Tips for buying a used dslr?
I Recently found an add for a 3 year old Nikon D40 for $250, I called the seller and I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow. I would like some tips on what I should look for. And also do you think that is a good deal for a 3 year old camera?
* Have them charge the battery so you can test the camera.
* Make sure that they have all the things that came in the cameras box. Listed below
* Bring an SD or SDHC card.
* Format the SD card using the format feature on the D40
* Take some test shots using the camera in the manual mode (using the light meter), Aperture priority mode and Shutter priority mode.
What is in the box:
EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
MH-23 Quick Charger
UC-E4 USB Cable
Software Suite CD-ROM
DK-16 Rubber Eyecup
AN-DC1 Camera Strap
BF-1A Body Cap
DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
You might want to find out how many shutter actuations it has made… Can be viewed in the EXIF file on a recent photo.
I believe the shutter is only good for 100, 000 actuations on a D40
I've just seen this and it can be somewhat less: http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/nikon_d40.htm
Make sure the seller brings a fully charged battery. If you can bring one (EN-EL?) better.
Test everything from shutter speeds to aperture sizes. If you don't know how to use one, bring someone who does. Take lots of shots. Underexpose and overexpose to see that the camera indeed responds correctly. Test every button and wheel. Try all doors. Check AF. Check manual focus (very common error). Don't forget the diopter. Leave nothing uninspected, even the tripod hole. $250 is the lowest a decent dSLR can go. If the camera passes, pay up immediately.
Uhm… The D40 was released in 2006. Although the one you are looking at may be from the last batch, don't get your hopes up too high. A better assessment would be the shutter actuation count. Most dSLR's are rated up to 100, 000. Anything less than 10, 000 could be treated as almost new. Ask the seller about it.
I'm not to familiar with Nikon but that sounds like a pretty good deal for an SLR.
take the lens on and off to be sure it comes off properly. And as others have said, make sure it can turn and check the scrolls and buttons, and take a few pictures and see how they turn out.