So my D5100 was stolen

[Sohaltang]

From my car Sunday at Frys. 18-55 lens was attached along with a SB800 flash. Need replacement ideas. Suggestions? Budget less than 1K. Would like to add another lens. Still have my 55-250 lens.

 

[zCypher]

Ouch, that sucks bad. Do you want to replace it with another kit lens or forget about that?

 

[crashtestdummy]

If you liked the 5100, no reason not to go for the 5200. It's only $50 more ($750) with the kit lens.

 

[xj0hnx]

If you weren't into video you can get D300S in your price range, or D7000, and maybe a used D7100. D7000 same sensor as the D5100, but better controls on the body, less digging in the menu.

 

[96Firebird]

If you don't mind refurb'd, Adorama has the D5200 for $530 with free shipping...

Save some money towards the other lens.

 

[bigi]

It is actually a good time to jump systems.

I do recommend Fuji now, but YMMV.

For instance, X-A1 kit can be had for $499. It destroys the 5100.

That is what I've done. I still keep D800 though.

 

[Sohaltang]

If you don't mind refurb'd, Adorama has the D5200 for $530 with free shipping...

Save some money towards the other lens.

How reliable are refurbed cameras? Im an amateur and don't need to have camera issues. I mostly take pictures of my baby and family. I hope who ever stole it cant sleep at night when they see my 18 month old daughters xmas pictures.

 

[iGas]

How reliable are refurbed cameras? Im an amateur and don't need to have camera issues. I mostly take pictures of my baby and family. I hope who ever stole it cant sleep at night when they see my 18 month old daughters xmas pictures.

Refurbished electronics are often better than new, because it went through qualify human hands for recheck and calibration.

Personally I would take a refurbished lens over a new lens due to the second stringent calibration.

 

[gus6464]

Refurb Nikon from Adorama is mint stuff. I would not hesitate to buy a refurb camera or lens from them.

 

[gus6464]

Adorama also has the 18-200 refurb for $445.
http://www.adorama.com/NK18200DXNR.html

That with the refurb D5200 puts you at $1k for a really nice kit.

 

[96Firebird]

Refurb Nikon from Adorama is mint stuff. I would not hesitate to buy a refurb camera or lens from them.

I received my D3200 reburb from Adorama yesterday, and while I have no real experience with DSLRs I can say it looked like new. I couldn't find any blemishes or issues with it, but am waiting on my SD card to really test it.

 

[blurredvision]

How reliable are refurbed cameras? Im an amateur and don't need to have camera issues. I mostly take pictures of my baby and family. I hope who ever stole it cant sleep at night when they see my 18 month old daughters xmas pictures.

Did you get the pictures of the camera already, at least? Also, check your local craigslist for the next couple of weeks, you might find it listed there.

 

[Sohaltang]

Did you get the pictures of the camera already, at least? Also, check your local craigslist for the next couple of weeks, you might find it listed there.

Lost pics... I have a 64 GB card so I only move to PC about every 2 months.

 

[Syborg1211]

Well I guess now is a good time to evaluate how the D5100 performed for you. Were you happy with it? Why not just grab a D5200 if so? What are your reservations?

 

[biostud]

There is also a D5300 out.

 

[HelenOster]

I received my D3200 refurb from Adorama yesterday, and while I have no real experience with DSLRs I can say it looked like new. I couldn't find any blemishes or issues with it, but am waiting on my SD card to really test it.

Good to read your feedback, thank you!

How reliable are refurbed cameras? I’m an amateur and don't need to have camera issues.

So sorry to see this; I don't know how useful it has been found to be, but in 2008 Adorama reported on a site called http://www.camerafound.com that posted photos from found cameras and media cards in the hopes that the owners would reclaim them.

There are also these resources to help track stolen gear:

http://photo.net/neighbor/registry/

http://www.gadgettrak.com/


Regarding refurbs: they will have been checked over by the manufacturer by hand, inspected very thoroughly, diagnosed, and calibrated by experienced technicians, and could therefore turn out to be more dependable than a new item - which will only have been checked by a process of systematic quality control protocol (ie by random sampling as it comes off the conveyor belt).

Refurbs can have simply been pulled from the production line if something appears faulty, or if they haven’t passed the final inspection. Most of the time it is a very minor issue that needs correcting, nevertheless, once it is pulled from the normal flow of production, it gets flagged as a refurbished model, so you may get a unit straight from the factory that has never been used. (I have bought three myself, and for sure they were all factory-fresh!)

A refurb may also be an ex-store demo, possibly used in field tests or sales displays, or it may have been ordered in error and returned to the retailer (who can't then sell it as 'new' so it has to be sent back to the manufacturer for refurbishment).

In addition, Refurbs come into us with the firmware updates and latest fixes which were carried out at whatever stage it was at when we took delivery.

As to the individual history of a single item, the honest answer is we have no way of knowing. Refurbished equipment is not like new inventory; the manufacturers contact us when they have a batch to sell, and the availability is unpredictable.
However, if you were to ask my personal opinion on whether the equipment that Adorama offers as refurbished is typically less than a year old, based on the regularity with which we receive batches, I'd be inclined to think it is all relatively new.

I hope this helps, but you are most welcome to email me directly: Helen@adorama.com if you need additional information or advice

 

[96Firebird]

FWIW, my D3200 refurb came in at around 500 for the shutter count.