Nikon FF prices plummeting

filmamigo · 08-29-2018, 12:50 PM

Since Nikon introduced the full-frame D3 I have watched the used market for full frame. FF Nikon cameras seemed to hold their value very well, and even first gen (D3 and D700 cameras) stayed the better part of $2000 Canadian on the used market.

Since the Z series announcement, it looks like there are a whole lot of Nikon FF DSLRs for sale. I've never seen prices so low for Nikon FF. I see D700's for the same price as used Pentax K3 and KP cameras. D800s only a bit more (1200ish).

I wonder if this is a permanent markdown of the value of the older cameras versus the Z series? Or a one-time glut of the market as some people switch to the Z?

Adam · 08-29-2018, 12:59 PM - **1 Like**

I wonder if it's more than just bodies. Picked up the 70-200mm VR II several years ago for $2699 (MSRP), and now even half that price would be asking too much...that's probably what insane new markups do to used prices.

Luckily Pentax has been a bit better in the value-holding department

DeadJohn · 08-29-2018, 12:59 PM - **1 Like**

My guess is glut due to people buying the new cameras. It might become permanent depending on how the Z system actually performs.

biz-engineer · 08-29-2018, 01:20 PM

It's a coincidence. Before a Z was announced, I could get a D800 for 1000 Euros, a A7ii for 800 euros and a Canon 5DIII for 1200 euros. Cameras lose value faster than their actually capability to take photographs. And the Sony mirrorless camera are the ones that devaluate the fastest due to frequent release of new models by Sony.

ChristianRock · 08-29-2018, 01:24 PM

Here in the US, D700s have been selling for around 500 dollars or less for a while now. I remember seeing a D3 for around 1100 at Roberts Camera a few weeks ago, and D800s have been selling for less than 1000 dollars sometimes. Maybe the world is catching up?

The tempting thing is the original Canon 5D that has been selling for around 200-250 dollars for a while now... and I think the pictures from that camera look great. I wouldn't trade any of my Pentaxes for it, but it 's a tempting way to get FF.

rawr · 08-29-2018, 09:39 PM

The abundance of Nikon releases over the last few years, and upgraders appetite for new gear, makes a downward trend in used Nikon's easy to understand.

The regular availability in some markets of 'stackable' camera discounts or rebates (eg 'factory refurbished' product + 20% eBay discount + manufacturer $$ rebate) also helps push used prices down.

dstar · 08-30-2018, 02:30 AM

Nikon actually start 3 camera 2 MILC and new Nikon's D3500 is a compact DSLR for beginners same 24MP with 2 lenses
The D3500 is expected to hit stores in September for $499.95 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Nikkor lens or, if you want to get some extra glass, $849.95 with a bundle that includes an 18-55mm f/3.5-
5.6G VR and an 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED AF-P DX Nikkor lenses.

**Rondec** · 08-30-2018, 02:35 AM

The more used gear on the market, the lower the prices go. The thing is that while some of the cameras are long in the tooth (D700/D3) there are plenty of them that are still excellent, like the D800 and D810. Certainly this allows users to move up to full frame in Nikon who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, but it also pressures Nikon to control prices of new gear since in a sense they are selling against themselves.

filmamigo · 08-30-2018, 06:26 AM

Not to take my own thread off-topic, but Pentax played this masterfully with the K-1/K-1ii. By offering upgrades for all K-1's, they have kept the used price of K-1's elevated.

When the price of a used camera is close to the price of a new one, it's hard to justify buying used. So I'm sure Pentax has sold tons of K-1iis that otherwise would have been re-sales of K1's...

---------- Post added 08-30-18 at 09:29 AM ----------

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Here in the US, D700s have been selling for around 500 dollars or less for a while now. I remember seeing a D3 for around 1100 at Roberts Camera a few weeks ago, and D800s have been selling for less than 1000 dollars sometimes. Maybe the world is catching up?

Interesting and that backs up the idea that the price drop is permanent.

I did see an article a few months back about people who dig the "old skool" look of D700's buying them up for "dirt cheap" prices. I glanced at the Canadian used prices and they hadn't dropped. Clearly it was US only at that point.

mee · 08-30-2018, 06:48 AM

Used D810's are still 1500 USD, D800E's for 1200-1300 USD, and D800's for 1000 USD. At least here in the US I don't see a change.

The D700 is a 10 year old 12 MP body, so I wouldn't expect them to hold a lot of value these days...

