New member needs advice: I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

Dredoms

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Fine camera. I am sure you will love it.

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Dredoms wrote:

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

I upgraded from a D100 about a year ago to a D7200. About three months ago I decided I needed a second camera,
got a D500. They are both good.

Dredoms

For the D500 the local camera store price is around $1700 for just the body. On line I have seen prices in the $1449 range and one store that offers about 12 different upgrade packages with lenses, tripods, camera bags and multiple other goodies for just $350 +/- more. Any experience buying something this pricey online?

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Dredoms wrote:

For the D500 the local camera store price is around $1700 for just the body. On line I have seen prices in the $1449 range and one store that offers about 12 different upgrade packages with lenses, tripods, camera bags and multiple other goodies for just $350 +/- more. Any experience buying something this pricey online?

Let the buyer beware. If it sounds too good, it's probably grey market. B&H is a good company to deal with.

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Rest assured, go ahead and buy photo equipment or supplies at B & H or Adorama, in my years as an assistant I've spent tens of thousands of the studios' money in their shops.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dredoms wrote:

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

I always wonder why a salesman is recommending a certain item: overstocked, sales contest, special incentive from the manufacturer? The D500 is a great DX camera, but have you considered FX? The D750 and coming-soon D850 would also be good choices.

Some comparison sites.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dredoms wrote:

For the D500 the local camera store price is around $1700 for just the body. On line I have seen prices in the $1449 range and one store that offers about 12 different upgrade packages with lenses, tripods, camera bags and multiple other goodies for just $350 +/- more. Any experience buying something this pricey online?

There are no such things as "sale prices" for cameras. The manufacturers control pricing. If you pay less, you get less.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Buy from a reputable store with US warranty and buy what you will use. You buy once if you buy good quality.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Dredoms wrote:

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

What is your budget, what are your interest, what lenses do you already have??

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Another of UHH members' favorite stores, KEH in Georgia, is offering two very gently used D500 models: one for $1,759 and the other (in "like new" condition) for $1,779. If the dealer that offered you multiple 'bundles' happens to be Cameta, they are also definitely on the 'approved' list as very reliable and offering great customer service and longer warrantees on used gear. /Ralph

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Dredoms wrote:

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

Love my D500. It handles more than my ability is capable of. Room to grow!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Dredoms wrote:

I have a 12-year old Nikon D200. I'm thinking of upgrading and local camera store is recommending Nikon D500. Any thoughts out there?

Great camera It is my Dx Model with the D810 the Fx model

cthahn

Why do you think you have to upgrade? Nothing wrong with a D200. I have one and two D100s and a D70. The camera store wants to sell something. They will help you make up your mind if you let them. You need a reason to update.

jjfried40

Nikon does not allow discounting its cameras. To gain a competitive edge many retailers offer "packages," to sweeten their deals.

Sometimes the packages are decent, sometimes, well, not.

Buy the camera alone, then research and buy other stuff you need piece by piece. You may wind up spending more, but in the long run you'll have the add-ons you use, rather than add-ones that get lost in the bottom of your camera bag.