I am in Dilema, Help Please

alfombraroja · Mar 16, 2008

Hello,

This is my first post and I need some help. I am in the market for a new DSRL. I am not a professional photographer at no means. I was in the video business quite a few years ago, so things are very different now. I need to do a lot of photography for websites, mostly car photography. Right now Ive been using a point and shoot but obviously it is not good enough. A macro lens and wide angle would also be necessary because we do a lot of closeup pictures.

A local photographer is trying to sell me his Fujifilm S3, he is a professional photographer and the camera has seen a lot of use but it is in fair condition. Also included are 2 nikon lenses 1 80-200 mm 2.8, dont have the specifications for the other one, only that is a macro and is a 2.8 also. He is also including the nikon sb-600 flash.

The price he wants for the complete package is $2K and some training by him would be included. Like stated before this equipment probably has been used for 3 years. If I buy new equipment somewhere hes going to charge me $ to train me. Here are my questions and I appreciate your answers.

1. Is this a good deal for this equipment (training provided)?
2. Should I go for newer body like the Nikon D300 or the S5

Thank for reading my post

JerryPH · Mar 16, 2008

What is the shutter count on the camera?

alfombraroja · Mar 16, 2008

JerryPH said:
What is the shutter count on the camera?

I found this online from another person that is selling one S3

I have called Fujifilm and spoke to their tech line. They told me it is IMPOSSIBLE to find the shutter count. I have no idea what is the shutter count, I just know how long it was used and what it was used for.

LaFoto · Mar 16, 2008

Heya, "Red Carpet", welcome to ThePhotoForum.

Well, I'm sorry I cannot really be helpful in replying to your question, though I get the feeling that 2000 Dollars for a 3-year-old camera body and two lenses is a bit on the expensive side... I would not buy a three-year-old camera body, I think, not if it is a digital camera, where the shutter becomes wonky after so-and-so many times of having been used. (Or so I hear, I'm still "on my first DSLR", after 2 years and 3 months).

But I wanted to say hallo and tell you that I like your screenname and wonder why you call yourself that !? Red Carpet.

alfombraroja · Mar 16, 2008

LaFoto said:
Heya, "Red Carpet", welcome to ThePhotoForum.

Well, I'm sorry I cannot really be helpful in replying to your question, though I get the feeling that 2000 Dollars for a 3-year-old camera body and two lenses is a bit on the expensive side... I would not buy a three-year-old camera body, I think, not if it is a digital camera, where the shutter becomes wonky after so-and-so many times of having been used. (Or so I hear, I'm still "on my first DSLR", after 2 years and 3 months).

But I wanted to say hallo and tell you that I like your screenname and wonder why you call yourself that !? Red Carpet.

Thank you for the warm welcome. The screen name is because of my daughters. One of them picked the usersname.

Stranger · Mar 16, 2008

the 80-200 lens is still sold for $900 new, Though i can not comment for sure but judging by the 80-200 his macro is probably the older 105 macro non vr.

That would be about $1400 in equipment alone, plus the 600 = about 1500. So you would really bbe paying about 500 for the body

of course these numbers are estimates. Im not sure though about the camera but i am sure he took good care of it. And it seems like you wont be putting it to crazy use with sports or photojournalism. I would definitely consider it or atleast ask him for a shutter estimate