What are the best current used digital camera deals from the past?

[jsrockit]

Let's call the past ...prior to 2012. Which digital cameras are currently a steal on the used market for what they can still offer?

I'll throw 2 out there to start... the original Canon 5D and the original Fujifilm X100. Both are less than $300.

 

[Dan]

Nikon's D700

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Fujifilm S5 Pro. I don’t see anything else matching the specs of this camera for dynamic range and color fidelity for such little money. World’s best dead end sensor technology.

 

[bayernfan]

original ricoh gr digital series (pre aps-c). particularly the grd1.

 

[RObert Budding]

Nikon D700

 

[Skiff]

Nikon D700, D3, D3x and D3s.
Deliver more than enough in 99,5% of all shooting situations. Instead of buying a new camera, you can use the saved money for excellent lenses. Or nice travels and making photographs.

For film:
Nikon F100, F4 and F5 are currently completely underrated and extremely cheap.
Same is valid for Canon EOS 1N and 1V, EOS 3 and 30V / 33V.
Minolta Dynax 7 and 9.
Leica R4, R5, R7.
And Mamiya 645 Pro(TL).

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I sold 5D then 5D MK II, but keeping and using 500D. It is at the computer desk and ready. My wife is using it at P mode now, but I'm keeping * for focus enabled.
In 2009 it was 1K$ for open box deal, it is something like 100$ now. It is ISO 12800, better than 5D ISO 3200 camera.

 

[shawn]

Ditto to x100, D700 and S5Pro. Would also add the Panasonic GF1. I've seen them for about $50-$60. That paired with the 14 or 20mm made a great little camera.

Anyone considering the x100 make sure you get it from a place with a return policy. It took 3 tries before I got one without the sticky aperture blade problem. To test for that set it to f5.6 or f8 and take 10 or 20 of the exact same shot in single drive mode. If exposure varies between the series (some over exposed) it has the SAB problem.

Shawn

 

[jsrockit]

The D700 is still pretty expensive though... compared to something like the 5D.

 

[johannielscom]

The Ricoh GXR, read here on how it can be a budget alternative for a Leica Monochrom

 

[Larry Cloetta]

The D700 is still pretty expensive though... .

Yep........

 

[benlees]

Not sure when the X Pro 1 came out, but those are quite inexpensive these days.

 

[RObert Budding]

The D700 is still pretty expensive though... compared to something like the 5D.

Yes, because it's still a great camera. I sold mine for a D750 because I needed better low light performance and AF. I often wish that Nikon had stayed with the layout of the D700 . . .

 

[Phil_F_NM]

D2Xs. D2Hs if you can find one.
Phil Forrest

 

[xayraa33]

I always liked the images from the old Olympus E 1 camera.

It is now a hopelessly out dated 5mp camera but its 4/3 CCD sensor made pleasant looking image that look unique with the passage of time.

 

[jsrockit]

Not sure when the X Pro 1 came out, but those are quite inexpensive these days.

Yep, any old Fuji... X-E1, X-E2, X-T10, X-Pro1, etc... all great deals.

 

[Fjäll]

The Sigma Merrill cameras

 

[JP Owens]

The Fuji Xe2 is still a good camera. The Canon 5D classic produces wonderful images, but lacks micro adjustment for lenses. Deal breaker for me, sadly. I also like the Canon 50D. Fast and responsive. And I owned an Olympus E-10 when it first came out. That sensor produced great color images within its limited ISO range.

 

[Tim Murphy]

It depends on your subject

It depends on your subject

Dear jsrockit,

Like I said it really does depend on what you shoot.

I shoot birds and wildlife almost exclusively.

I own a Canon 1DMK2, a Canon 1DMK3, a Canon EOS 40D, a Canon T2i, and a Nikon D300. I don't have $ 1500 wrapped up in all of them combined and I'll never wear any of them out. They may fail and break, but they are far from being worn out and hammered.

To me at least, this thread is somewhat like Bill Pierce's thread from a couple of days ago? There is no doubt in my mind that there are many cameras available that far exceed the capability of my cameras. But I don't come close to exceeding the capability of my cameras so I'm all good.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[willie_901]

The D300 is about $300 now (KEH). The D300 sensor is more than adequate and the AF is essentially identical to the D700.

If you can stand the Nikon DX AF lenses (I can't), third-party alternatives or cope with focusing AIS lenses (I can't since Nikon hates people who prefer manual focus), the D300 is $200 to $300 less than a D700.

I owned the X100 and X-Pro 1 but I can't recommend them because their CPUs and firmware are a bit sluggish. The X100S is about $500 while the X-Pro 1 is less than $400 (no lens though). The XE-2 is $350 and faster. Alas, it does not have an OVF.