What to look out for when buying a DC?

Jimmy Liew · 6th July 2002

Gonna go down to either AP or CP to get the Nikon 5700 soon..but would like to know what are the things to look out for when checking the camera.

TIA

007 · 19th July 2002

1st, check the physical look of the cam, see whether got any scratches or conditions of the cam.

2nd check the surface for the lens, then LCD and any LCD display
(look for scratches and etc)

3rd check for the lens, see whether got dust inside the lens or not. (hard to say, last time one ***** co's product got dust inside, brand new one!)

4th Check the serial number of the cam , see whether match the number on the warranty card and the box
(many buyers miss this part)

5th Try to take some pictures with lens cap attach at some certain settings e.g.: ISO 100 or 200, shutter speed 1/4, 1/8 , 1/2 , 1 second to check for the deadpixels/stuckpixels or even noises (hotpixels). *note that under the ISO400 or 800 the noise will be relatively high.

6th Take out different colour papers e.g: pure yellow, pure red or pure blue. Take some pictures just base on these cards or papers. Then display on the LCD or viewfinder screen. See whether got any pixel that cannot display the colours. This is a deadpixel, if it cannot display the colour. Afterall, the 5th method can be used.

7th Try to connect to the TV there and check for the deadpixels and hotpixels. (make sure the hotpixels only in an acceptable limit) by enlarging the pictures largest possible and use the control button to toggle .

8th Immediately (or you have a laptop), right after you bought your DC, take the pictures using the 5ht method with the lens cap on and use software to analysis. Under high ISO, the noise will be obvious but should be under acceptable level.

9th If got any problem, go back for exchange and go through method 1 to 8 again.

10th Enjoy!

Landes · 19th July 2002

Double check the items listed on the box against the items actually in the box, make sure nothing is missing... Warranty card, manuals, CDROm, etc...

Then plug in everything *memory card(s), USB cable, etc* and test... I didn't test out my USB cable, and guess I was really suay enuff, the cable given in the box was the wrong one...

DeepZpace · 18th August 2002

haha... I was so keen in getting my Nikon 4500 that when I got a good price from AP, I almost forgot to check the camera before swiping my card.... haha.... just careless... eventually did and loved the feel of it... nice, cant wait to actually go around taking pictures with it... =)
So always remember to check everything swee swee before buying...!!!

Belle&Sebastain · 18th August 2002

also check the serial number on the camera matches the warranty. Good luck and have fun on your purchase!

SNAG · 18th August 2002

And not forgetting..
shooting as many pictures as possible, and post them online....

6th July 2002	#1
Jimmy Liew Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 160	What to look out for when buying a DC? Gonna go down to either AP or CP to get the Nikon 5700 soon..but would like to know what are the things to look out for when checking the camera. TIA

19th July 2002	#2
007 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: u n k n o w n Posts: 536	1st, check the physical look of the cam, see whether got any scratches or conditions of the cam. 2nd check the surface for the lens, then LCD and any LCD display (look for scratches and etc) 3rd check for the lens, see whether got dust inside the lens or not. (hard to say, last time one ***** co's product got dust inside, brand new one!) 4th Check the serial number of the cam , see whether match the number on the warranty card and the box (many buyers miss this part) 5th Try to take some pictures with lens cap attach at some certain settings e.g.: ISO 100 or 200, shutter speed 1/4, 1/8 , 1/2 , 1 second to check for the deadpixels/stuckpixels or even noises (hotpixels). *note that under the ISO400 or 800 the noise will be relatively high. 6th Take out different colour papers e.g: pure yellow, pure red or pure blue. Take some pictures just base on these cards or papers. Then display on the LCD or viewfinder screen. See whether got any pixel that cannot display the colours. This is a deadpixel, if it cannot display the colour. Afterall, the 5th method can be used. 7th Try to connect to the TV there and check for the deadpixels and hotpixels. (make sure the hotpixels only in an acceptable limit) by enlarging the pictures largest possible and use the control button to toggle . 8th Immediately (or you have a laptop), right after you bought your DC, take the pictures using the 5ht method with the lens cap on and use software to analysis. Under high ISO, the noise will be obvious but should be under acceptable level. 9th If got any problem, go back for exchange and go through method 1 to 8 again. 10th Enjoy!

19th July 2002	#3
Landes Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: SiNGaPoRu Posts: 167	Double check the items listed on the box against the items actually in the box, make sure nothing is missing... Warranty card, manuals, CDROm, etc... Then plug in everything memory card(s), USB cable, etc and test... I didn't test out my USB cable, and guess I was really suay enuff, the cable given in the box was the wrong one...

18th August 2002	#4
DeepZpace Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 67	haha... I was so keen in getting my Nikon 4500 that when I got a good price from AP, I almost forgot to check the camera before swiping my card.... haha.... just careless... eventually did and loved the feel of it... nice, cant wait to actually go around taking pictures with it... =) So always remember to check everything swee swee before buying...!!!

18th August 2002	#5
Belle&Sebastain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: here Posts: 3,757	also check the serial number on the camera matches the warranty. Good luck and have fun on your purchase!

18th August 2002	#6
SNAG Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,412	And not forgetting.. shooting as many pictures as possible, and post them online....