Just thought the FM community should be aware, I bought a "demo" D2H from Cameta. I received it yesterday in a Nikon box marked "refurbished item". While it looked virtually brand new when I checked the shutter actuations Opanda showed it at 83,000+ releases. Needless to say I'm returning it....so buyer beware!!!!
Anyone have a mint D2H with low clicks for sale...I'm still looking.
83K is a way too many for a used one IMO however if there was a way to know the shutter had been replaced it would have been OK.
I don`t blame you for returning it.
John
The Cameta "demos" are units that Nikon USA calls "Class B" items - salespeople samples, tradeshow demos, and cameras sent out to Nikon-sponsored workshops. They're then sent through the refurb program when taken out of use, and sold in that white "refurb" box.
I guess you always risk getting an item that's been out on the sponsorship workshop series circuit for a while, clicking a coupla thou shots a week for weeks on end by workshop participants. Looks like that's probably what you got this time.
Are you going to give Cameta a chance to send you a replacement? It's hard to believe you'd get two high-count items in a row! I once got a Class B F5 from Pro Photo Supply in Portland that had a big 1/2-inch bash in the prism; the replacement was perfect, though!
Cameta is a reputable dealer. I am with you on returning the camera though.
I asked them if the refurb cameras they were selling had the meter fix and they ignored my request. That put me on alert.
Try to get one from the buy and sell forum. Something tells me you are going to be better off. Do not forget to ask for actuations.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
I purchased a D2H from Cameta refurbished and it had 650 actuations. After 1 hour the meter blew out. Sent it to Nikon and now I have a perfect D2H. Sweet deal.
shoremichael wrote:
Thanks for all the comments...I'm still looking for a mint D2H with low clicks.
Don't forget, the shutter on the D2 bodies are rated at 150,000 clicks. Even if you get a high mileage D2H (say 10,000+ clicks), there is still a lot of life left in the shutter.
I decided not to mess with it. When I told them the camera had 83K+ clicks they reminded me it was a demo, I quoted from their auction description: "In most cases a Nikon USA Factory Demo is a product that has been used as a Nikon display piece or as a 'Salesman's Sample'. They have never been owned by a consumer and have minimal to no use....." Their response was send it back for a refund. Hopefully I'll get my refund soon, in the meantime I've found and purchased a D2H with less than 4K clicks for less than the Cameta demo.
I think this serves well to point out that Cameta is a reputable dealer. They agreed to take the unit back.
I did notice that their demo units consistently sell for slightly more than what one can be had privately. This means either people don't know what the range of the camera is used or they put a small premium on getting a camera through a dealer, that has been looked over by Nikon and carries a 1 yr warranty. Most of which you will not get in a private sale, most of the time. the warranty definitely not. Are those features worth $200 or so? thats subjective.
No I wouldn't want a unit at over 80+ K but at the same time I know this to be half of the estimated life with the potential and probability to go a great deal more. Besides having low actuations doesn't gaurantee anything, it's just probability.
Provided you get the refund, Cameta did well by you and by no means would I have considered it a rip off for them to sell you this camera to begin with.
I agree. I weighed the pros and cons of buying through Cameta or a private party and felt that I would have a better chance of getting my money back with Cameta, should I choose to return the camera. The 1yr warranty was also a nice addition. So, we'll see. If things don't work out, I'll return it and consider it lesson learned.
Wow 