haha, its not as if I actually fell for the scam ya know...

[spiritedwildfire]

dogtrombone you've got some really cool work on ur site.. just stopped in for a quick glance.

[dogtrombone]

Thanks.

[mkeefe]

@spiritedwildfire, Dog is joking 100%, in case that was lost.. he is a big kidder and an amazing designer.

[spiritedwildfire]

I realized that he was joking. :)
Was trying to joke back a bit, but my humor doesnt seem to translate in type. lol
Loved his stuff on his site, one day I'll spend more time perusing it.

[dogtrombone]

Joking?! I wasn't joking!

[Politik]

Gah, i sense your sarcasm trombone... i guess our gig is up, you ruined us!

[dogtrombone]

:lol