Would you buy this...

ajf · 26 Mar 2014 at 19:00

..Used Canon 5d mkII for £600...

...sting in the tail is the shutter count is 225,000!
It does have a 6 month warranty that WOULD cover the shutter though.
I am likely to add 2-3,000 shots a year.

On one hand tempted because of the price, on the other I know I would be taking a risk.
Are there likely to other issues cropping up other than the shutter though?
One consideration was buy it now, 6 month warranty over which period I can put some money away IF I need to pay for the shutter myself later.

Schizo · 26 Mar 2014 at 19:10

Thats a hell of a lot photos taken,probably a professional who had it and had it serviced regally.

Cant really give any advice but personally....i wouldn't touch it.

Raymond Lin · 26 Mar 2014 at 19:21

A new shutter is about £220 from Canon Elstree inclusive labour and parts.

FYI I sold my 5D2 over a year ago for £900ish with a shutter count of 75k.

ajf · 26 Mar 2014 at 19:24

Thanks both.
That is the sort of price I was expecting.

The sensible me says avoid like the plague. The other half says take a risk and it may last another couple years!

a1ex2001 · 26 Mar 2014 at 20:18

It's certainly tempting especially with the guarantee! I'd be in two minds like you the trouble is the shutter could give up at any moment and you might be in the trip of a lifetime!

kitfit1 · 26 Mar 2014 at 20:52

Absolutely 100% buy it. There is a lot of rubbish talked about shutter counts on 5D MKII's.
Ive had mine nearly 3 years and a shutter count nearly 300,000. A new shutter is so cheap compared to the cost of the camera in the first place, what does it really matter ? It's not like the rest of the camera is suddenly going to fall to pieces within days is it ?
£600 for a 5D MKII is a bargain........................as long as it is 100% in full working order when you buy it.

And · 26 Mar 2014 at 21:42

I'd probably buy it, knowing that a replacement shutter is £200+. In fact I'd even try to haggle on that point.

You've got me thinking I should check the counts on mine (1D4, 2x7D) as I have no idea what they're up to

a1ex2001 · 27 Mar 2014 at 13:28

kitfit1 said:
Absolutely 100% buy it. There is a lot of rubbish talked about shutter counts on 5D MKII's.
Ive had mine nearly 3 years and a shutter count nearly 300,000. A new shutter is so cheap compared to the cost of the camera in the first place, what does it really matter ? It's not like the rest of the camera is suddenly going to fall to pieces within days is it ?
£600 for a 5D MKII is a bargain........................as long as it is 100% in full working order when you buy it.

I wouldn't call it rubbish canon quote a shutter life of approximately 150'000 activations obviously some will last longer and some will die well under 100'000 it's a lottery and if your happy to take a gamble on a higher shutter count you might get away with it or you might get a £250 bill a week after warranty expiry that puts the camera into the same price bracket as a much lower shutter count one would have cost in the first place!

Raymond Lin · 27 Mar 2014 at 13:57

a1ex2001 said:
I wouldn't call it rubbish canon quote a shutter life of approximately 150'000 activations obviously some will last longer and some will die well under 100'000 it's a lottery and if your happy to take a gamble on a higher shutter count you might get away with it or you might get a £250 bill a week after warranty expiry that puts the camera into the same price bracket as a much lower shutter count one would have cost in the first place!

But if you think of it this way.

If another 5Dii sell for £800 and has 70k shutter count and yours is now £600 plus £250 for a Zero shutter count 5Dii.

Or the £600 5Dii shutter may not die at all, I've seen people with 500k shutter count.

a1ex2001 · 27 Mar 2014 at 14:53

Raymond Lin said:
But if you think of it this way.

If another 5Dii sell for £800 and has 70k shutter count and yours is now £600 plus £250 for a Zero shutter count 5Dii.

Or the £600 5Dii shutter may not die at all, I've seen people with 500k shutter count.

Thats exactly what I was saying, it's a gamble as if it breaks your 600 quid camera actually cost 850 which would buy you a camera with about 50K on it at the minute.

All second hand cameras are a risk at the end of the day as shutter counts are only approximations. If I was in the market for a 5D mkii I would be seriously considering the one the OP talks about if it were offered to me. Can't say I'd definitely go for it though!