When the back-up dies

So I finally broke down, and went to the local camera shop today to discuss Nikon DSLRs with the salesman. Nikon is running some specials right now, offering a free battery grip for the higher end cameras on top of the instant rebate. So that brings the price of a D500 body with the grip to $1800, a total savings of over $600.

I could get the D7200 body instead for just under $1000, but then would have to purchase the grip separately. And with that deal you only get the grip, none of the inside adapters are included like with the D500 grip. So now you're talking upwards of $1500 for the lesser of the two cameras. Sounds like a no-brainer to get the D500, except I just don't have the room in the budget for it.

Looks like I'll just have to wait, or go ahead and get a D300s.

PF
 
Ah, I found a low shutter count (around 17,250) D300s, so I also ordered an MB-D10 grip kit, and the DR-6 Right Angle Finder. The finder fits the D80, D300s, and D700 (if I ever get one of those).

I'll have to check on what Mark Beamer has in the classifieds.

PF
 
farlymac said:
Ah, I found a low shutter count (around 17,250) D300s, so I also ordered an MB-D10 grip kit, and the DR-6 Right Angle Finder. The finder fits the D80, D300s, and D700 (if I ever get one of those).

I'll have to check on what Mark Beamer has in the classifieds.

PF
Click to expand...

Wow, it's been three years since then. Love the D300s, and bought a second one so I could have one with the grip, and one without (though I did get another grip too, just couldn't bring myself to put it on the camera right away).

So after putting together a nice suite of DX lenses, it's been a good time using the two D300s'. But one of my favorite zooms (the 12-24mm 1:4G ED) went belly up when I was trying to take some comet photos, and I got to thinking about what my next step was.

I continue using rangefinders too, but unless I can get a sub-$1000 Leica I don't plan on going digital in that direction very soon. So I started considering going with an FX body.

I'm not enamored with buying used digital cameras, would prefer to get a new one so I don't have to deal with all the BS from sellers. The Nikon D610 kit that B&H is selling at the moment intrigued me, but I don't need the lens or Wireless module that comes with it. I've got plenty of D lenses to use, and the 24mp D610 will ratchet down to DX when one of those lenses is mounted. I was sort of committed to getting the B&H bundle as it is amazing that after all these years they are still selling brand new units (the camera was introduced in 2013) when I decided to see what was on the used market.

I saw some units for as low as around $450 but with high shutter counts and no extras. Other bodies were marked up higher than the $899 B&H kit. Then I found one that was sort of interesting.

The seller is obviously an estate sale picker with loads of nice high end items for sale. The camera he/she had was their only photographic item for sale. The story given in the description is they bought the camera back in April of this year, shot around 100 photos with it, and went with another camera, so the D610 was extra. You can tell they upgraded to a really nice camera from the product shots for their eBay site. Since the D610 is not offered with the lens I'm thinking they kept that and are using it on whatever they went with. So the price was commensurate with the kit minus the lens and maybe the wireless adapter (hard to tell if it was in the baggie of cables they showed).

So if they happen to ship it with all the papers too, maybe I'll get the warranty card also. Hard to say, but I've been pleasantly surprised by sellers before.

Whoo boy! Full frame, here we go!

PF
 
For a good but cheap used DX format Nikon, you might consider the D7100 as long as you don't need a big buffer when shooting--it stalls out pretty quick. But it's reliable and the sensor has no AA filter so images are considerably sharper than expected. It allows you to shoot in a reduced size mode like 4/3 format. Great for long lenses. I got mine for less than $400 from either B&H or MPB, can't remember which right now.

Prices for used D610s seem to have increased recently. I bought two used ones last year and I was surprised when I checked what they were selling for currently. I don't recall what I paid for those I bought but it couldn't have been a lot over $500 each. Today they're all well over $600. But the D610 is a sweet little camera. More plastic than the more pro type D8XX but that makes them lighter to carry.
 
Have you tried these simpee things:

Take battery out. Put in after a little time.

Do you format each card in camera before using?

Just a thought, tryin’ to help.
 
Dogman said:
For a good but cheap used DX format Nikon, you might consider the D7100 as long as you don't need a big buffer when shooting--it stalls out pretty quick. But it's reliable and the sensor has no AA filter so images are considerably sharper than expected. It allows you to shoot in a reduced size mode like 4/3 format. Great for long lenses. I got mine for less than $400 from either B&H or MPB, can't remember which right now.

Prices for used D610s seem to have increased recently. I bought two used ones last year and I was surprised when I checked what they were selling for currently. I don't recall what I paid for those I bought but it couldn't have been a lot over $500 each. Today they're all well over $600. But the D610 is a sweet little camera. More plastic than the more pro type D8XX but that makes them lighter to carry.
Click to expand...

Already bought the D610, so it will be awhile before I think of another purchase. Plus I was looking to get into the FX line anyway. Later on I'll determine whether to continue with DSLRs or go mirrorless. With this camera I can still operate my screw drive lenses.

PF
 
Bill Clark said:
Have you tried these simpee things:

Take battery out. Put in after a little time.

Do you format each card in camera before using?

Just a thought, tryin’ to help.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Bill, but the 99 code that the camera displays indicates a hardware fault in either the AF system, or in the main control boards.

PF
 
When I am out shooting with my 4x5, I usually carry a Canon G15 digital not only to document my photographic setup but to take test shots of my subject using the G15 4x5 image aspect ratio.

If my G15 stops working, I use my cell phone as a backup.
 
Picked up the D610 at the Post Office this morning. I was pleasantly surprised to find all the original boxes, instructions, and warranty cards with it. If I recall the seller said he never registered it. Shutter count was 86.

Charged up the battery, mounted one of my DX lenses, put a new 64GB SDXC card in the first slot, and started going through the manual to get the set-up similar to my two D300s'.

Big difference is there is now a Mode dial where the WB, ISO, and QUAL buttons were on the D300s, having been moved to three of the left side row of buttons next to the LED screen. And no back-button focusing as they moved the AF-ON to the front (just as I got used to it). The body is slightly smaller than the D300s,and probably lighter (haven't weighed it yet).

I think I could come around to liking it.

PF
 
You can use AFL/AEL as your AF On button by assigning it in the menu. You can also re-assign the AFL/AEL to something else.

After you use it for awhile and find what you use the most, set up My Menu. You're good to go. You got a good 'un.
 
Dogman said:
You can use AFL/AEL as your AF On button by assigning it in the menu. You can also re-assign the AFL/AEL to something else.

After you use it for awhile and find what you use the most, set up My Menu. You're good to go. You got a good 'un.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm not a big fan of reassigning buttons as I would tend to forget what I did. If it was a camera I would be using every day it might make sense as I'd then be able to reinforce my memory more often. And it's not like I used the back button feature very often, so it's not something I'm going to miss.

PF
 
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