Hi, my name is Carrie and I'm looking to upgrade from my Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-10 to a Nikon D70. I have a Nikon 35mm already (rarely use it anymore) and am partial to the brand.

I travel quite a bit and my favorite destination is Alaska. I went in June and was disappointed in my outdated Panasonic camera which has since developed a mold growing inside the lens. Instead of spending the money to have it cleaned, I'd rather put it towards a new, more challenging camera.

I'm particularly interested in pet portraits, especially of newborn puppies...we are expecting some in late Jan/early Feb. I'm not sure what lens would be appropriate, I've heard a 50mm is good for indoor shots. I'm determined to learn about photography.

My question is this...what do you think of a camera that was a display/model that is sold at a reduced price, but that comes with a warranty and guarantee to be in perfect working order? It was not previously owned or used, just on display. Is it better to just go brand new?

I'll try to post a picture I took of my cocker spaniel in the pet portraits section. Photography has been a hobby of mine for a while now, but I have little training and am very green when it comes to the mechanics of it all. I took a class once, years ago and plan to take another one this coming spring.

Looking forward to chatting about photography with everyone!

Thanks,
Carrie

"My question is this...what do you think of a camera that was a display/model that is sold at a reduced price, but that comes with a warranty and guarantee to be in perfect working order? It was not previously owned or used, just on display. Is it better to just go brand new?"

I think the question is how reduced is the price? I would be leery to ever use a display model, only because of how mangled they get - and when I mean mangled, I am not just talking about the outside of the camera.

-JM

Hi Carrie,

I had always been a bit of an equipment snob, and would never have considered buying anything that had been touched by someone else. But now I think that I can put the money I save towards something else. As long as you go along with "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) and push for an extended warranty you can get some great savings.

For example I bought a megavision back for my hasselblad a few years ago - it cost over £15000 and although it did a good job it was quickly passed by a Canon digital SLR.

Now its gathering dust - its old technology and no one wants it. But it doesn't mean it wont take a good picture. Another example is a fuji digital compact; the f10 has just been made redundant by the f11 being released - that doesn't make the f10 a bad camera so you will be able to get them cheaper if you look around.

Try and take someone along who knows about cameras before you buy it and the minute you get it home get it set up and just shoot anything on every setting possible so if it starts to behave oddly you can take it back to the shop and get a refund.

Hi, thanks for your replies. It's a "USA Nikon Factory Demo" and it comes with a one year guarantee and is stated to be in perfect working order, tested at the factory. The price is $879.95 and that includes the camera body, an 18-70mm Nikon lens, a Nikon carry bag and all the regular things like battery, charger, etc. that come with one purchased brand new. I have to say, I'm a bit leery now, even if it is a good price. I suppose I'd be better off in the long run buying brand new.

Just wondering how I might place a watermark on my photos? I have paint shop pro 8, but am not sure how to do that and of course I can't find the manual.

Now to figure out how to post pics :-)

Thanks again,
Carrie

I think that refurbished is a different thing if that is what this is being called but I am not sure. What makes a factory demo different from something that has gone back to the HQ to be repaired and retested? Also, what is the price differential between this and a new in box Nikon D70s?

Lou

I don't know about the factory demo model. I finally decided to go buy the Nikon D70s at the big chain electronics store, I just couldn't wait. It wasn't badly priced and was lower than some places I've seen on the web.

Do you think the extended protection plan...replaces batteries once a year, they will completely clean the camera (insides too) once a year, repair work, yada yada. It's $150 for four years. I didn't purchase it, but if I want it, I can return tomorrow and add it.

Thanks again,
Carrie

My general impression is that extended warranties are made for the sole purpose of making the company money. However, I have broken one of my SLRs before - cost me 350 to repair it (I dropped it out of my bag after a wedding I was shooting ended...pretty stupid, right?). The question you need to ask is - would it be much cheaper to just get a rider on your insurance policy?

On the negative side, you won't get the cleaning and replacement batteries, but my guess is that you do not need to replace NIMH batteries every 12 months. I still have batteries that go back five years to my D30(though admittedly I am now beginning to see a noticable drop in charge in them).

Good luck with your new camera!! I hope that we will see some new pet photography shots from you soon.

-JM

Congrats on the D70s. It is a wonderful camera and quite capable. I cut my teeth on one as well. Just be aware of Nikons basic curve of protecting the highlights and make 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop adjustment if you find your shots often coming back a little dark.

Read the manual....and play with each feature over the next few months....one of my favorite things to do is pick a portion of the equipments system...(like White balance for instance) and play with it over the next week paying special attention to the controls and how they work.

Then once you feel you have grasped that bite sized chunk....move on to the focus system...etc.

Soon you will know the camera inside out....you will have spent a lot of fun time with your camera as well....and the film is free.

Good luck and if you ever need some help....just ask.

Roman

Thank you both. I'm sure I will have many questions to come!

That sounds like a Cameta ad. If it comes from Cameta camera, I would feel fairly confident about it. I bought my camera as a factory demo from them(and olympus E-1) and have had no trouble with it over 10k shots.

I know alot of people with the D70 and they love it