Anyone FlexiRent their D70?

[leuco]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum. I was just wondering if any of you do, or have considered, FlexiRenting the D70?

As a struggling young amateur photographer hoping to turn it into a profession one day, I'm looking at all the ways I can to cut my outlays of capital. To be honest, I think if I'm going to splash over $1K on camera equipment, it should be at least on a lens.

Just wanted to know if anyone out there has done the flexirent thing with a D70 and what their experiences are with this method of financing.

Cheers

[JordanP]

Hi leuco,

Welcome to the forum. I Can't really help with advice about flexi-rent, so hopefully another member can shed some light on the pros and cons. I will say though if you are looking to further develop your skills as a photographer then the D70 is an excellent choice. Also, you have found a great forum to share and learn - the amount of photography experience and diversity in this forum is amazing.

Enjoy,

[birddog114]

leuco
Welcome to D70Users.com!
Yes, you can flexirent the D70 and the ahold entire lenses + equipments that you wish to acquire.
Monthy payment suits to your budget (2,3 years term) at the end you keep by can buy or return it to Flexirent. That adds interest up on the original cost of the D70.
I'm sure flexirent is mainly used for business, but don't know about for private use.

[leuco]

Thanks for the responses. I'm aware that it can be done (ie. flexirenting the D70) I was hoping to get some personal experiences with this method of financing. Particularly with regard to Camera equipment. Are there any limitations they place on you for example with regard to wear and tear. From what I've read on the DPReview forums, it seems some of the more snap happy d70 users have rendered their camera's shutter unusable in less than 18 months of use!!!

I've been working for a government department as a photographer for the past 8 months (using a D100) but my contract is up at the end of the year. At present, I'm negotiating to a new contract that will allow me to travel around to various museums around the world taking photographs of preserved fish specimens. The catch is of course, that I'll need my own camera. Having been exposed to the benefits of DSLR's there's no way I can go back to my old N90 film SLR. No way Jose!

The other reason I'm keen on something like Flexirent, is I feel there could be a major upgrade in the Nikon DSLR range (D200, D80???) in about 18 months to two years, perhaps sooner. By Flexirenting I'll be able to trade up to the newer camera without too much hassle.

Anyway, I'll be doing some serious investigating into this in the near future and I'll keep everybody on here posted as to what I find out.

[MHD]

18 months is the exception rather than the rule...

What about getting a small personal loan? that way the gear is yours and a loan of 2.5K is (usually) not going to need evaluation of the capital... (there is a word I am forgetting here)

[gstark]

If that was a D70 shutter, then it was killed within about 6 months, given that the camera was released in March of this year. I certainly wouldn't be in any way concerned about shutter wear given an expected normal life for a camera.

But with the circumstances you've stated, then if the contract eventuates, you're talking about legitmate business usage of the camera; thus the camera will become a depreciable asset under your ownership, and any interest you pay on any load would become a deductible expense against any income you earn.

Conversely, any lease type agreement that you'd enter into would remove the depreciation and interest deductions, but the whole of the lease cost becomes a deduction. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.

Regarding the camera becoming obsolete - that's a given. I'd be expecting the D100 replacement to make an appearance at PMA in February next year. My guess would be that it'll use the same (12MP) sensor that's in the D2x. Perhaps a dumbed-down and cheaper variant of the D70 at the same time, with a D70 replacement not until PMA 2006.

The point here is that you're - truly - buying into a system. Dores it really matter if the dosy's a tad out of date? My CP5700 is 3 years old now, but it still takes great pictures within the boundaries of its design limitations.

What glass have you been using on the D100? For this new project you'll be choosing some glass to make the images, and you should be, of neccessity, be choosing some high end glass, I'd imagine. The cost of your choice of glass should make the cost of your body seem relatively insignificant.

[sirhc55]

I agree with MDH - I think the word is unsecured - I have used Flexirent in the business sense basically for tax purposes but these days I either pay cash or look to another method rather than renting.

My laptop cost me $226 per month over 24 months and at the end I paid them out. If you upgrade during the rental period you will find that it will cost you for ever.

Think of it this way, a certain well known Photo supplier in Sydney will rent you a D100 but the cost for a month is around 2k+ - so the answer is to find a way to own it outright - a loan is the way to go

Cheers

Chris

[Glen]

Leuco, Flexirent is good for being easy to organise and having clear tax deductible (in your case) payments. It really is not predicated on people upgrading quickly, in fact they expect the opposite.

Usually when they cost an upgrade in they work it out like this, they add remaining principal and small economic cost of interest, minus the trade in cost they get from a photographic wholesaler, plus the new purchase cost plus interest for the new period on all of the above.

As you can see the name is more marketing led than anything. An acceptable way to purchase something of this low value, but really view it as finance contract not a rental contract. Try giving three weeks notice like you can legally on a domestic rental agreement!!! They don't put any wear and tear limitations because that is your problem.

I would buy the D70 with the lowest priced finance you have access to, eg friends, personal loan, credit card, then when changeover time comes sell the D70 and purchase the new camera. Or keep the D70 as a spare and buy the new.

If you get quoted any repayments I would be happy to work out the interest for you, it may surprise!

[MHD]

Thats the word!

[MHD]

Got a home loan? Redraw on it (best interest rate)

[leuco]

Thanks a lot for all the input and advice. I'll respond to some of the ???'s you've posed.

What glass have you been using on the D100? For this new project you'll be choosing some glass to make the images, and you should be, of neccessity, be choosing some high end glass, I'd imagine. The cost of your choice of glass should make the cost of your body seem relatively insignificant.

I've been using mostly the AF 60 mm f/2.8 MICRO, AF Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 (both are my own lenses from film days) and also the Museum's 105 mm f/2.8 MICRO (nice lens!!). As far as glass for the upcoming contract, I think my existing arsenal should cover all bases. The 105 would be nice but its not 100% necessary. I am keen to get myself a decent longer tele zoom lens though for other uses. I've got my eye on the Nikkor AF 80-200 f/2.8 (anyone got an opinion on this lens?).

Thanks for your input gstark and Glen. It looks like I'll give my tax accountant a call to discuss what he thinks the best option is.

I have the money to buy the thing outright, no worries, but I've also got to invest in a few other things (eg. laptop, new bag, tripod, flash?), therefore, I'm looking to try and minimise my initial outlay wherever possible. I'm not 100% certain on which way to go yet. The only thing I'm certain of is that I'll be going with the D70 one way or the other.

And finally, MHD, no home loan to redraw on here.

Thanks once again everybody.