What do you think a 1 year old D2X is worth?

AngelMorales · #1 09-23-2006, 11:01 PM

Hey,
Frend of mine is probably going to go Canon 1DsMKII, and might be selling his D2X to me. It is approximately 1 year old and in nice condition. Along with some lenses. What do you think that it might be worth with Actuations taken into account and other wear on the camera? Also, used 70-200 VR. What do you think that might be worth after a couple of years useage?
-Angel

Ron_Hiner · #2 09-24-2006, 12:41 PM

One approach would be to plug the details of the equipment into a web site that buys used gear -- such as KEH.com.... or any of countless others. The number they come back with is what they are willing to pay -- considering market conditions and their inventory levels. I'd add 20% to that or so for what I would be willing to pay a friend. KEH is buying wholesale, and they will add margin to sell it. I don't know if 20% is a fair number, but I think its a good starting point for pricing equipment deals between friends.

Another way is this... say a pro digital camera looses 50% of its value per year (or pick a number of your own). I don't know what the D2X sells for new... if it is even still avaialbe... but let's say $4000. A one-year old used model is worth about $2000.

Lenses lose their value a lot more slowly. I'd say maybe 15% per year -- unless they get dissed by something significantly better as what happed with the 24-120 lens -- its a nice lens, but who wouldn't rather have the 18-200? As far as your 70-200 lens is concerned... I think there is nothing better than the 70-200 in its class. I'd pay full retail all over again for this if I lost the one I have.

As far as I know, Nikon warrantees won't transfer to the second owner. So it looses the first hunk of value the moment the first owner carries it out the store.

As for shutter actuations... I know my cars start to get more expensive to own at about 60-70,000 miles, so I tend to sell them at that point. Cameras, however, I have no idea how many actuations they are good for. My D2x has maybe 20,000 on it, and I think it still rock solid. I'd think it would still be good at 100,000 as it is today. Certainly one with 100,000 clicks has less than half the value of mine at 20,000. I've had some days when it takes 1,000 shots to get the job done (sports), and other days when I'm done in 5 shots. Don't buy used from a guy that shoots 1,000 shots every day.

Sorry I'm not telling you exactly how much this stuff is worth... but hopefully this will help you find the answer that you are happy with.

DonLashier · #3 09-24-2006, 03:41 PM

Checking sold items on ebay should at least give you a range.

- DL

DouglasUrner · #4 09-27-2006, 01:45 AM

Check the stuff that has sold here too. My guess is that a lot of the stuff that changes hands on e-bay is selling to hobbyists -- and I would guess that their standards are somewhat lower. No offense, but they don't need the gear working to make a living, so I think you might find that prices there are higher than the condition of the equipment might justify (still, it is what your friend could get for it there . . .). All in all e-bay prices can be just bizarre. Many times I've seen used Pocket Wizards go for more on e-bay than they would cost new at B&H.

It might be worth your trouble to call Nikon and ask what they recommend for service on a D2X and what it costs. Also ask what the shutter's expected lifespan is. Do check the number of shutter actuations. Keep in mind that the warranty on that camera was only one year.

Doug

Ron_Hiner · #5 09-27-2006, 09:32 AM

Doug... I almost never disagree with you... I find myself always want to post 'me too' after every single one of your posts! I'm sure you are right that ebay primarily facilitates deals between hobbiests, but I wouldn't use them for assesing values.

I bid on a elinchrom ranger pack&head a while back, and shortly before bidding ended, someone else came along and outbid me by a few dollars -- which of course ratcheted up my autobid to the maximum. Within an hour I got a message from the seller telling me the the guy who won the auction flaked out, and he'd sell it to me privately for my auto-bid max. Not only did he set a false data point in ebay on how much this piece of gear was supposedly worth, he then tried to (at least) scam ebay out of their take of the transaction.

Years ago, I had great luck on ebay and bought stuff there frequently... but its become a cesspool of fraud in my humble opinion. But now, I'd much rather buy from a reputable dealer -- new or used.

(A month later, the same seller re-listed the same elinchrom pack&head. I didn't bid this time. )

Ron

DragonflyDM · #6 09-27-2006, 11:04 AM

I totally agree about flee-bay, which is why I don't use them anymore.

The site is institutionalized nowadays and "professional" ebayers, companies that establish ebay accounts to sell gear as "deals," and just general scammers who now have found ways to "work" the system just sicken me.

The guage of what KEH is selling used gear is a good one. I normally try to shop till I can get 75% or lower for used gear. I have seen the D2X sell as low as $2600 for a perfect condition body and usually sit between the $2900-3100 range for LNIB cameras.

PhilipKach · #7 09-27-2006, 11:33 AM

My rule of thumb for selling to or buying from an individual is the following.

Check the wholesale price (ie. what KEH or someone else will give you for the item.)

Check the retail price (ie. the price KEH or someone else sells the used item in like condition.)

The fair price is to split the difference.

If the wholesale price is $500 and the retail (used) price is $1,000, the fair price from a trusted individual is $750. If it is $500 and $800, then $650 is the fair price. Etc.

I find this works with photography equipment, autos, etc.

I do not use ebay prices for comparision. When I last looked two years ago, slightly used Canon 24-70mm f/2,8 lenses were selling for more than the gray market B&H price for new! They were only a few dollars less than US MAP price. Who knows if they were US or Gray market lenses.

Beware of E-bay.

Philip

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