Daughter And A Used Nikon DSLR - Advice?

[jyl]

Hey, I'm looking for advice on my daughter's purchase of a used Nikon D200.

This is my 15 y/o daughter's purchase. She's been working some this summer (busing tables at a friends' restaurant, doing an internship at a design studio) and has saved up enough to buy a DSLR, so she's looking for one that will take all my MF lenses - which means something in the Nikon D# or D### line. Well, a D200 with a Dx kit lens is in her budget. (The D700 is not.)

So, I'm going to look at a couple on local Craigslist for her.

Question 1: Is there a self-test or diagnostic that I can run on the camera? If I can't be confident of being able to identify a fully-functional one, I may just buy from KEH instead.

Question 2: Is there a serial number range to seek or avoid, anything like that?

Question 3: Is there any way to check shutter actuations on the camera? Apparently every used DSLR out there has "about 10,000 actuations", hmm, but I don't know of any way to check that besides reading EXIF data from an image.

Question 4: If the seller has the camera, memory card, charger, and battery, that's all she needs to take pics and , right? There's not some Nikon software disc that she'll need to buy?

(I'm liking this idea that my daughter wants to work and buy things for herself. I may talk to her about paying for her eventual car . . . )

[RWebb]

if these things will take pics at various light levels & with flash, they usually are ok

not like ye olden times when you had to test (and get adjusted) each shutter speed

re accessories, she needs a mini-USB to USB cable - and some software to Xfer the pics, either Nikon's or a pgm provided in Windows or an app. somebody wrote. nothing else needed

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by jyl

Hey, I'm looking for advice on my daughter's purchase of a used Nikon D200.

This is my 15 y/o daughter's purchase. She's been working some this summer (busing tables at a friends' restaurant, doing an internship at a design studio) and has saved up enough to buy a DSLR, so she's looking for one that will take all my MF lenses - which means something in the Nikon D# or D### line. Well, a D200 with a Dx kit lens is in her budget. (The D700 is not.)

So, I'm going to look at a couple on local Craigslist for her.

Question 1: Is there a self-test or diagnostic that I can run on the camera? If I can't be confident of being able to identify a fully-functional one, I may just buy from KEH instead.

Question 2: Is there a serial number range to seek or avoid, anything like that?

Question 3: Is there any way to check shutter actuations on the camera? Apparently every used DSLR out there has "about 10,000 actuations", hmm, but I don't know of any way to check that besides reading EXIF data from an image.

Question 4: If the seller has the camera, memory card, charger, and battery, that's all she needs to take pics and , right? There's not some Nikon software disc that she'll need to buy?

(I'm liking this idea that my daughter wants to work and buy things for herself. I may talk to her about paying for her eventual car . . . )

1. I would take it to a camera store to have it checked out.
2. Google is a great source of this kind of info
3. My D200 has well over 10,000 captures and it has never given me a moments trouble.
4. You don't need Nikon software, but you need something to download and manipulate, and organize the photos. I use Photoshop and Bridge, but they're pretty spendy. Someone else might know a good consumer product for that.

[AFC-911]

Originally Posted by jyl

Question 3: Is there any way to check shutter actuations on the camera? Apparently every used DSLR out there has "about 10,000 actuations", hmm, but I don't know of any way to check that besides reading EXIF data from an image.

Question 4: If the seller has the camera, memory card, charger, and battery, that's all she needs to take pics and , right? There's not some Nikon software disc that she'll need to buy?

* Opanda Exif software is the only way I know how to check for actual actuations.

* Freeware that can edit and manipulate (and sometimes organize) the photos: Picasa, GIMP...

[masraum]

I know that for my canon, the canon software is available free online. The nikon software is probably the same, but as said any software will work unless she wants to shoot in raw format

[URY914]

I've had a D40 for the last 4 years and I've very pleased with it. My wife and daughter use it also.

[willtel]

This might be helpful, 10 things to test before buying a used DSLR | ADIDAP

Checking the sensor for excessive dust, hot pixels, and the number of shutter clicks would be the key things for me. Don't get too hung up on the shutter clicks, most of these cameras will be replaced due to advancing tech long before they wear out.

I live right around the corner from KEH and you can't go wrong with them.

The classifieds section over at Fred Miranda is also full of nice gear and reputable sellers.
Buy & Sell Photo-Gear - FM Forums

[deanp]

I was thrilled with my D200 body until I bought a used D300 as a second body. Better color, better lcd, better resolution, better high ISO performance. If you cab swing a little more $ try to grab a D300. The 200 is good, no doubt but it stays in the bag now when I have to choose one body to use.

[deanp]

Nikon's ViewNX is free and downloadable. Perfectly functional for viewing and converting from NEF (nikon raw) to jpg.

[deanp]

I'd also suggest the Magic Lantern guide, much better than the factory manual.

[Eric Coffey]

Maybe a "well broken-in" D2x? I have seen them for under $700 with lots of life left.

[xbrumossalesman]

Being the cool Dad that you are why don't you take her money that she saved & pay the difference for a new one ?

Of course you need to go together to pick it out & it shows you are aware of her commitment. It will be a bonding experience that will be remembered long after the price is forgotten.

[Mookster]

Shameless plug...

I have a Nikon D80 camera body only for sale, $275 (original box and everything that comes with it). Located in Tampa.

You need to acquire a lens and a high speed and SD card.

PM me if you are interested.