1DS MK3 - deal too good to be true?

Hi guys,

I am going back to Canon, this time to a FF body. I have located a 1DS MK3 for $1700 for sale locally. The shutter count is approx 30K as per the seller. I met the seller personally and checked out the camera. The body seems to be in great condition and it was working as it was supposed to. The seller brought along some pricey L glass and a 5DMKII body, and he seemed to be one of those must have the newest type of guys. I haven't spent this much on a used body before so I am trying to be cautious. BTW I have bought and sold few grand worth of photographic equipment over the past few years so I consider myself to be fairly competent at gauging the price and performance of the equipment but this is the first time I am spending this kind of money. I have bought and sold 5 sub-$1000 DSLRs in the last 2 years (I know, a bit excessive but I can't turn down a deal and I like to try equipment first-hand rather than rely on reviews).

Just wanted to check in with you guys before I pull the trigger. Is there anything else I should check? Thanks a lot for your help.

Try looking at the strap attachments. Besides shutter count and body scratches, looking to see if the metal pieces that the strap attach to have been worn (paint gone, etc..) can be a great method of determining use.

good luck,
BB

Make sure he didn't glue an 's' on it!

If he owns a 5d2 and L glass.. He KNOWS what he can get for a 1Ds.

That is about the going rate for a 1DsII around here and half what I see iDsIII going for. I sold a 30K actuation 1DsII for $1700.00 myself.

BirdBoy wrote in post #12960376
Try looking at the strap attachments. Besides shutter count and body scratches, looking to see if the metal pieces that the strap attach to have been worn (paint gone, etc..) can be a great method of determining use.

good luck,
BB

Until you come across someone like me who doesn't use straps of any kind.

When you do check the area of the shutter button, grip, and other frequently used controls.

did you try shooting at high shutter speeds too?

Sure. Copy down the serial # and check to see if it's stolen. If the seller walks around w/ a 5D2... one can assume he knows what these camera are worth. Why anyone would let a 1ds3 go for only $1700 is beyond me.

The price is really throwing me off too and making this decision really tough. I did take note of the serial number and it appears to be clean so far from the sources I have checked. it would have made sense if there were signs of heavy usage but it appeared to be used fairly well. I spent about 15-20 min examining the camera and it seemed fine. After doing some searching on the internet, I am wondering if it could be a counterfeit - as crazy as it sounds. The internet does make you paranoid.

On the other hand I can go the safer route and buy a mint 5DC with grip for $1200. I have a shoot this weekend and a job next week where I have to impress, so I am in a bit of a rush - worst situation to be in when you are making a big ticket purchase.

tonythebullet wrote in post #12962739
The price is really throwing me off too and making this decision really tough. I did take note of the serial number and it appears to be clean so far from the sources I have checked. it would have made sense if there were signs of heavy usage but it appeared to be used fairly well. I spent about 15-20 min examining the camera and it seemed fine. After doing some searching on the internet, I am wondering if it could be a counterfeit - as crazy as it sounds. The internet does make you paranoid.

On the other hand I can go the safer route and buy a mint 5DC with grip for $1200. I have a shoot this weekend and a job next week where I have to impress, so I am in a bit of a rush - worst situation to be in when you are making a big ticket purchase.

*I* would pass on it. Only time I would find such a deal acceptable is if it's passed down from a family member or very close friend as a favor. Otherwise (especially from strangers), I get suspicious of the origin. Even if the seller produces a legitimate purchase receipt, I'd still question the seller and likely smack him on the side of the head (because then I'd feel like I'm taking advantage of the poor guy).

But that's just me. If the camera is of suspicious origin... I have to wonder which poor soul got the short end of that stick. And I'd rather not contribute to that knowingly.

The fact that you signed up to an online forum specifically to ask about this "deal" tells me you're already suspicious yourself. If you weren't, you would have bought it, sold it, and take the extra cash and invest in a new camera or a vacation to the Bahamas. So what is your conscience trying to tell you that you're trying so hard to ignore?

Definitely agree with you. I will go with my gut feeling and go the safer route. I really appreciate everyone's input.

I'll see you guys in the 5DC thread in the near future

5Dc is great. You'll love it.

BirdBoy wrote in post #12960376
Try looking at the strap attachments. Besides shutter count and body scratches, looking to see if the metal pieces that the strap attach to have been worn (paint gone, etc..) can be a great method of determining use.

good luck,
BB

I bought a used 1DsII & the ONLY wear it had was where the strap attach & the paint was all but gone...I sent it to canon & it only had 39k actuations ...

jwcdds wrote in post #12961494
Sure. Copy down the serial # and check to see if it's stolen. If the seller walks around w/ a 5D2... one can assume he knows what these camera are worth. Why anyone would let a 1ds3 go for only $1700 is beyond me.

needs money & wants quick sale...I know I'vw had times when I needed fast cash & have let high dollar guitars go for half what they were worth...he says he checked serial number to see if it was stolen... shoot I'd jump on it!

I may have jumped on that deal.. Even after a trip for a clean, lube and checkout at Canon, you still have a great deal. I don't see a downside here.

dzaneh wrote in post #12963921
needs money & wants quick sale...I know I'vw had times when I needed fast cash & have let high dollar guitars go for half what they were worth...he says he checked serial number to see if it was stolen... shoot I'd jump on it!

These things usually go for ~$4,000. Even if he needed money and wanted quick sale, pricing it at $3500 would = sold-in-no-time. Why is he selling for half than what he could otherwise easily get? My gut tells me someone is getting screwed, and it's not the seller.