Think I've been conned....

[kerniki]

bought a D200 on fleabay, it said there were only 5000 actuations but on receiving the camera it looks like the body has had far more useage, print on buttons worn away a generally looks tired exif info says 5000 odd but I'm not so sure, is there some way the numbers could have been tampered with?

thx for any help

 

[incapete]

I've not heard of a way to reset the shutter count but Nikon's website do say

"There is no way to accurately tell the total number of
times your camera shutter has released. While there are
third party software applications designed to read a cameras
shutter count, this number is not always accurate because
the shutter release times may be reset by firmware updates,
or reset in the Service department if certain parts are
replaced or other operations are performed."

Have you checked it yourself or did the seller tell you? If they've had it back to Nikon for replacement parts then it's possible the count may have been reset but it's fairly unlikely - maybe the previous owner carried the camera everywhere but didn't take many shots?

 

[treeman]

the shutter release times may be reset by firmware updates

That is what I've always understood to be the case. I think the cosmetic state will be more indicative of its use. I think the D200 has had at least two firmware updates.

Hope you didn't pay too much for it.

 

[Arkady]

Does it work?
My D3 bodies that I took over last week have about 4000 frames on each and both look like they've been in a tumble-dryer full of rocks - as long as it works and the seller didn't misrepresent the cosmetic condition - i.e. saying 'Mint' or 'As New' when he should have said 'Used' or 'Worn/Scuffed' etc. then I'd suck it up and go take some photos...enjoy!

 

[pearce_jj]

how high does the counter go... maybe it's gone round the clock!

 

[Flash In The Pan]

If you could post a pic taken with the camera someone ill be able to tell you how many shots it's taken, or if you have Flickr the shutter count will be displayed in the image properties...

 

[nomorem6]

Does it work?
My D3 bodies that I took over last week have about 4000 frames on each and both look like they've been in a tumble-dryer full of rocks - as long as it works and the seller didn't misrepresent the cosmetic condition - i.e. saying 'Mint' or 'As New' when he should have said 'Used' or 'Worn/Scuffed' etc. then I'd suck it up and go take some photos...enjoy!

If it works just enjoy it. Its not the paint that takes the pic's.

Ebay.... you pay your money, you take your chances.

 

[treeman]

If it works just enjoy it. Its not the paint that takes the pic's.

Oh, c'mon, we all know shiny new cameras take far better pics than old dirty ones

 

[clicktor]

It sounds like you can't really do much about it anyway, so maybe just forget about it and wait for it to break. (probably never in your ownership of it)