Cost of used kit?

[dFe]

What is the general feeling with regards to the cost of used camera bodies.

I've been poking around at pricing for a 50D, can purchase it now from B&H new for about R8k (ok admitted I have transport to bring it back for me.)

Locally in the retail shops lowest price I've received is R12-R13k, from various distributors the lowest is R10900.00

Yet when you look in the used market the sellers expect R10-R12k?

Surely if you can source the body new for R13k it is madness to pay anything more than R6-R7k for it used?

What's the general feeling?

[Jola]

You are missing a few things.

Firstly, if you import it from B&H, and pay all the costs, then it will cost you about R10 500. But then you have no warranty on the camera.

It sells locally for about R11 000, with a one year warranty - so you would be crazy to import this camera. The warranty is worth much more than R500.

As for the used prices that you mention, I have not seen those, but for a new camera with most of the warranty left the price could well be R10 000, but no more. If it is older then yes, the price should drop to R8000 to R9000.

Most people don't have the ability to evade import duties and to get free transport to SA, so that price is not really relevant.

[dFe]

OK ignore the B&H option.

If a body is R11k new now, how much should it be paid for used.

[AMILO]

but for a new camera with most of the warranty left the price could well be R10 000, but no more. If it is older then yes, the price should drop to R8000 to R9000.

I was led to believe that the warranty did not transfer with ownership - was I mistaken? If not then R9000 should be the limit for a used body!

[Jola]

I was led to believe that the warranty did not transfer with ownership - was I mistaken? If not then R9000 should be the limit for a used body!

No, you were not mistaken, the warranty does not transfer.

But there are two issues here :
1) Will Canon check if ownership was transferred ?
2) How good is your relationship with the original owner ?

But your argument that the used body should not be valued at more than R9000 makes sense, and if I was a buyer I would certainly use that argument.

I took quite a burn on my 40D (ex ODP) when I sold it, pretty much for the reasons that you mention.

But I would not see 50D prices at R7000 to R8000 just yet, unless the camera has some damage. Once the 60D comes out, then 50D prices will collapse.

Note : I think that what is happening here is that the 50D prices have declined, and some sellers (who paid a lot more) cannot face the loss, or have not really paid attention to new prices.

[dFe]

Note : I think that what is happening here is that the 50D prices have declined, and some sellers (who paid a lot more) cannot face the loss, or have not really paid attention to new prices.

Definitely, not so long ago I saw adverts for the 50D selling at R18k.

Now you can get them new for R11k, serious depreciation for the new owner. Guess for us non pro's the best time to buy will always be just before end of life then.

But for me if something cost R11k new I would not be prepared to may more than R8k used for it.

[Jola]

But for me if something cost R11k new I would not be prepared to may more than R8k used for it.

I think that you are being a bit harsh, that is almost 30% off the value.

But everyone would have their own expectations in that respect, it is after all a free market.

dSLR's are also difficult, bodies change every year, so they don't hold their value.

It's different with lenses, some lenses stay the same for 6 years or more. In that case prices won't drop that fast.

[Irene McCullagh]

Rule of thumb, two thirds of full price, imo.

Have a look at age, determine signs of usage, shutter actuations, scuff marks etc.

Also - what's in the box? Full original packaging? All cables, user manual etc?

[Peter Veitch]

Dirk, I'm not sure what your pre-occupation with second hand value is. I buy the camera to use not to resell, so my philosophy is that when I need my next one, I buy not factoring in the "trade-in" value. Should I sell (not give away to one of the kids), that's bonus money.

[Geurt]

Dirk, I tend to think along the very same lines you're thinking. If dollar price US $1060 (I think) and at R7.5 to $ then my buying price for 2nd hand locally will not be higher than that aka R8k. If offered price is more, then I'd consider importing new, pay the US $170 transport plus 1.20 factor tax and have new body with precise the same risk or even lower risk as buying 2nd hand from local seller.

[dFe]

Dirk, I'm not sure what your pre-occupation with second hand value is.

Because I am in the market but not prepared to pay almost new price for used item, thus the thread, to figure out the mindset, budget for new is out of reach, so I have to decide between good value used in SA or one from B&H.

With lenses it's pretty easy there seem to be a certain stability when it comes to used lens pricing, but bodies is different.

[Jola]

Dirk, I tend to think along the very same lines you're thinking. If dollar price US $1060 (I think) and at R7.5 to $ then my buying price for 2nd hand locally will not be higher than that aka R8k. If offered price is more, then I'd consider importing new, pay the US $170 transport plus 1.20 factor tax and have new body with precise the same risk or even lower risk as buying 2nd hand from local seller.

But using your figures, Geurt, you are talking about R8000 used (locally) v ((1060*7.5*1.2)+(170*7.5)) = R10 815 new from B&H.

Both have no warranty.

That is almost R3000 difference, I may pay more than R8000 for a prime quality local, in box, as new. Maybe R9000.

In any case, you would be nuts to buy from B&H for R10 815 when you can get it brand-new locally for R10 995, with a year's warranty.

[Geurt]

Jola, the price that I'll use as a base for 2nd hand is precise the US $ value times the R7.5 aka R8k. So I'll consider a 2nd hand camera for R8k. If it is higher, then I'll start to consider the alternative of rather importing a new one from B&H. Maybe I did not express myself well enough. The issue for me is, I'll not consider a value higher than the new US $ value (converted to RSA value) as base price.

For interest, the 50D was some 45% higher no more than 5 months ago (Rand value) So those owners would love to get better than R10k else they stand to lose more than 30% of original price and if you consider Nikon it even becomes more of a problem.

Anyway, just my way of thinking on max 2nd hand prices.

[Jola]

.. BUT with Nikon, I am sorry but for 2nd hand I am not prepared to pay the present owner, the luxury that Nikon SA is taking for itself.

Yes, that is a problem.

But that also implies that Nikon buyers should not buy in SA, as the 2nd hand loss will be too great.

I can kick myself for being so impatient and buying my D300s locally - good money down the drain.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

2nd hand value is supply and demand. There are older canon lense (200mm f/2 I think?? or something in that line) that is in such high demand that you can get whatever you ask for it, because there are none on the market.

also, as previously mentioned, what is the condition of the body? and what type of shooter was the original owner? Any body can be buffed up to look nice again...

[Marcell van Aswegen]

Forgiss, that would be the 200 f1.8

the 200 f2 is the upgrade that was released last year.

I would love to get my hands on the 1.8 version though. I know someone who shoots nikon and have a ef 200L f1.8 lying around .....

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

hehehe... I thought it was the f/1.8, but knew that if I gotit wrong, somebody will help me out!

[Barkingmad]

Any body can be buffed up to look nice again...

oh I wish! ...but then, I am not referring to my camera

[Ken]

Yes, that is a problem.

But that also implies that Nikon buyers should not buy in SA, as the 2nd hand loss will be too great.

I can kick myself for being so impatient and buying my D300s locally - good money down the drain.

I stand to correction on my point here. As I undestand it from a warranty perspective (only from what I have heard) is that the local authorised Canon repairer will repair an overseas purchase but at a cost; but local authorised Nikon repairers on the otherhand will not touch an overseas import not brought in by the authorised agent. In which case the Nikon bought directly from oversees may not be the wisest choice.