What to look/check/test for in a used camera?

[kmarketing]

Hi,

I just received my used nikon d60 (bought in May 2008). I have a small grace period to check everything out. This is my first dslr, and am definitely new to this world. I have so much to learn!

What should I be testing to make sure everything is in good condition?

Thanks!

 

[ChrisA]

Hi,

I just received my used nikon d60 (bought in May 2008). I have a small grace period to check everything out. This is my first dslr, and am definitely new to this world. I have so much to learn!

What should I be testing to make sure everything is in good condition?

Thanks!

Mostly it will either work or it will not. If you can snap a picture and then get it into your computer then chances are very good nothing is wrong with the camera. After that...

1) cusmetic bumps and scrathes? Is it in the condidtion you paid for?
2) Shoot a few exposures using a range of shutter speeds
3) Shoot the blank sky. Do both a 2ev under and over exposure. Look at both frames at 100% or 200% and look for stuck pixels that are either bright or dark.
4) Overall condidtion. Dusk and scratch on/inside lens.
5) Do all the buttons work?
6) do filters thread on and off the lens's filter ring (they won't if the ring is dented even a small amount.
7) the battery should hold a charge and do at least 1,000 shots maybe double that.

But mostly these either work or they are dead.

 

[cube]

One thing you should have done before buying the camera is to ask about the number of shutter actuations. This can be checked on Nikon by taking a picture and looking at its EXIF data.

 

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Thank you for your help!

How can I check for the number of shutter actuations. Is it in the camera menu somewhere?

Thanks!

 

[cube]

^^

You have to use an EXIF viewer program in the computer or online, or some other photo software with this feature.

 

[kmarketing]

Any recommendations? I've seen some for pc, how about for macs?

Thank you!

 

[cube]

http://regex.info/exif.cgi

 

[kmarketing]

http://regex.info/exif.cgi

Hi,

I just tried a picture with that site, and it gives me some info, but what exactly am I looking for? I don't see anything that specifically says "shutter actuations."

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Hi,

I just tried a picture with that site, and it gives me some info, but what exactly am I looking for? I don't see anything that specifically says "shutter actuations."

No need for that. Just take a JPG with the camera, download it to your computer, open in Preview, press apple+I (inspector) and click "Nikon" (the middle tab) and it should show you.

 

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Worked great, thanks!

It says shutter count 2471. Is that okay for a used d60? I do have the original receipt which hopefully should be good for the warranty if necessary.

Anything else I should look for?

Thanks!

 

[Phrasikleia]

It says shutter count 2471. Is that okay for a used d60?

That's quite low. You scored.

No need for that. Just take a JPG with the camera, download it to your computer, open in Preview, press apple+I (inspector) and click "Nikon" (the middle tab) and it should show you.

Does this feature only apply to Nikon photos? I'm not finding anything about shutter actuations for my Canon shots.

 

[cube]

I said this was the Nikon method. Canon is disorganized in this respect.