dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

I have 3 Nikon cameras , A D90 that is not used hardly at all , A D600 and a D800 - these I always take with me. I was looking at KEH and MPB and the thought of trading in my D90 and D600 to obtain a newer camera like a D3s or D810 or. My question is are the trade in prices, really worth it, or would I be better off holding on to them. These cameras came from KEH and I have no problems with any of them. What would you do?

Rickilu52

IMHO keep what you have. You could convert the D600 to infrared. Your cameras are paid for and won't get much for them.

pendennis

I like the idea of the D810, provided you can find one with a low enough shutter count. Last year, sold my D500, and used the funds to endow a nice used D810 with less than 1500 shutter actuations.

You might also consider a used D850. Maybe a bit more than you want to pay, but it's also a fantastic camera.

User ID

Stay put for now. Not a good time to sink more $$ into SLRs. This is especially true concerning the rather minor upgrade you have in mind vs the $$ loss you’ll incur.

Red6

As a group, many of us photographers are borderline hoarders and do not part easily with older equipment. Often the reason given that "someday" it will be used or it may increase in value or become scarce etc.

However, I broke that ball and chain habit years ago. I have several hobbies, all involving various pieces of equipment, gear, reference material, and tools. After several moves and all that is involved in storing, packing, and moving all this gear, I reformed myself and started getting rid of items I did not use or need. I did a hard examination and analysis of the items I had and asked myself if I was really getting ANY enjoyment in hauling around and caring for items I did not use on a regular basis.

I made a new rule; If an item or items had not been ACTIVELY used within the last 6 months it is sold or donated. What a sense of freedom this delivers. Not having to track, store, maintain an ever-growing pile of things on a constant basis. I now own only 1 camera and 3 lenses that I use on a regular basis. Each lens or accessory is constantly measured against the 6-month rule and eliminated if it fails the test and may be replaced with something better or more useful.

As far as worrying about "losing money" in selling the used items. That is incorrect. The cost of that lens or camera was lost the day you purchased it. Unless the item is an appreciating asset rather than a depreciating asset it is considered a sunk cost. Since most hobby items are depreciating assets, you lose money every day you keep it. Unless it is a collectible or one of a kind, the only way to stop this loss is to sell it. Businesses deal with this issue on a regular basis. A piece of expensive equipment is purchased and used until it becomes worn out or outdated. At that point, it is worthless and sold for salvage. Even if the machine is not worn out, it is most likely outdated with little resale value. The initial loss is offset only by its usefulness during its life and any salvage value.

One can argue all day long that an older camera that you paid a lot of money for may retain or regain some of its worth but this is usually only false hope. Old technology falls in value very quickly and becomes junk with zero value. DSLRs may have been valuable items at one time and still have some usefulness, but overall their value is dropping rapidly with the onslaught of mirrorless AND phone photography. In another 10 years, most DSLRs will be paperweights or scrap.

Again, if they are useful to you then by all means continue to use them. But if they are sitting in a case or on a shelf somewhere for months at a time - get rid of them while they still have some salvage value.

CO

If you have any DX lenses, I would trade in the D90 and D600 on a D7200 or D7500. They have a higher pixel density and will give you the extra reach. Keep the D800 also. I have a D7500, D500, and D750. I like having both cropped sensor and full frame.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Sell the lot and (to stay with Nikon) this should fund a D810 - but could it be a good time to look at EVFs? Perhaps a different brand? Bare in mind that the camera world is starting a radical change - don't get stuck unnecessarily with equipment that may take a big dive sooner rather than later.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I think you should get prices from both concerns. Then buy one camera.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If you are serious and want to retain as much value as you can you can always spend an extra few minutes and list them on Ebay. I have been selling there for over 15 years.
I get between 45-75% more for my equipment than by trading it in, and this is after paying Ebay and Paypal their fees.
Some folks here will tell you their horror stories about Ebay, like I said, I have sold there for over 15 years without issue.
If you have money to burn, you can always trade them in.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Sell un-needed or un-wanted gear here or on Ebay/other "used things" platforms. There are still folks out there who may have never pulled the trigger for a better camera or lens that would bite now... that old D90 is still a nice move up from many other picture takers. and the D600 is an even bigger step-up. While the trade-in route is easy, you will take a hit in potential $$ return - like billnikon said "I get 45-75% more versus trade-in".....pretty much "spot-on". Besides, folks here would probably be much more appreciative of a good offering on well cared for equipment. And, you can always "gift" older gear to someone in need/want. Just my $.02 ......

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I have four older DSLRS in pristine condition that I use regularly. If I were to “upgrade “ I would still keep what I have. They are worth more to me than anyone else. Same with my lenses. OTOH by all means sell them if you have no plans to use them. People like me appreciate good used equipment than has been well taken care of. I shop MPB since they disclose shutter counts.They probably will make you a fair offer.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I’m a clean break consumer. Haven’t always been and in the past held on to things too long when I made a move. So…. now, I’m still slow to make changes but when I do, I’m all in. My suggestion, make the commitment, if it’s a change you really want, either buy then sell all the existing or the reverse, i.e. sell then buy. Good luck! BTW, we do make it harder than it has to be. 🤔😵‍💫🥴😳🙂

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Sell then private party like on Craigslist or Marketplace and then buy what you want. When you sell to a store they give you peanuts for them. They have a lot of overhead.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The flip side of this shift from dSLR to MILC is that if dSLR technology is still perfectly usable TO YOU, it becomes a bargain. I don't want any dSLR gear. But if you like what you have and have no compelling reason to switch to mirrorless, then GREAT used gear is available for less than ever. We are starting to see a stampede — away from mirrors and toward mirrorless. It has downward pressure on dSLR prices, and to lesser extent, dSLR lens prices.

There are MILLIONS of lightly used, high grade cameras and lenses in closets everywhere, bought by folks who never had the time or patience to learn to use them. Maybe they got sick and didn't have the strength to use them. Maybe they couldn't force themselves to admit they could not figure it out on their own. It's sad, any way it happens, that this gear isn't getting used to make great images.

How many shutter clicks are on your camera? If it's less than 50,000, and the gear has been treated gently, then chances are, there is a LOT of life left in your camera. MTBF (mean time before failure) ratings of top cameras often exceed 200,000. While any camera can fail at any time, most will last at least until the MTBF, with many lasting twice that long.

So if you are happy with your 5D IV or D850 or what have you, take a look at the used lens market. Canon and Nikon users, especially, have an easy transition path to mirrorless if they want it, because the lens adapters sold by these OEMs are quite good at putting dSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies. Don't expect used dSLR lenses to be as heavily discounted as body prices. But don't be afraid of buying cameras or lenses from the usual reputable dealers of used goods listed below, because they often have 90 to 180-day warranties on their products. Their ratings are usually generous in your favor, too.

Adorama
B&H
KEH
MPB
UsedPhotoPro (Roberts Camera)

With more risk and no warranties, lower prices can be had from eBay, Craigslist, and similar sites, and here on UHH. Just be careful.

photoman43

If you can find a used D810 with a low shutter count, I would buy one. A used D 850, even better.

A private sale will yield you the most for your D90, D 800 and D600 if that is feasible. If not keep them or donate them.