My bad experience buying a used camera..

[Sam Xr]

Hi guys..im sharing with u a story of how I got cheated..its my side of the story though but still I strongly felt cheated..

I bought a used Nikon D600 from a guy here about 2weeks ago.. meet him, tested out the camera with a tokina 16-28mm and everything was fine..

But when I reach home, I tried out my 50mm D lens and there was an FE error..after locking the aperture ring, there was still the same error..

So I went to nikon centre to check it out..turns out there was a default on the cameras body plate.. the camera may have been dropped before as told by the customer service officer..

Went to a couple of camera repair shop..all said the same thing that the camera may have fell before..

So I texted the previous owner to demand a refund..had an argument..but ultimately, he said," when u tested, there was no problem with the camera right? so when u go home and the camera is spoilt, not my problem already because u may have damage it yourself."

Yeah..so the argument ended there..in a way, it was my own fault too because I stupidly did not bring another lens to test it out..specifically the D lens..

My advice to u guys if u want to buy a used camera..bring a D and G lens to test it out..or better, to go to a camera shop test it out before buying it..

I still cant get my money back till today though..lesson learnt..

Thanks for taking your time reading.. Appreciate it..

 

[edutilos-]

Is it still working with the 16-28?

To be fair, he does have a point, he may not even know that it didn't work with D lens or whatever. And keeping an open mind, it's really his word against yours.

Just to note, doing a quick search reveals that others also have had problems with their D600 communicating with D lenses. I'm not exactly sure what the people you've talked to said, but the two issues may or may not be related, since FE error seems to be a lens communication problem with the camera, even if the camera is dropped, it is not a necessary result that you will get FE error (it depends on how bad the drop is). It may even be your lens problem, are there other lenses you have tried out on the body?

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00cEeH

Cheers.

 

[edutilos-]

Sharing more links.

You can try out some of the stuff people suggest in there, like cleaning the lens/camera body contacts. Especially if the D600 is still working with other lenses, it may just be a "lack of chemistry" between the combination, as mentioned earlier, possibly nothing to do with the drop. The D7000 seems to have some problem with the lens you mention.

I'm assuming that you're sore about the lack of working between D lens and D600, if it is about being dropped, it's hard to say who dropped it. What is clear is that there is something on the body plate, it could have been caused before or after the transaction.

The fact of life is, when you deal second hand, you are always taking a risk. If you are not happy about getting a negative outcome, do remember that you got away with some savings from getting it brand new, the price difference can be seen as a payment for additional "insurance" for such sort of defect, where you can go back to shop or bring to Nikon to service. If not, no one will ever buy new.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3135841#forum-post-40453577
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2959034
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3135841
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1486541#forum-post-16662190

 

[fatigue]

My advice to u guys if u want to buy a used camera..bring a D and G lens to test it out..or better, to go to a camera shop test it out before buying it..

If you don't have an AF-D lens, another method is to go to "Non CPU lens" menu. Set to any lens. For example: 50mm F1.2
In manual mode, you should see an F1.2 reading on the top LCD without any lens on
As you gently turn the EE coupling ring, the display should increase to F1.4, F1. 8. F2.0 and so on

Usually, the suspected damaged part is called F-F0 plate.

 

[edutilos-]

If you don't have an AF-D lens, another method is to go to "Non CPU lens" menu. Set to any lens. For example: 50mm F1.2
In manual mode, you should see an F1.2 reading on the top LCD without any lens on
As you gently turn the EE coupling ring, the display should increase to F1.4, F1. 8. F2.0 and so on

Usually, the suspected damaged part is called F-F0 plate.

You can help him fix it, I'm sure. :bsmilie: :devil: :thumbsup:

 

[Sam Xr]

Yes..its still working with the 16-28..

Yes hes does have a point..thats why the argument ends there..my fault because I did not check the camera thoroughly. Then again, the feeling of being cheated sucks..haha..

Thanks for the input edutilos..

 

[Sam Xr]

Ok..thanks..I will try it..

 

[edutilos-]

Yes..its still working with the 16-28..

Yes hes does have a point..thats why the argument ends there..my fault because I did not check the camera thoroughly. Then again, the feeling of being cheated sucks..haha..

Thanks for the input edutilos..

