Used 5D with sensor replaced- good deal?

[sagittariansrock]

Hi all
I was looking for a used 5D (classic, mark i, original, etc.) and I have found one with the sensor allegedly replaced by the 1st owner, along with the mirror fix, also alleged. The camera is now being sold by the 2nd owner, who seems quite honest and candid about everything but doesn't have any documentation from Canon (it seems he tried to get it).
Now, should I be concerned about a replaced sensor? The price is not bad, considering he is adding a 50 II (which I will have to sell, though) and an RRS L-plate, all for $ 525.
Thanks for your advice in advance...

 

[BL]

Without documentation, there's little else you can do except take the seller's word for it. I would have liked to know why the sensor was replaced.

Did they say how many actuations have cycled? Is the viewfinder relatively clean?

If everything checks out, seems like a pretty solid deal. You can always sell the 50 and those RRS L plates are really nice, and can run well north of $150+ by themselves (depending on the body)

 

[sagittariansrock]

Without documentation, there's little else you can do except take the seller's word for it. I would have liked to know why the sensor was replaced.

Did they say how many actuations have cycled? Is the viewfinder relatively clean?

If everything checks out, seems like a pretty solid deal. You can always sell the 50 and those RRS L plates are really nice, and can run well north of $150+ by themselves (depending on the body)

He doesn't know why it was replaced but he will try to find out again.
He seems quite genuine, which I like. Otherwise he didn't need to disclose the sensor was replaced.

 

[sagittariansrock]

So, more information:
It seems the sensor literally burnt out from use by the first owner. Canon also replaced the shutter and fixed the mirror, according to her.
The model number starts with a '0', the camera had sensor and mirror replaced (it might be a good thing, but still worries me), few thousand clicks, comes with an RRS L bracket and 50mm (which I will have to get rid of anyway), all for $ 525. No box, 2 batteries, aftermarket strap (not really useful to me as I use the BR system).
Is this a good idea?
How likely am I to get a 5D with a clean history and around 20-40K clicks (hopefully a single owner) for around $ 425? [assuming $ 50 from selling the 50 II, and the fact that I shall need an L bracket anyway- and these sell for about 50-60 bucks at KEH]

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Hi all
I was looking for a used 5D (classic, mark i, original, etc.) and I have found one with the sensor allegedly replaced by the 1st owner, along with the mirror fix, also alleged. The camera is now being sold by the 2nd owner, who seems quite honest and candid about everything but doesn't have any documentation from Canon (it seems he tried to get it).
Now, should I be concerned about a replaced sensor? The price is not bad, considering he is adding a 50 II (which I will have to sell, though) and an RRS L-plate, all for $ 525.
Thanks for your advice in advance...

Having a replaced sensor and mirror box means the shutter was almost certainly replaced as well, that probably means high usage, but not always. Sensors do gain bad pixels over their life, so a replaced one is good. However, it could all be just a story handed to the 2nd buyer.

Base your decision by how well the camera looks and works.

 

[Menace]

Hi all
I was looking for a used 5D (classic, mark i, original, etc.) and I have found one with the sensor allegedly replaced by the 1st owner, along with the mirror fix, also alleged. The camera is now being sold by the 2nd owner, who seems quite honest and candid about everything but doesn't have any documentation from Canon (it seems he tried to get it).
Now, should I be concerned about a replaced sensor? The price is not bad, considering he is adding a 50 II (which I will have to sell, though) and an RRS L-plate, all for $ 525.
Thanks for your advice in advance...

Having a replaced sensor and mirror box means the shutter was almost certainly replaced as well, that probably means high usage, but not always. Sensors do gain bad pixels over their life, so a replaced one is good. However, it could all be just a story handed to the 2nd buyer.

Base your decision by how well the camera looks and works.

+1

 

[mrzero]

How likely am I to get a 5D with a clean history and around 20-40K clicks (hopefully a single owner) for around $ 425? [assuming $ 50 from selling the 50 II, and the fact that I shall need an L bracket anyway- and these sell for about 50-60 bucks at KEH]

Not very likely near me (Chicago suburbs).