08-29-2018, 12:50 PM	#1
filmamigo Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	Nikon FF prices plummeting Since Nikon introduced the full-frame D3 I have watched the used market for full frame. FF Nikon cameras seemed to hold their value very well, and even first gen (D3 and D700 cameras) stayed the better part of $2000 Canadian on the used market. Since the Z series announcement, it looks like there are a whole lot of Nikon FF DSLRs for sale. I've never seen prices so low for Nikon FF. I see D700's for the same price as used Pentax K3 and KP cameras. D800s only a bit more (1200ish). I wonder if this is a permanent markdown of the value of the older cameras versus the Z series? Or a one-time glut of the market as some people switch to the Z?

08-29-2018, 12:59 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I wonder if it's more than just bodies. Picked up the 70-200mm VR II several years ago for $2699 (MSRP), and now even half that price would be asking too much...that's probably what insane new markups do to used prices. Luckily Pentax has been a bit better in the value-holding department Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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08-29-2018, 12:59 PM - 1 Like	#3
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	My guess is glut due to people buying the new cameras. It might become permanent depending on how the Z system actually performs.

08-29-2018, 01:20 PM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	It's a coincidence. Before a Z was announced, I could get a D800 for 1000 Euros, a A7ii for 800 euros and a Canon 5DIII for 1200 euros. Cameras lose value faster than their actually capability to take photographs. And the Sony mirrorless camera are the ones that devaluate the fastest due to frequent release of new models by Sony.

08-29-2018, 01:24 PM	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Here in the US, D700s have been selling for around 500 dollars or less for a while now. I remember seeing a D3 for around 1100 at Roberts Camera a few weeks ago, and D800s have been selling for less than 1000 dollars sometimes. Maybe the world is catching up? The tempting thing is the original Canon 5D that has been selling for around 200-250 dollars for a while now... and I think the pictures from that camera look great. I wouldn't trade any of my Pentaxes for it, but it 's a tempting way to get FF.

08-29-2018, 09:39 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	The abundance of Nikon releases over the last few years, and upgraders appetite for new gear, makes a downward trend in used Nikon's easy to understand. The regular availability in some markets of 'stackable' camera discounts or rebates (eg 'factory refurbished' product + 20% eBay discount + manufacturer $$ rebate) also helps push used prices down.

08-30-2018, 02:30 AM	#7
dstar Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 475	Nikon actually start 3 camera 2 MILC and new Nikon's D3500 is a compact DSLR for beginners same 24MP with 2 lenses The D3500 is expected to hit stores in September for $499.95 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Nikkor lens or, if you want to get some extra glass, $849.95 with a bundle that includes an 18-55mm f/3.5- 5.6G VR and an 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED AF-P DX Nikkor lenses.

08-30-2018, 02:35 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	The more used gear on the market, the lower the prices go. The thing is that while some of the cameras are long in the tooth (D700/D3) there are plenty of them that are still excellent, like the D800 and D810. Certainly this allows users to move up to full frame in Nikon who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, but it also pressures Nikon to control prices of new gear since in a sense they are selling against themselves.

08-30-2018, 06:26 AM	#9
filmamigo Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797 Original Poster	Not to take my own thread off-topic, but Pentax played this masterfully with the K-1/K-1ii. By offering upgrades for all K-1's, they have kept the used price of K-1's elevated. When the price of a used camera is close to the price of a new one, it's hard to justify buying used. So I'm sure Pentax has sold tons of K-1iis that otherwise would have been re-sales of K1's... ---------- Post added 08-30-18 at 09:29 AM ---------- Originally posted by ChristianRock Here in the US, D700s have been selling for around 500 dollars or less for a while now. I remember seeing a D3 for around 1100 at Roberts Camera a few weeks ago, and D800s have been selling for less than 1000 dollars sometimes. Maybe the world is catching up? Interesting and that backs up the idea that the price drop is permanent. I did see an article a few months back about people who dig the "old skool" look of D700's buying them up for "dirt cheap" prices. I glanced at the Canadian used prices and they hadn't dropped. Clearly it was US only at that point.

08-30-2018, 06:48 AM	#10
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Used D810's are still 1500 USD, D800E's for 1200-1300 USD, and D800's for 1000 USD. At least here in the US I don't see a change. The D700 is a 10 year old 12 MP body, so I wouldn't expect them to hold a lot of value these days...