After much consideration I decided to buy the K20D

NothingInCommon · 05-24-2009, 11:18 AM

I was going to go all out and spend the money on the k-7, but I figured since Im a beginner the K20D would serve me just fine. Since new ones can be found for about $670, I thought I might get lucky and find a used one for under $500.

Is there an easy way to tell the shutter actuations? can this number be altered with a hack or something? After what count would you say you should consider not buying a used DSLR?

cheers

KFrog · 05-24-2009, 01:44 PM

If the difference between a new K20D and a used one is $500 or $670 you might just as well go for the new one in my opinion.

heatherslightbox · 05-24-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by NothingInCommon

I was going to go all out and spend the money on the k-7, but I figured since Im a beginner the K20D would serve me just fine. Since new ones can be found for about $670, I thought I might get lucky and find a used one for under $500.

Is there an easy way to tell the shutter actuations? can this number be altered with a hack or something? After what count would you say you should consider not buying a used DSLR?

cheers

Smart move on the choice of the K20. Since it's running about half the price of the preorder K7, then that means more money towards building a quality lens collection.

Buying used is usually a safe bet, provided that your seller is a trusted one. My top choices for buying used gear are the Marketplace here and shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=889257&u=523490&m=66875&urllink=keh.com. With the Marketplace, you have the advantage of a smaller community of users (unlike Fleabay), meaning greater accountability, as well as the ability to view a potential user's feedback ratings and comments. Most people price their gear reasonably and are also willing to bargain, meaning an even better deal for you.

Just in case you aren't aware of KEH, they're a camera dealer of both new and (mostly) used gear based in Atlanta. I have dealt with them several times. Their service is excellent (both ordering and returns) and the condition ratings that they put on their gear are accurate, if not a bit conservative.

As far as shutter actuations, you can look at them like you would the number of miles on a car's odometer. The camera with less shutter clicks will naturally cost more than one with more clicks. Most people that have been around here for any length of time will often include the actual or approximate number of clicks in their listing when they advertise a body for sale. To determine the actual number of clicks, there's a program called PhotoMe that can do the job.

BTW, with a less than $200 difference between a new K20 and a used one, I would advise you to go with the new one, as you'll get the warranty that will cover any functional issues that might come up within the first year.

HTH,
Heather

kenhreed · 05-24-2009, 04:15 PM

As a prospective buyer of a k20d, I'd also lean towards new vs. used. If you buy from a Pentax dealer, they've extended the warranty to three years instead of one.
See below...

"And those of you who have purchased already, or are planning to purchase a Pentax K20D from an authorized USA dealer, you get a total three-year warranty (one year standard plus two years extended) included with your purchase. The typical warranty is one year. The extended warranty promotion ends on July 31st, 2009."

Pentax K20D at $670 (and three year warranty included) at Camera Deals

NothingInCommon · 05-26-2009, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by kenhreed

As a prospective buyer of a k20d, I'd also lean towards new vs. used. If you buy from a Pentax dealer, they've extended the warranty to three years instead of one.
See below...

"And those of you who have purchased already, or are planning to purchase a Pentax K20D from an authorized USA dealer, you get a total three-year warranty (one year standard plus two years extended) included with your purchase. The typical warranty is one year. The extended warranty promotion ends on July 31st, 2009."

Pentax K20D at $670 (and three year warranty included) at Camera Deals

after the camera I was looking at on ebay fetched over $600 with shipping I realized that its pointless to go used ... you make a very strong point, I forgot about that warranty deal.

**Ash** · 05-26-2009, 06:27 PM

Or buying used from a reputable dealer (KEH, Adorama, B&W) is just as good.

GerryL · 05-27-2009, 10:16 AM

..or factory refurbished if there are any.
They would have the price of a "used" one but the warrranty of a "brand new" one.

05-24-2009, 11:18 AM	#1
NothingInCommon Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 60	After much consideration I decided to buy the K20D I was going to go all out and spend the money on the k-7, but I figured since Im a beginner the K20D would serve me just fine. Since new ones can be found for about $670, I thought I might get lucky and find a used one for under $500. Is there an easy way to tell the shutter actuations? can this number be altered with a hack or something? After what count would you say you should consider not buying a used DSLR? cheers

05-24-2009, 04:15 PM	#4
kenhreed Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sacramento Photos: Albums Posts: 131	New or used? 3 year warranty As a prospective buyer of a k20d, I'd also lean towards new vs. used. If you buy from a Pentax dealer, they've extended the warranty to three years instead of one. See below... "And those of you who have purchased already, or are planning to purchase a Pentax K20D from an authorized USA dealer, you get a total three-year warranty (one year standard plus two years extended) included with your purchase. The typical warranty is one year. The extended warranty promotion ends on July 31st, 2009." Pentax K20D at $670 (and three year warranty included) at Camera Deals

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05-24-2009, 01:44 PM	#2
KFrog Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 294	If the difference between a new K20D and a used one is $500 or $670 you might just as well go for the new one in my opinion.

05-24-2009, 02:01 PM	#3
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Originally posted by NothingInCommon I was going to go all out and spend the money on the k-7, but I figured since Im a beginner the K20D would serve me just fine. Since new ones can be found for about $670, I thought I might get lucky and find a used one for under $500. Is there an easy way to tell the shutter actuations? can this number be altered with a hack or something? After what count would you say you should consider not buying a used DSLR? cheers Smart move on the choice of the K20. Since it's running about half the price of the preorder K7, then that means more money towards building a quality lens collection. Buying used is usually a safe bet, provided that your seller is a trusted one. My top choices for buying used gear are the Marketplace here and shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=889257&u=523490&m=66875&urllink=keh.com. With the Marketplace, you have the advantage of a smaller community of users (unlike Fleabay), meaning greater accountability, as well as the ability to view a potential user's feedback ratings and comments. Most people price their gear reasonably and are also willing to bargain, meaning an even better deal for you. Just in case you aren't aware of KEH, they're a camera dealer of both new and (mostly) used gear based in Atlanta. I have dealt with them several times. Their service is excellent (both ordering and returns) and the condition ratings that they put on their gear are accurate, if not a bit conservative. As far as shutter actuations, you can look at them like you would the number of miles on a car's odometer. The camera with less shutter clicks will naturally cost more than one with more clicks. Most people that have been around here for any length of time will often include the actual or approximate number of clicks in their listing when they advertise a body for sale. To determine the actual number of clicks, there's a program called PhotoMe that can do the job. BTW, with a less than $200 difference between a new K20 and a used one, I would advise you to go with the new one, as you'll get the warranty that will cover any functional issues that might come up within the first year. HTH, Heather

05-26-2009, 04:34 PM	#5
NothingInCommon Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by kenhreed As a prospective buyer of a k20d, I'd also lean towards new vs. used. If you buy from a Pentax dealer, they've extended the warranty to three years instead of one. See below... "And those of you who have purchased already, or are planning to purchase a Pentax K20D from an authorized USA dealer, you get a total three-year warranty (one year standard plus two years extended) included with your purchase. The typical warranty is one year. The extended warranty promotion ends on July 31st, 2009." Pentax K20D at $670 (and three year warranty included) at Camera Deals after the camera I was looking at on ebay fetched over $600 with shipping I realized that its pointless to go used ... you make a very strong point, I forgot about that warranty deal.

05-26-2009, 06:27 PM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Or buying used from a reputable dealer (KEH, Adorama, B&W) is just as good.

05-27-2009, 10:16 AM	#7
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	..or factory refurbished if there are any. They would have the price of a "used" one but the warrranty of a "brand new" one.