2 x Kodak 14n, should I get this?

[fasterfester]

Hey, thanks in advance, I am a brand new user. Here is the long story: My brother-in-law is a professional photographer who has fallen on hard times. His family had multiple medical problems last year that drove them to the brink of bankruptcy. They are just getting back on their feet recently, and now all of his equipment was stolen. He had a Kodak 14n with lots of lenses etc. I'm not a pro. But, my wife and I decided that we were going to look into buying him a full setup, sionce there is NO WAY that he would allow us to give him the money for it. We just can't stand the thought of them suffering in silence.

Which leads to my question. In searching for a replacement 14n, I came across this website, that is auctioning off 2 of them with lots of lenses etc: http://www.salvagesale.com/ShowOffer.asp?OfferID=19512

Here's the big question: should I buy this? I see new ones are about $4K. Since it is an auction, what do you think a fair price should be? It is 2 bodies, and lots of lenses.

Thanks in advance.

[Photo-John]

You're very nice. It's a wonderful thing you're doing.

I don't know anything about the Web site you're looking at, but the package looks good. I didn't see a price anywhere - only the claimed value. What are you looking at paying? I don't know if you can actually buy a new 14n body anymore. That camera has been out of production for at least a year. I don't think I'd be willing to pay much more than $1500. That's what they've been selling for on eBay.

Have you checked out the company selling the cameras? I would check them out to make sure they are legit. There are a lot of scammers using camera equipment listings to take advantage of people on the Internet.

[drg]

I'd check the serial numbers to make sure you don't wind up buying stolen merchandise particularly with what it says in the website.

Secondly, I'd talk to him about whether he wanted the same equipment replaced or wanted to use something different.

The KODAK 14n had one advantage and that was they mounted Nikon lenses on the largest sensor available in that format at the time. If you b-i-l is a Nikon fan, I'd suggest one of the new Nikon's either the D2x or the D200. Both are very superior cameras to the KODAK's on several front and significantly less costly (O.K. the D2x isn't really).

With the new cameras he will get all the benefits that come with them and in the case of D200 (obtaining one is a different story) the lower cost would allow him the luxury of more 'accessories'.

A used professional camera is one of the worst purchases I believe you can make. I never sell my cameras, I usually just wear them out or give them away. Most pros put wear on a camera in unique ways and the KODAK's were not terribly rugged when new.

This is a great thing you are offering to him, I'd take him out for a nice dinner and discuss it with him in detail. If that would embarass him or create a problem, buy him the best new camera you are willing and just say Happy Tuesday. We've more than enough 'experts' around here to guide you in what that system might be. But I bet he wouldn't let go of either one of the Nikons that I mentioned for a week or more! And that's coming from a Canon guy.

Let us know what else we can do to help you in your quest!

[Photo-John]

I'd talk to him about whether he wanted the same equipment replaced or wanted to use something different.

I was thinking the same thing. But I think the 14n is the only Nikon-mount digital SLR that offered a full-frame sensor. For that reason it's not really interchangeable with a new Nikon body. I am sure there are people who wouldn't part with their Kodak digital SLR bodies for this very reason. So I'm not so sure buying another body is a good idea. It would be nice if you could talk to him. But I understand the delicacy of the situation.

[fasterfester]

Excellent, thanks to your info I poked and prodded him some. Basically, I said "You still have so much equipment, are you thinking of buying the same camera or a new model" He said he was going to buy a new model, because 75% of his equipment was stolen. He said there are too many improvements since he bought that one.

I am going to try to press him on what he wants. I may come back with a couple of questions.

Thanks again!

[deckcadet]

The Kodak DCS Pro SLR/N is an improved version of the 14N, so you might want to investigate that....

[jorgemonkey]

Another idea you could do for him is to make up a fancy coupon on your computer saying something to the effect that "this coupon is good towards $XXXX amount of dollars to any camera & camera equipment you like". That way he knows that you're planning to spend a certain amount helping him get back on his feet, and he'll be able to choose the gear that he needs to help him get back on his feet.

[another view]

I never heard a lot of great things about the Kodak DSLRs, at least the later full frame Nikons. For studios they were good, but not too versitle beyond that (from what I've heard, no personal experience). Generally, a newer DSLR is a better DSLR - sometimes even a lesser model will have some great improvements. Nikon's D2Xs is their newest pro camera but the slightly newer D200 has some additional features even though it's below the D2Xs price point (figure $4500 vs. $1700). They're announcing another one below the D200 in about two weeks and it may have some new stuff on it as well. My point is that I wouldn't buy a camera that's been off the market for a year - that's almost ancient for a digital camera (although DSLRs fare better than compacts). This is in addition to the seller most likely being a questionable business, too...

I'm thinking that he'd really be happy with a D200 but it's a very personal choice. What a great thing you're doing to help out, too!

[deckcadet]

The D200 no longer has an edge on features, another view.... the D2Xs adds all the features the D200 did and then some (in camera cropping among others) plus offers high speed crop etc... and many of these improvements will trickle down to the D2X and D2Hs via firmware upgrades this fall. The D200 though is absolutely fantastic...I am in love with mine and it is worth its weight in gold and then some.