Nikon D300 Financing 101

When it comes buying a new camera, too many emotions can cloud the opportunities we may have right in front of us. Then the pricing of new models can scare us off and we tend to 'hold out' until some discounting miracle occurs, which normally happens when that model is about to be discontinued.

I am committed to maintaining state-of-the-art equipment with a minimal investment. Owning, but seldom using, multiple camera bodies is very costly long term. Technological advances make these items lose their value quickly enough and resale becomes truly disappointing when little cash value is left. I also don't need more than one camera body either, so learning is enhanced when concentrated on current technology. It also keeps us prepared for further developments that will add real value to our most precious commodity - knowledge.

Therefore, I am no longer a sentimentalist as I once was regarding my main shooter - I have plenty of antique cameras to fondle for that. This is a purely personal perspective and not one everyone shares, I know, but we all get so excited when new models come out - and equally dismayed when we can't afford one! I don't want to be in that position and have created a strategy to avoid it.

By viewing our cameras as we do leased items, we can maximize their value over time while we also minimize the actual cost of ownership. I adopted this approach when I sold my D70 to acquire a D200. I lost more money than I should have because I waited too long - a mistake I won't make again to acquire a D300. So, assuming you own a D200, here is my course of action to upgrade to a D300 as soon as they are available (I have already pre-ordered, BTW):

1) Buy new body at best price upon release - i.e., D200 = $1679
(future discounts offer little real savings over entire model life)
2) Sell current body & recoup an average 60% of purchase price - i.e., D200 = $1000
(estimated resale value of D200 when D300 is released)
3) Use new body for 24 months - repeat Steps 1 & 2

I have conservatively calculated that if I can recoup just 60% on my D200 DSLR body, the cost of ownership of a D300 DSLR will amount to $399.99 a year - or about $33.33 a month - for the next 24 months. If I keep the camera longer, that cost goes down even further.

It's a business expense for me as well, so I save again at tax time. By recapturing the remaining value in your D200 immediately, purchasing the Nikon D300 body can be no more expensive than a new prosumer body model. (A golden nugget here is the fact that the D200 isn't being discontinued. That will preserve resale value longer than if it was deleted from Nikon's lineup - our unique opportunity to upgrade!)

Therefore, I have decided I will NOT retain DSLR gear beyond 24-36 months - the rate of depreciation makes resale and new equipment acquisition a more expensive approach the longer you wait. In view of the enormous value Nikon is including in its newest upper end cameras, it would be financially smarter to purchase a new Nikon 'sooner than later' with such competitive pricing in play.

PS: Ritz Camera pre-orders list the D300 at just $1799 - let's hope that's the actual street price!

The Frugal Mule