I am considering purchasing a used Canon 1D Mark III and want to get a handle on the valuations when it comes to considering actuations and how it affects the overall price. Assuming all things being equal with the condition of the body, is their a rough guideline that people use. For example,
A respectfully treated camera that is in good condition with some wear of the shutter still keeps good value. I agree with Lars, the number of clicks is hardly relevant, especially if the camera has been serviced by CPS. A replacement shutter is 300-350 EUR including labour and tax. So do your math: the difference between a 10k click 1DmkIII or a well serviced 200k click MKIII will be between 500-700$ where a part of that price difference is based on the fact that a 200k body is probably less then mint, while a 10K one probably still is in mint condition. No way that every 10k of clicks depreciates a camera with another 100$.
The price of 1D3's has been dropping for some time, which is great if your buying and not so good if your selling. Two main issues on the 1D3 as far a valuation are relative condition of the the body and where the camera is in relation to it's presumed end of life on the shutter. Autofocus/mirror box issues don't count as Canon will service these at no charge here in the US (presume Canada also) even for used cameras. Recent low shutter count 1D3's ( between 2000-30000 clicks) can be had for $2100-2300. In the last 6 weeks I have bought 2 at an average of $2150, one with 3000 clicks, one with 8800, both Canon verified. If you were to find a well kept body with much higher clicks I would value it at those numbers less the cost of shutter, about $300. I would not be afraid to pay a little more, say $200 if you found one you really liked from a trusted seller but there are lots available out there
By the way, I was posting "an example" Lars, not stating the way it is. So my "example" is not ridiculous, it was just for illustration purposes.
If the choice for similar condition bodies was:
1D MK III, 40,000 actuations, proof of sub-mirror fix, extra new Canon battery...$2400
OR
1D MK III, blue dot (sub-mirror fix done by Canon prior to retail sale), 10,000 actuations,.....$2400
Which would you choose?
You worry way too much about the shutter, If the camera is nice it doesn't matter if there is 10, 20, 30,40 or 60k actuations. It's easy to get fixed at Canon also. And often cost less than other broken parts in the camera that you don't worry at all over.
The imortant thing is that the camera works as it's suppose to do
In my point of view some people are trying to make money in advance with used stuff by buying cheap and then resell on the right price. 1D MarkIII (like any 1D camera) is not that situation this camera can make real job in most circumstances and it really worths minimum 2800USD at this moment. Any other speculation and trade is just nonsense.
The 1D MkIII is really good however only 10mp image size is a bit restrictive for really big enlargements like 48" x 32", and with the new 7D with its much improved AF and and other bells and whistles priced so much lower, it will inevitably mean that prices for the 1D MkIII will drop drastically. Unfortunately that is the nature of most consumer electronics.
Thank god for the 7D. I just pulled the trigger on a lightly used 1d3, 16000 actuations. At the canon store they checked it they said 6000. But the counter trips at 9999 I think so I go with what the owner said. Owner sold all equipment due to financial problems.
It includes some cables for flash, extra new unopened battery, receipt and everything original. You can not see that the camera is used.
The prize was a good number of beers below a new 7d, roughly 30 beers bought in the store.
So even if AF is soso, I'm sure i'll get a hell of a lot of camera for my money. It's below half prize from new.
The 7D's noted improved AF tracking,
hope for the IV and
RG's final negative III report this year 5/29/2009
after Canon released the final fix via 1.2.5 and another service advisory
on the III seemed to diminish interest in the camera for many.
Also, with 1D II and IIn prices at or under $1000 gives other 1 series options
with AF tracking that RG notes as much better.
Probably never been a better time to buy a used 1 series camera
and once the IV ships one can only imagine how many II, IIn, and III will
flood the market and see where prices go
The price is what you think it is worth, And how quick you want to get rid of it, Or what the buyer thanks it is worth for a Clean well used and taken care of Camera.
Point... I have a IIN for sale. Just bought a III, I am not willing to take a beating to flip my IIN. It is worth in my opion what I am asking. If it don't sell I have a nice back up. I haven't gotten to the point of Needing to sell it to pay bills to keep the lights on.
Now you can see what the high and low of the Mark III is going for, and judge by the Camera you are looking at , Its History, and the Buyer, what it is worth (to You )
There are great deals out there but also some junk cameras being sold also.
I don't trust folks at there shutter count either. I posted a pick and was told that the data showed 1270 for shutter count, Canon had it at 5000.
Unless you shoot a LOT.