Help with pricing

[Kelsey7691]

I'm currently looking to upgrade from my bridge to a D-SLR. I've been looking at a few used camera sites, a couple of shops and eBay.

My main issue is I'm not exactly sure on how much I should be paying for a used camera, and I don't want to be paying too much.

A lot on eBay seem to go for near what they cost new, which makes me think I might just be better off buying brand new, rather than paying slightly less for something that's a year or two old.

I'm really wanting a Nikon D5000 but have been looking into Nikon D3100 and D60s. I've also been looking into Canons but not too sure about these.

Could someone please tell me what I should be paying for these second hand and if possible any sites/shops that sell second hand or new at a reasonable price.

Thanks

Kelsey

 

[zak5ive]

Hiya Kelsey

It might be worth looking at the classifieds on this forum, also some of the sites recommended in that section, like MPB, etc which have great deals in second hand cameras but also include a guarantee. For new prices check out camerapricebuster

Hope this helps, by the way for reviews of these cameras try dpreview.com.

Garry

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I'd suggest taking a look at MPB Photographic (you'll find links around TP to them) their prices tend to be around the same level as those on eBay, but you get a warranty from them

 

[RKC]

Could someone please tell me what I should be paying for these second hand

Welcome to TP, second hand prices are really your decision, check out new price and decide what is you are willing to pay, me personally would not bother unless it was a substantial difference, third to half is a saving I would expect, have looked recently on ebay for something and to be honest what people are paying is as you have discovered nigh on the same as new so I gave up on ebay

 

[Deadhead]

In fact if you look at some of the people who do grey imports their prices are often pretty similar to sh on eBay. You need to be careful of course but there are a number of grey dealers who get high marks on here.

 

[Kelsey7691]

Thank you everyone for your help I'll check out the places you've suggested. Also, what are 'grey dealers'?

I've found a reasonable priced Canon 450D that I'm currently considering. Does anyone rate them as a first time D-SLR?

 

[Bambi72]

AFAIK Grey dealers sell imports, mainly from the Far East. You do get things a lot cheaper but if things go wrong you have no local warranty and have to send things back to Hong Kong or China.
A friend of mine has bought a couple of very nice Canon L series lenses from one of these dealers with no problems what so ever. I'm not sure where you would stand if customs decide to check your parcel, you would probably get stung with a VAT bill plus their customs charges.
As far as second hand dealers go Mifsuds have a good reputation.

 

[gblades]

The better grey dealers prepay the customs charges so you will never get stung.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

The better grey dealers prepay the customs charges so you will never get stung.

And then you receive it and it's declared as a "Gift" on the customs form

 

[Deadhead]

Some of these dealers advertise that the stuff is already in the UK. Yes in some cases you might have to send the camera back to Hong Kong if it went wrong. That's still better than the warranty on eBay though. Dunno about the classifieds on here, I haven't got enough posts to let me look at them yet.

 

[Porsupah]

I'd echo the recommendations to check around dealers for used equipment - folks like MPB, fFordes, Greys of Westminster, and SRS Microsystems, to name but a few. I was in a similar position, when looking for my entry into the wild world of DSLRs - I was all but set to pick up a D5000, and asked the Jessops (forgive me = staff member if they matched prices on the net, where a physical store was involved. He suggested checking used dealers, leading me to discover a D90, with under 3K actuations, for very little more than said D5000.. not the most difficult decision I've ever had to make!