Advice for buying used Sony EX1R at DVinfo.net

Dave Mercer · May 7th, 2010, 02:07 PM

I'm looking to buy a Sony EX1R and have been thinking seriously about trying to find a used low usage model (around 100hrs). I haven't seen many around but hoping more might start to appear in the next few months.

Are there any issues particular to the EX1R I should be looking out for? Any idea what a fair price might be for a used model in good condition - BH selling for $6300 (plus there's a $500 Sony rebate if additional accessories are purchased)? Am I crazy for trying to buy a used EX1R?

Cheers
Dave

Colin Rowe · May 7th, 2010, 03:35 PM

You would probably be better off looking for a used EX1. The EX1r has only been out for a couple of months. You might as well buy a new one, if thats what you want. I just purchased a brand new EX1 for almost £1000 less than an EX1r, shop around.

Dylan Morgan · May 7th, 2010, 07:07 PM

I have my EX1 up for sale on here... http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/private-...ml#post1524389

Dave Mercer · May 8th, 2010, 09:18 AM

Thanks for your input. I see lots of used EX1's around but would prefer the EX1R for the improvement over the EX1, particularly ergonomics.

I'm more interested to know if there are any problems specific to the EX1R I should watch out for if buying used.

And I'm also curious to know how much cheaper a used model would be (from the few I've seen online it looks like they're dropping $500-800 from the purchase price). Seems a bit expensive to me.

Seeing as I'm not going to be driving through the US until July I thought prices might come down a bit ...

Zsolt Gordos · May 9th, 2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mercer

I'm more interested to know if there are any problems specific to the EX1R I should watch out for if buying used.

Never heard of any.

Denny Kyser · May 14th, 2010, 09:35 PM

I have had no issues with the EX1r, and love the changes from the EX1 I had.

Dave Mercer · May 16th, 2010, 07:54 PM

So I take it the extra money spent on the EX1R is worth it over the EX1. I was wondering how many people thought the same. I'll keep my eyes out for used Ex1Rs then ...

Thanks all.

Robert Lee · May 21st, 2011, 09:43 AM

Just curious if you had luck in buying a used ex1R? I'm going through the same problem of finding one to buy.

Olof Ekbergh · May 21st, 2011, 10:56 AM

The biggest problem with the EX1/R and EX3 is the zoom control.

Some lenses are very good and some are terrible.

Sony does not consider this an issue any more, they simply don't guarantee smooth zooms at slow rates.

So even if you buy a new one I would check it out before buying. Pick it up at a camera store or be sure there is a replacement policy in place.

To test try to zoom very slowly, almost imperceptibly. The bad lenses will jerk and stop and start. It is easy to think it is operator error. But it is the nature of some of these lenses. It can be very hard to get a smooth start and stop.

If you don't zoom in shots much (I try not to use the zoom while shooting) then it is not an issue.

Just be aware of this issue.

Chuck Fishbein · May 24th, 2011, 09:03 PM

When purchasing any digital camera, the first thing I do is set the camera to the highest gain 18db in this case and let it sit for a few minutes. Then look for burnt pixels that remain white on the viewfinder.

Also check the back-focus by zooming all the way in, focusing and zooming full wide making sure the image remains in focus.

Finally, buy from a source that will allow you to return it if it does present issues after you get home.

May 7th, 2010, 02:07 PM	#1
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Advice for buying used Sony EX1R I'm looking to buy a Sony EX1R and have been thinking seriously about trying to find a used low usage model (around 100hrs). I haven't seen many around but hoping more might start to appear in the next few months. Are there any issues particular to the EX1R I should be looking out for? Any idea what a fair price might be for a used model in good condition - BH selling for $6300 (plus there's a $500 Sony rebate if additional accessories are purchased)? Am I crazy for trying to buy a used EX1R? Cheers Dave

May 7th, 2010, 03:35 PM	#2
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	You would probably be better off looking for a used EX1. The EX1r has only been out for a couple of months. You might as well buy a new one, if thats what you want. I just purchased a brand new EX1 for almost £1000 less than an EX1r, shop around. __________________ Colin

May 7th, 2010, 07:07 PM	#3
Dylan Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 70	Ex1 I have my EX1 up for sale on here... http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/private-...ml#post1524389

May 14th, 2010, 09:35 PM	#6
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	I have had no issues with the EX1r, and love the changes from the EX1 I had. __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

May 21st, 2011, 09:43 AM	#8
Robert Lee Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: W. Roxbury, MA Posts: 206	Re: Advice for buying used Sony EX1R Just curious if you had luck in buying a used ex1R? I'm going through the same problem of finding one to buy.

May 8th, 2010, 09:18 AM	#4
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Thanks for your input. I see lots of used EX1's around but would prefer the EX1R for the improvement over the EX1, particularly ergonomics. I'm more interested to know if there are any problems specific to the EX1R I should watch out for if buying used. And I'm also curious to know how much cheaper a used model would be (from the few I've seen online it looks like they're dropping $500-800 from the purchase price). Seems a bit expensive to me. Seeing as I'm not going to be driving through the US until July I thought prices might come down a bit ...

May 16th, 2010, 07:54 PM	#7
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	So I take it the extra money spent on the EX1R is worth it over the EX1. I was wondering how many people thought the same. I'll keep my eyes out for used Ex1Rs then ... Thanks all.

May 21st, 2011, 10:56 AM	#9
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	Re: Advice for buying used Sony EX1R The biggest problem with the EX1/R and EX3 is the zoom control. Some lenses are very good and some are terrible. Sony does not consider this an issue any more, they simply don't guarantee smooth zooms at slow rates. So even if you buy a new one I would check it out before buying. Pick it up at a camera store or be sure there is a replacement policy in place. To test try to zoom very slowly, almost imperceptibly. The bad lenses will jerk and stop and start. It is easy to think it is operator error. But it is the nature of some of these lenses. It can be very hard to get a smooth start and stop. If you don't zoom in shots much (I try not to use the zoom while shooting) then it is not an issue. Just be aware of this issue. __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

May 24th, 2011, 09:03 PM	#10
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: Advice for buying used Sony EX1R When purchasing any digital camera, the first thing I do is set the camera to the highest gain 18db in this case and let it sit for a few minutes. Then look for burnt pixels that remain white on the viewfinder. Also check the back-focus by zooming all the way in, focusing and zooming full wide making sure the image remains in focus. Finally, buy from a source that will allow you to return it if it does present issues after you get home.