You can PM fatigue, not sure if you know but he's the resident camera/lens guru.. Might be cheaper than having it done at the service centre. :thumbsup:

 

[fatigue]

You can help him fix it, I'm sure. :bsmilie: :devil: :thumbsup:

Thanks

In some cases, the cause is due to dirt or rust after the camera was exposed to rain. No worries, it can be cleaned easily.

The problem is when the part needs replacement. Different models have different F-F0 plate.
Some are avaialble online, some are not

 

[shierwin]

Ok..thanks..I will try it..

Arrange to meet up with fatigue and let him take a look. Bring the lenses you have to let him test out.

 

[Blur Shadow]

There is always a risk when purchasing 2nd hand items. In this case, it's bo bian. Just get it fixed if it bothers you. Or maybe just use G lenses? There is a good range of them.

 

[silencer13]

How long after the transaction did you text the seller to say that there was a problem?
Was it days? Weeks?

I must agree that buying 2nd-hand has it's risks, but usually when people sell such electronics stuff, they should at least provide some kind of "personal warranty" at least for the first few days.
Not all problems can be discovered on the spot, so it's unfair to say that if you did not spot the problem during the transaction then it's your own problem already.

So yeah, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel cheated - not because the item is not working perfectly, but because the seller refuses to take any responsibility.

 

[edutilos-]

How long after the transaction did you text the seller to say that there was a problem?
Was it days? Weeks?

I must agree that buying 2nd-hand has it's risks, but usually when people sell such electronics stuff, they should at least provide some kind of "personal warranty" at least for the first few days.
Not all problems can be discovered on the spot, so it's unfair to say that if you did not spot the problem during the transaction then it's your own problem already.

So yeah, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel cheated - not because the item is not working perfectly, but because the seller refuses to take any responsibility.

Yes, but damage caused by drops are very subjective. Things that can't develop in a short span of time (e.g. fungus or seawater corrosion), I think the seller should take responsibility.. It's not as if anyone can make fungus magically multiply aggressively in 2 or 3 days or make the seawater corrosion accelerate quickly. A drop takes a second.

Not referring to TS, but I'm sure you can imagine a case where Buyer A takes a camera that is in perfect condition, kicks it around, and then tells the seller that it has developed a fault and wants a refund. Do note that Buyer A can say anything he wants... Such as "I didn't check thoroughly at the point of transaction". Hence from any bystander's POV, any such argument is Buyer A's word against the seller's.

 

[keithwee]

Think edutilos and fatigue have given great advice.

It's to be fair to both sides in a way that if there's any dispute, it should be probably clarified on the day itself or day after. That's the thing about buying 2nd hand and reason why if I do buy bodies , I tend to pick with warranty sets.

That said. Do contact bro Fatigue for repair help, I'm sure he will be able to settle the issue for u.

All the best bro. I know u are feeling a bit sad , but move on.

 

[fatigue]

I actually received the camera even before TS posted this thread. I didn't know it was him.

A quick check on the camera will tell you something is not right

 

[fatigue]

The F-F0 plate is the white part located on top of the mount





The defect: a hairline crack

 

[edutilos-]

Do you have to fix the lever that's out of place too?

 

[Sam Xr]

How long after the transaction did you text the seller to say that there was a problem?
Was it days? Weeks?

I must agree that buying 2nd-hand has it's risks, but usually when people sell such electronics stuff, they should at least provide some kind of "personal warranty" at least for the first few days.
Not all problems can be discovered on the spot, so it's unfair to say that if you did not spot the problem during the transaction then it's your own problem already.

So yeah, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel cheated - not because the item is not working perfectly, but because the seller refuses to take any responsibility.

I texted him like 2 hours after the transaction when I reach home to tell him I cannot use my D lens..then he said ," not my problem because when you check got no problem..then u go home check got problem..so not my problem."

Yes exactly I felt cheated because he dont wanna take responsibility..I also cannot do anything now..lesson learnt..

 

[eleveninth]

I texted him like 2 hours after the transaction when I reach home to tell him I cannot use my D lens..then he said ," not my problem because when you check got no problem..then u go home check got problem..so not my problem."

Yes exactly I felt cheated because he dont wanna take responsibility..I also cannot do anything now..lesson learnt..

whats his nick?

 

[shierwin]

whats his nick?

+1 please attach his nick to this thread.