Selling 5D Question

I recently bit the bullet and picked up a new 6D and am thinking about selling my old 5D. The issue here is kind of an ethical one in my book. I am the third owner of the 5D and it works well but it does have dust in the mirror box and a small spot on the sensor that I can't seem to clean off. Still takes pretty darn good photos. I don't really want to spend the money to have it professionally cleaned and no guarantee that they can do any better. Guess my question is, what should I ask for the camera or should I even try to sell it. I was thinking about putting it on CraigsList with a full disclosure about the dust issue/sensor spot issue and/or possibly see if anyone might be interested in a possible trade for an EF prime lens, or something along those lines.

Just curious as to what the wise sages here might think or suggest. I don't need to keep it for a back up as I have a 70D as well.

Appreciate any and all responses, suggestions, ideas, etc. in advance.

Well, I'm a 5DC owner, and there is some special attachment there...

A big question would be how "serious" and how "permanent" are the defects?

It sounds like with your camera both could be very easily addressed, either with a DIY approach or, if you don't have the confidence or physical dexterity to clean your sensor and/or your focus screen, taking it to a shop who can do a quick cleaning for a reasonable price (or Canon Service, who may be more spendy)...

So, let's say you spend $100-150 for some cleaning...that could make a difference in selling it to someone without "disclosures"...

Unfortunately, with my camera I had a not-good experience...the camera came back from Canon Service from having the "lens fall-off" thing fixed a few years ago, but the problem was that the sensor was covered with dust!

Rather than just shipping it back, I figured "hey I've done plenty of sensor cleaning", so I grabbed my Eclipse and my swab and went to work...

Unfortunately I didn't have the physical dexterity needed for the job, and the sensor came out with some permanent "swab marks", not removable...

With the problem and the cost of replacement gear, I didn't feel that it would be to my advantage to peddle it with the disclosure...

Heya,

Either keep it, or sell it. Simple. If you keep it, you won't use it, as you kind of seem to favor the other cameras now. No biggie. So sell it. If you sell it, do full disclosure of everything and price appropriately. The 5D loses support this year, in a few more months (September?). So no more fixes, repairs, etc. That's a big deal because it will mean 5D's are less worth the money since they cannot be repaired at the end of this year, and then never again. Add the defects in there.

Sell for $350~400 and someone will likely buy it up fast, get it serviced, and keep it another solid 5+ years.

Very best,

Unless you really need the $300 or so this is worth, consider donating it to a High School/Community College art department. Or give it to a junior family member who has shown an interest in photography. Your contribution may be tax deductible. Even if its not, it will make at you feel better.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17617929
Heya,

Either keep it, or sell it. Simple. If you keep it, you won't use it, as you kind of seem to favor the other cameras now. No biggie. So sell it. If you sell it, do full disclosure of everything and price appropriately. The 5D loses support this year, in a few more months (September?). So no more fixes, repairs, etc. That's a big deal because it will mean 5D's are less worth the money since they cannot be repaired at the end of this year, and then never again. Add the defects in there.

Sell for $350~400 and someone will likely buy it up fast, get it serviced, and keep it another solid 5+ years.

Very best,

Just a fine point here, if you please. Just because Canon will no longer service the camera, does not mean you can't get it fixed, should the need arise. Cameras, like cars, do not NEED to be serviced by the manufacturer.

Darn! I just got a 5D Mark III and putting up my 6D for sale.

Have fun with your new toy!

I am in a similar position as you, but my 5Dc's problem is more serious. My 5Dc has some type of electronic issue. It can still take a picture, but it's just "all messed up". The LCD blinks on for a split second, then goes black. The AF confirm doesn't work at all. The top LCD shows garbled fragments of letters and numbers instead of the settings it is supposed to show. Other similar issues, too, that I have forgotten the specifics of. Like I said, I have figured out how to take a picture with it, but it is a difficult task.

Anyway, I wouldn't think of selling it here on POTN. Why? Because potential buyers would bombard me with all kinds of questions. I would have to constantly be going back to the camera and checking to see if it does this or doesn't do that, then report back to the potential buyer with my findings. Heck, someone might even want a shutter count, then I'd have to waste an hour trying to figure out how to get that info. No, I have no interest in spending any of my time answering such questions.

The perfect place to sell such a camera is eBay. You make it real clear that the camera has problems, but can still take a picture. Put the problems right in the title (or subtitle). And make sure that you make it very clear that it is an "as is" sale and no returns will be accepted for any reason. Then let buyers bid away. It is unlikely that you will have to answer a single question. And it will definitely sell, and probably for more than you think.