Am I making a mistake?

Frodge wrote in post #16353188
Your should reread the op's last post. He says he doesn't need money for the wedding or for anything else.

Once again attention to detail is key. I said "would like extra money..." Anyways I'm done with your conversation this is not helping the OP. If you would like to continue this conversation please feel free to PM me.

If you buy used, you can essentially turn around your equipment for little to no loss. For example, I spent in the neighborhood of $4700 for my entire kit (in my sig). I am fairly certain I can sell all of it for less than 10% depreciation. A say $300 depreciation is nothing in my book - I can easily say that I have derived well over $300 of satisfaction and pleasure from it over the last year.

In my opinion, while it is good to reduce the rate of depreciation by buying used when possible (and when it can be done without loss of quality), depreciation is in itself not to be afraid of. The key is to make sure that the depreciation occurs on something that you can derive pleasure from on a regular basis, rather than something that is merely depreciating in a drawer in the closet.

If I were the OP, I would get rid of the kit if it is collecting dust and buy something that I would actually use regularly. Since he purchased most of equipment used, he could probably do this with a net out of pocket expenditure (I refuse to call it a loss) that is very reasonable and consistent with the pleasure it has given him over the time he has had the kit.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16353236
If you buy used, you can essentially turn around your equipment for little to no loss. For example, I spent in the neighborhood of $4700 for my entire kit (in my sig). I am fairly certain I can sell all of it for less than 10% depreciation. A say $300 depreciation is nothing in my book - I can easily say that I have derived well over $300 of satisfaction and pleasure from it over the last year.

In my opinion, while it is good to reduce the rate of depreciation by buying used when possible (and when it can be done without loss of quality), depreciation is in itself not to be afraid of. The key is to make sure that the depreciation occurs on something that you can derive pleasure from on a regular basis, rather than something that is merely depreciating in a drawer in the closet.

+1

That is what I did with the 1D4. I bought it from an individual back a few years ago for $3500. I sold it a couple years later for $3300. I figured $200 for 2-3 years of ownership a very good return on a depreciating asset.

You're basically selling one system and buying into another, if you're not really using your DSLR system at all don't buy into another one, you'll end up where you left off.

If you really want to untie some funds but still anticipate shooting family stuff and the occassional sporting event and just printing at Costco then get either a nice super-zoom or a nice P&S...sit down put on paper what your photography consist of 365 days and you'll get that P&S or super zoom.

Don't leave one DSLR system and run to another, you'll only end up where you left off.

I'm not starting to start any trouble, and I never do try to start trouble. My point is that ya impossible for the board to make a decision for the op. he has had a handful of cameras over the past couple of years. Do you feel comfortable having him sell and buying something on a whim. I've paid attention to detail, I would maybe sell all of it and not buy anything until I researched exactly what and If I needed a camera for at all.

OP asked for our opinion and we gave it.

This may be a contrarian opinion, but personally, I see no harm in selling your gear and getting something else if you are able to do so with a net out-of-pocket expenditure that is consistent with the pleasure you get from it. If you are smart about how you buy stuff, I think this is easily achievable. If you always insist on buying new, of course you are going to get soaked, but clearly the OP didn't do that.

Tastes change, available time changes, what was a good fit two years ago may not be a good fit today. For sure, one should not buy and sell on a whim, but it is equally senseless to agonize over a purchase trying to make sure it will give you a lifetime of pleasure, when it is a far better choice to get what you need today and turn it over when it is no longer a good fit.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16353268
OP asked for our opinion and we gave it.

This may be a contrarian opinion, but personally, I see no harm in selling your gear and getting something else if you are able to do so with a net out-of-pocket expenditure that is consistent with the pleasure you get from it. If you are smart about how you buy stuff, I think this is easily achievable. If you always insist on buying new, of course you are going to get soaked, but clearly the OP didn't do that.

Tastes change, available time changes, what was a good fit two years ago may not be a good fit today. For sure, one should not buy and sell on a whim, but it is equally senseless to agonize over a purchase trying to make sure it will give you a lifetime of pleasure, when it is a far better choice to get what you need today and turn it over when it is no longer a good fit.

I agree. But it seems as if the op doesn't need the money from the sale of the Nikon kit, yet wants to avoid depreciation while buying into another system, while at the same time having several other systems over the past couple of years. I feel uncomfortable telling him what to do wih unknown variables.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16353268
OP asked for our opinion and we gave it.

This may be a contrarian opinion, but personally, I see no harm in selling your gear and getting something else if you are able to do so with a net out-of-pocket expenditure that is consistent with the pleasure you get from it. If you are smart about how you buy stuff, I think this is easily achievable. If you always insist on buying new, of course you are going to get soaked, but clearly the OP didn't do that.

Tastes change, available time changes, what was a good fit two years ago may not be a good fit today. For sure, one should not buy and sell on a whim, but it is equally senseless to agonize over a purchase trying to make sure it will give you a lifetime of pleasure, when it is a far better choice to get what you need today and turn it over when it is no longer a good fit.

Agreed

In the past 3 years, I have owned, at different times, 4 7Ds, 3 5D2s, a 1D3 and 1D4, and probably some other bodies I have since forgotten about. I now own what I have in my signature. Being very diligent about my purchases, I have either netted a loss of $0, or in all reality have a profit. If something is unused for more than 5-6 months, I sell it. If I need it later, I can get it for less money.