2nd hand 5d mark 1

Gozo

Hi,

Do you think its a good/bad idea going second hand?

any advice when purchasing 2nd hand cameras? questions to ask / things to check for.

would you normally take test shots and check them out at home first?

i'm not sure its the best idea but a new 5D is a bit out of my price range at the moment

thanks,

Ricky91t

Get as low shutter count as you can!I know the shutter may be rated for 50,000 and you might only get 10,000 but whats the point of buying a camera just for €100 cheaper or something with the chance it might pop up with err-99 tomorrow while shooting a gig.My two used cameras i've got were spur of the moment kinda things,but when i have enough money for a good sports body i will be inspecting before hand and checking the shutter count myself

Cameraman

Ricky91t wrote: »

checking the shutter count myself

Unfortunately, the 5D is one where you can't check the shutter count.

Ricky91t

Cameraman wrote: »

Unfortunately, the 5D is one where you can't check the shutter count.

Not even using a hex editor thingy and a raw file?

Cameraman

Ricky91t wrote: »

Not even using a hex editor thingy and a raw file?

The file count resets at 9999 and can also be reset manually.

With some cameras they keep a running total somewhere internally, but not the 5D. I've done a lot of Googling about this, but the consensus seems to be there's no way to get the overall count.

Incidentally, the 5D Mk I has a rated shutter count of 100,000.

Ricky91t

Cameraman wrote: »

The file count resets at 9999 and can also be reset manually.

With some cameras they keep a running total somewhere internally, but not the 5D. I've done a lot of Googling about this, but the consensus seems to be there's no way to get the overall count.

Incidentally, the 5D Mk I has a rated shutter count of 100,000.

Ah ok then,just assumed it would be like other canon's

ThOnda

I have bought second hand 5D Mk1 and I have got lots of joy with it. And I have already turned over the picture count (surprise).
I can only recommend that camera, but it depends on the seller and how they used/handled the camera.
On the other hand, you could haggle the price and get some stuff with the camera (memory cards, batteries and a lens in my case).

Gozo

Thanks for the replies,

i also had a look at the thread 5D or 50D which was posted at the weekend
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055494365

for me i would go for the 5D as indoor / lowlight performance is where i need the improvement.

shops are selling second hand 5D for 1300 - this seems like a lot, but at least there is some gaurantee buying from a shop, is it still too much?

just to go back to an issue mentioned in the thread above, is dust a big problem? would one of those rocket blowers sort it out?

Cameraman

The 5D is a great camera - you won't regret buying one - as long as you get it at the right price.

Obviously with a shop, you will get some form of guarantee, but I think you will get one for less buying privately. I have just started researching prices myself, but the going rate seems to be in the 900-1100 range.

Dust is not really such a big problem, unless you regularly change lenses or use the camera in very dusty areas. The rocket blower handles 99% of the dust. I have only had to use wet cleaning (copperhill method) twice in a few years.

Borderfox

Also factor in some good glass with the 5d as it doesnt tolerate bad glass on such a large frame. Other than that you will really enjoy it.

Covey

Cameraman wrote: »

I have just started researching prices myself, but the going rate seems to be in the 900-1100 range.

Bang on I would say. You 'd need to be getting more than the body for 1100 though.

ThOnda

I got 5D, three batteries, two memory cards and nifty-fifty for 1k1.
The guaranty would be useful too.