D90 - how can I get one cheap?

**hodaka** · 11-10-2009, 10:15 PM

Ain't that the eternal question, right?
I have come to the conclusion that I could really use an upgrade to a D90 for a few of the features that I am constantly missing in my D60 (bracketing and the 3.0" LCD, to name a couple). But I can't afford one. I have spent well over $2000 on the camera, lenses, flash, etc so far over the last year, and that is way over what I had originally budgeted. I am getting immense satisfaction from photography, but it's obviously not paying for itself, so . . .

Any ideas?

**collacott** · 11-11-2009, 12:13 AM

If you figure a way to get something cheaper than they are worth, let me know!

**kat** · 11-11-2009, 12:22 AM

Me too! I so want to upgrade! That or if you can tell me how to win the lottery!

**Fortytwo** · 11-11-2009, 06:03 AM

Ehm, you can steal one...

Nah, woundn't do that. Let's be honest. You can try to haggle with the sales person. Or try to import one from another country in which they are cheaper.
Or... try to cut back on other expenses. Don't go out for diner, don't go on holiday, sell your car, etc.
Ken Rockwell has written an entire assay about how to afford all kinds of camera gadgets...
How to Afford Anything

**JAS_Photo** · 11-11-2009, 02:06 PM

You can try Ebay. Cameta camera on there has a good rating. Just don't get into a bidding war, in fact do not even bid until the very last minute.

If you want to upgrade a little more get the D300. I love mine! Nikon has upgraded to the D300s so you may find a deal on the D300. I got mine just before the D300s came out and paid a decent price for mine. I think if you already have the D60, you will be happier with the upgrade to D300 than D90. Go to a camera store and play with both to see. The D60 is a great little camera by the way but if you shoot almost entirely in manual mode, it is not that convenient.

Ha!Ha! but upgrading to a better camera does not end there.

**JAS_Photo** · 11-11-2009, 02:18 PM

Ha! Ha! Ken Rockwell pissed me off recently, but he won me back again on his tipping well rant!

**F8&Bthere** · 11-11-2009, 04:21 PM

Ken Rockwell gets a bad rap cuz it seems like it's the cool thing to do to slag him in any photography forum, much in the same way it's so cool to slag pushed HDR, grunge borders and a number of other things the photo forum snobs frown upon....

I also have a D300 and like it but from what I've read the D90 isn't really much of a compromise- adds video capability, less size/weight, lower price, and you really only lose the weather/dust sealing and a few other things unique to the semi-pro line that may not be that important to you (shooting speed and AF come to mind).

If you don't want to sell anything off that you already have (sometimes not worth it- the only things that hold any value are pro lenses and SB800 flashes for some reason) then yes you might try bargain hunting on ebay.

I sold off my pristine D70 shortly after buying my D300 and I regretted it bigtime later. Wasn't worth the $350 I got for it. It would have made a nice backup.

As for eBay, everyone always says be careful but the nice thing now is the paypal purchase protection which I understand applies to almost everything now. And the other important bit of advice if you are not already experienced with ebay- read up on sniping!

**hodaka** · 11-24-2009, 01:11 AM

Well, having failed at finding one cheap/used, I will be picking one up from my local dealer (tomorrow?). Looks like I may have my D60 sold soon, too.