Seeking advice on Nikon DF (Page 5): Many of the refurbished cameras were demos at Best Buy, Wallmart, et al, and have under 100 shutter count. They get checked out, and of course...

Pilot 6 Loc: Eugene, OR

Many of the refurbished cameras were demos at Best Buy, Wallmart, et al, and have under 100 shutter count. They get checked out, and of course, cleaned up. Then they're put in a white box and sold to us.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

[quote=Dan De Lion]-----

Hey wapiti - Do you really think NikonUSA takes back a camera because someone didn't like its color or its size or its weight and then refurbishes them? No, no,no. Like all businesses, Nikon "fixes" factory mistakes and then blows them out as heavily discounted refurbished items.

Who do you think benefits from the rumor that Nikon's refurbished cameras are really brand new? I'll give you one guess.

Refurbished means fixed. If a new camera needs to be fixed that implies it was defective. There's no free lunch, sorry about that.

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Ever heard of demos, trade-ins, and returned items for reasons other than defective devices. Most retail outlets have return policies for various reasons other than defective reasons. Once again, I've purchased several Nikon refurbished camera bodies from Cameta Camera and have not one single problem and I will continue to do so in the future. You've got an "ax to grind" with Nikon. I get it.

BebuLamar

I don't know exactly what the refurbished are but as I understand it they are these:
1. Defective cameras returned by customers, repaired.
2. Demo cameras from Best Buy, Walmart.
3. Cameras returned simply because the customer didn't like it. But this raises the question is there a store that let you return cameras for full refund just because you don't like it?

Of all the cameras listed above if I buy a refurbished I would hope to get the ones that got returned simply because the customers didn't like them. The other two cases I rather buy new because the saving really isn't that much.
1. In my experience if a camera is defective very likely the problem will come back again after the repair.
2. Demos cameras from Best Buy and Walmart subjected to very rough treatment from the customers. They may function fine but I think the cosmetic suffer a lot.

As for the short warranty I sure agree that Nikon isn't as confident with refurbished as with new because the long warranty doesn't cost them anything unless the cameras are likely to fail.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Dan De Lion wrote:

----- br br Wapiti - Try looking up the meaning o... (show quote)

I'm giving you the last word on this.
Sorry that you had a problem.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Bobspez wrote:

Well, in that situation you may not have time to m... (show quote)

Exactly. At my age my eyesight isn't what it used to be, and I use autofocus for everything. I got rid of my older manual focus lenses, not just because of no autofocus, but in changing conditions, I don't want to lose the capability for aperture or shutter priority mode.

Dan De Lion Loc: Montana

Pilot 6 wrote:

Many of the refurbished cameras were demos at Best Buy, Wallmart, et al, and have under 100 shutter count. They get checked out, and of course, cleaned up. Then they're put in a white box and sold to us.

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Of course your HOPE is that you'll get an unused camera as refurbished. What you should FEAR is that because the USA is the richest market in the world, Nikon sends all the worlds defective cameras to the Nikon Store for refurbishing and resale. That would explain the white boxes and no manuals. Remember, Nikon is selling tens of thousands of refurbished cameras, they ain't all demos.

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Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I just bought a used Nikon D200 on ebay for $155 with shipping. It is among the last of the CCD sensor cameras made by Nikon. Some people say the CCD produces more film like colors than CMOS, and based on postings to flickr, and my own experience with digital vs film, I'm hoping this is true. CCD cameras have no live view, so more like a film exerience except you can review pics you have taken on the lcd screen. And it takes all the old Nikkor lenses plus it has a motor in the camera for auto focus lenses without a built in motor. No video capability. Before spending $2700 on a DF, I'd give the D200 a try. If and when you outgrow the D200 the DF's will probably cost less anyway.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Bobspez wrote:

I just bought a used Nikon D200 on ebay for $155 w... (show quote)

I have the D200 since 2009, it produced pretty good color images. I brought my Df in late 2013 just after it was released to the market. I finally found a replacement for my D200, because of it's limited ISO (1600 ISO max. only) I can only use it out door in good lighting condition. The Df is my solution at that time. I could not wait any longer for the up-graded of D300, (the D400, now it comes the D500, that's too late for me!), so I chose the Df, instead of the D800 at that time. I don't like the huge pixel of the D800. For 3-1/2 years using the Df, I feel very satisfied with it.
On the D200 that I am still using it occasionally, I am consider convert it to true IR camera. It's built solidly and will last a long time. It sure can take all the Nikon lenses but pre-AI lenses. You need to modify them to fit the D200.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll continue using my D3100 for my pre-ais lenses, and/or take out my dremel tool to modify my 55mm macro lens and one or two others.

wingclui44 wrote:

I have the D200 since 2009, it produced pretty goo... (show quote)

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

rook2c4 wrote:

It certainly does not feel like the FE. The contours are completely different and the size is quite different too.

If one is talking only about the color of the silver Df, it resembles any number of different brands and models. In actual size, shape and weight it is very close to a Nikon F3P, down to the little grip on the left side (as seen from the front).

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Bobspez wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll continue using my D3100 for my pre-ais lenses, and/or take out my dremel tool to modify my 55mm macro lens and one or two others.

I believe your 55mm (either f2.8 or f3.5) is already an AI lens that you don't have to modify it and will fit your D200. But for sure, check the lens mount to see if the ridge is there already. The ridge is for making contact with the aperture tab on the upper side of the camera mount on the body.
Good luck!

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Thanks, I believe you are correct. I just mounted the 55mm micro Nikkor 3.5 on my D7000. It seems like it was a bit tight, but it did click into place and works well. The same with my PC Nikkor 35mm shift lens, except on a vertical shift the lens only shifts 8 of 12 possible increments as the shifted portion of the lens bumps into the bottom of the flash housing. I'm expecting the D200 to arrive next week. Maybe the D200 will have a little extra room between the lens mount and the bottom of the flash housing.

wingclui44 wrote:

I believe your 55mm (either f2.8 or f3.5) is already an AI lens that you don't have to modify it and will fit your D200. But for sure, check the lens mount to see if the ridge is there already. The ridge is for making contact with the aperture tab on the upper side of the camera mount on the body.
Good luck!

BebuLamar

RWR wrote:

If one is talking only about the color of the silver Df, it resembles any number of different brands and models. In actual size, shape and weight it is very close to a Nikon F3P, down to the little grip on the left side (as seen from the front).

While the Df weighs about the same as my F3HP it's significantly larger. When mounted with a 50mm f/1.4 AI the F3 looks right and on the Df the lens looks too small.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BebuLamar wrote:

While the Df weighs about the same as my F3HP it's significantly larger. When mounted with a 50mm f/1.4 AI the F3 looks right and on the Df the lens looks too small.

How do the actual dimensions compare?
I mentioned the F3P because of the hot-shoe atop the prism, but it is actually 8.5mm higher than the HP.

silverwren Loc: Alabama

Wow, $155 for a D200. I bought mine new when it came out. Then I proceeded to buy DX lenses, occasionally using an old lens from the FM2. I still regard the D200 as a very good camera and I use it on occasion. Now using the DF and D3, I am back to the old lens plus a new FX now and then to round out the lineup. I am not a pro and can't list all the technical pluses but I would recommend the D200 to anyone wanting a good camera for little money, especially if it has been well taken care of. Good luck with yours.