purchasing a nikon d700 with a high shutter count

johnveazey

New member
so basically I own a nikon d7000, I've done a few weddings nothing major but I've been looking for a full frame to jump into. I found an opportunity on craigslist for a nikon d700 with 3 batteries, 2 CF cards (8gb) and the guy still has the original box and manual.

The shutter count is 147,231 and he wants $350 for it.

I wanted to go ahead and maybe buy a nikon d610 but that's sort of a jump for me if i'm not making serious money with my photography. Ignore the d610 comment and just tell me if you guys think its a decent deal for the camera and how much longer that thing could last for me? any suggestions would be awesome.
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
so basically I own a nikon d7000, I've done a few weddings nothing major but I've been looking for a full frame to jump into. I found an opportunity on craigslist for a nikon d700 with 3 batteries, 2 CF cards (8gb) and the guy still has the original box and manual.

The shutter count is 147,231 and he wants $350 for it.

I wanted to go ahead and maybe buy a nikon d610 but that's sort of a jump for me if i'm not making serious money with my photography. Ignore the d610 comment and just tell me if you guys think its a decent deal for the camera and how much longer that thing could last for me? any suggestions would be awesome.
Nikon says the D700 shutter is tested to 150,000 cycles. So... Do the math.

A shutter replacement, done by a Nikon repair facility, will set you back about $250 or so.

Hope that helps you with your decision making.
....
 

PapaST

Senior Member
I think the price matches the shutter count (low price for high shutter count, basically).

Having a new shutter installed would make me feel better personally if I were going to use it for makin' the bacon.
 

STM

Senior Member
Honestly, I think shutter count is really overrated and overemphasized. Don't spend too much time worrying about it. I will be willing to bet the shutter count on both of my Nikon F2's exceeds 350,000 each and both are still going strong after 40 years.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
At $350 for that shutter count, the camera is priced right. Average completed sales on ebay for that camera is $650-$900 for what would be considered a low shutter count...
 

10 Gauge

Senior Member
I don't see how you could go wrong. Ratings aren't set in stone. Who knows, maybe you'll get 100k or more actuation's out of it before actually fails. If it does fail soon, it's not like you overpaid for it even after getting the shutter replaced. My opinion is GO FOR IT!
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
150k is an estimate of the design "shutter life". It could quit after the next shot, or it could go until you quit! If he's asking $350 for it, I'd offer him less and see how he is willing to bargain.

WM
 
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singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
Cheap price of admission to play in full frame world. Hope you have some FX glass, cause it ain't cheap. Wedding photogs usually cart around (at minimum) a 24-70, 70-200, and a macro. That's about $5K if you buy Nikon.
 

johnveazey

New member
thank you everyone for the suggestions!
I have a buddy who said its a cheap way to hop into full frame considering his canon 5d mark II has a shutter count of 302,371 or something. the shutter replace would be roughly $150-$300 from what the nikon rep said so I'm gonna meet the guy and try to drop him down to $300 and buy it. hopefully it runs for at least another 50k haha
 

johnveazey

New member
Cheap price of admission to play in full frame world. Hope you have some FX glass, cause it ain't cheap. Wedding photogs usually cart around (at minimum) a 24-70, 70-200, and a macro. That's about $5K if you buy Nikon.

I have a 50m f1.4, 28m f2.8, 35-70m f2.8, 18-200m f3.5, 18-105 f3.5
basically all of the range covered with 2 yongnuo flash I've been managing pretty well for the small weddings I've been doing :)
 

Bill16

Senior Member
Though I'm late here, I recommend buying it too! The price makes it work it! :D

As long as it is in good shape otherwise!!
 

johnveazey

New member
Though I'm late here, I recommend buying it too! The price makes it work it! :D

As long as it is in good shape otherwise!!

hey so I just saw the camera today, it looks kind of rough but everything seems to work, the paint is chipping on the body... would you still recommend the camera?
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
My take is be patient. I was and found my D700 on C/L locally with less than 250 clicks - yes 250.

It's positively brilliant.....

You're DX glass won't make you smile tho....add an Nikkor AF 80-200 F2.8 2 ring to your kit and you'll be all set.

Offer him $250 and walk if he says no.....
 

Bill16

Senior Member
No, I would look for one in better condition! With that much wear on it, other issues might appear due to it's hard use!
Mine is in great condition, and I would recommend finding yours in great condition to regardless of actuation count! But ideally I would go for low actuation and in great shape!

I love my D700, and buying one in great condition is very much worth doing! I just can't recommend one that has been used so hard as to leave it in poor condition! Not with other D700 Nikon's available out there in great shape at reasonable prices!:)

hey so I just saw the camera today, it looks kind of rough but everything seems to work, the paint is chipping on the body... would you still recommend the camera?
 

carguy

Senior Member
At $350 for that shutter count, the camera is priced right. Average completed sales on ebay for that camera is $650-$900 for what would be considered a low shutter count...
I agree. The other thing I'd be looking at with a high shutter count is the condition of the body (button wear/ not being able to read them or if it was operated by a smoker).

Either way, for $350 I would have a very hard time passing that deal up :)
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Thing is that even if it still looks OK and seems to function OK, you might want to make a few test shots, making sure of the shutter accuracy. It still could work but not be reliable. But if you can get it for under 300$, knowing you'll eventually spend money on a shutter, then it still is a D700, one of the most sold and praised Nikon Dslr.
 

johnveazey

New member
I agree. The other thing I'd be looking at with a high shutter count is the condition of the body (button wear/ not being able to read them or if it was operated by a smoker).

Either way, for $350 I would have a very hard time passing that deal up :)

Thing is that even if it still looks OK and seems to function OK, you might want to make a few test shots, making sure of the shutter accuracy. It still could work but not be reliable. But if you can get it for under 300$, knowing you'll eventually spend money on a shutter, then it still is a D700, one of the most sold and praised Nikon Dslr.

The rubber grips are litterally flapping on the sides, the cable door where all the plugins go doesn't close properly and the pop up flash needs to be opened manual with your hand. I don't think its worth even $150 honestly gonna just look for something better. maybe get lucky on ebay or something, it's a shame really I took a bunch of test shots and the pictures look awesome... just the exterior is crap.

My take is be patient. I was and found my D700 on C/L locally with less than 250 clicks - yes 250.

It's positively brilliant.....

You're DX glass won't make you smile tho....add an Nikkor AF 80-200 F2.8 2 ring to your kit and you'll be all set.

Offer him $250 and walk if he says no.....

My 35-70 f2.8 is fx lens is it not? its the predecessor to the 24-70mm 2.8????
im looking at a 70-200 f2.8 right now anyway, just need the full frame body to go with it.
 
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Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
My 35-70 f2.8 is fx lens is it not? its the predecessor to the 24-70mm 2.8????
im looking at a 70-200 f2.8 right now anyway, just need the full frame body to go with it.

The 35-70 works wonderfully with the D700. This is what I got when I first got my D700. I still have it but use it less often now that I got the 24-70. But the 35-70 is sharp except for the flare issue when using backlight at 2.8.
 
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