Refurbished camera equipment: I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are...

John Dwyer

I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are they as good as new if refurbished by manufacturer? Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, that might help me make a decision

MtnMan Loc: ID

John Dwyer wrote:

I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are they as good as new if refurbished by manufacturer? Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, that might help me make a decision

As far as Nikon refurbs go my opinion is that they are better than new. I have purchased three refurbs and they come like new with everything and have been serviced individually by a Nikon tech. They have had any early failures.

The only shortcoming, although I've never had to use warranty on a Nikon product, is that you only get a 90-day warranty on refurbs. But if you get from places like Cameta you can get their one-year warranty added for free; or about $8 from Adorama.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I would not hesitate to purchase refurb camera gear from Canon. I bought a 50D a few years ago and it arrived in the box as new with all accessories.
It has performed flawlessly over the years and still works great.

Canon Direct now offers a one year warranty and free shipping on refurbs.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'll 4th that! :lol:
SS

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

5th for me

I just got a refurb'd D610 kit from Cameta and am very pleased with it -

fdoyle3 Loc: Glenolden Pa.

I have a Canon refurbished G15 couldn't be better!

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

My vote is for REFURB. As good as NEW.!!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

John Dwyer wrote:

I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are they as good as new if refurbished by manufacturer? Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, that might help me make a decision

I look for refurbs first and only buy new if what I want isn't available refurbished. I've bought camera bodies and lenses that way.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

John Dwyer wrote:

I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are they as good as new if refurbished by manufacturer? Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, that might help me make a decision

They could be but not necessarily. It depend on what was refurbished. Its not economically feasible to replace and adjust beyond a certain point.

There would need to be a huge price break for me to consider refurbished.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

John Dwyer wrote:

I am interested in upgrading my camera and lenses. In my search, I have found deals on some Nikon equipment that sound very favorable. My question is, are they as good as new if refurbished by manufacturer? Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, that might help me make a decision

Refurbs actually get tested better than the ones rolling off of the assembly line. My D5000 was purchased this way and worked great until a (previously documented) flight to Anaheim. I would certainly do it again.

Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI

Everyone commenting above is right on the mark. Go refurb.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Mike D. wrote:

Refurbs actually get tested better than the ones rolling off of the assembly line. My D5000 was purchased this way and worked great until a (previously documented) flight to Anaheim. I would certainly do it again.

A test changes nothing on a product if its done appropriately, otherwise it is detrimental.

A well made product may not require testing at all.

bibsthecat Loc: Cold Spring MN

I was just wandering about the shutter count on a refurb. Even if it works flawlessly, the shutter might be well on it's way to failing. It would be nice to know the shutter count on a refurb before bying.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

joer wrote:

A test changes nothing on a product if its done appropriately, otherwise it is detrimental.

A well made product may not require testing at all.

Basically I would tend to agree but then we have the D600 fiasco. Spit, as they say, happens and functionality HAS to be tested to be called refurbished. Who in their right mind would want to buy a returned product that had not been checked out.

Then there is the idea that you should never buy a car that was made on a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon. We trust the things we buy to be built well but it doesn't happen 100% of the time or return policies would't be necessary.

The OP asked for advice on refurbs, I think the question was covered pretty well.

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

As much as I love Nikon equipment, I personally would not trust them on refurbs. I had an issue with a D3 body when they could not fix my current D3 that had just recently had a shutter replaced under warranty, they then gave me a refurb with 30k clicks. That camera body was always the least used of the 6 bodies I owned bc of continuing focus issues.
I sent it back another time and they never really fixed it.
I just gave up and let it go.
Lately, Nikon seems to be in love with the phrase "Impact damage" to get out of a warranty.
You really have to stand your ground and rattle their cage just to get things right.
This comes from a professional sports photographers perspective as I can assure you that others in my line of work have experienced the same such stories.
BTW, Canon has similar issues as well.