Should the shutter is changed before selling a used camera

[paltu]

My friend purchased a used Nikon D850, which at present reached almost 2 lakh shutter count. He wants to sell the same. Should he change the shutter before selling the same to get a better value or should he sell the same as is to get at least a reasonable value.

The background is that he purchased the used camera with the commitment of low shutter count six months back but after six months, he casually checked the shutter count and found that the same is 2 lakh. He also have Nikon Z9 hence, want to sell D850.

Please advice.

[Nishit Dave]

No, because the buyer would not agree to pay the shutter replacement cost even if zero new actuations have happened. Better to sell it as it is with full disclosure (and a quotation for shutter replacement cost).

[Krish Chandran]

There is no easy answer to this problem.
The D850 is rated for 200,000 shutter actuations. Normally they go for much more. How much more, depends on how well the camera has been kept and maintained. This is difficult to judge when ownership has changed a couple of times.

However, if a shutter mechanism fails at 200,000 or soon after it is possible that there are other aspects to the condition of the body that one should also take into account, such as the mounting & battery contacts, spots in the viewfinder, proper functioning of the software, rubber grip loosening etc - due to general maintenance issues.

Consequently, when you give it for shutter mech replacement quite often these "other issues" come to light increasing your planned expense. Just shutter replacement will cost between 25-28K

As to who should do this - buyer or seller - I guess it depends on how low you are willing to sell it for (as is) or how much you are willing to spend on it before you sell for a higher price.

And finally, the camera shutter count will not "reset" to zero after the change. It will continue from what the last number was. For a seller an invoice from Nikon Service will be the only "proof" you will have of a new shutter in the body.

[Hankosaurus]

Hello Paltu.

My opinion is that the best value for you, the seller, is to do as Nishit Dave suggested.  It is better for the buyer to be told the true state of the camera as it is, as you understand it.  You should share with him any knowledge about the probability of its shutter being in the middle of its service life, if that is true. Let the new owner own the business and decision about a new shutter.  He may use the camera for years without needing a shutter.  If you replace the shutter, you will not likely increase your take on the deal enough to have paid for the new shutter.  And then there is the possibility that things do not go perfectly with the replacement.

Better to just sell it and move on, IMHO.  Happy Day.