So it seems I've killed my D3..... WWYD?

[sk66]

As I've previously noted, I take my D3 with me everywhere, rock climbing, boating, kayaking, etc...
Well, yesterday we all took a heavy tumble in the rapids while kayaking. Knowing we were going into a rough section I had put the camera into a wet bag, but apparently I didn't seal it quite well enough.
The D3 got water in it and appears to be dead after 24hrs dry out. Everything else stayed dry(er) i.e. lenses. The water got in the battery compartment and CF slots. I think the shorting of the battery is what did it as the battery also seems to be bad now.

Besides the down time, it's not such a big deal. It's insured for stuff like this and it's insured for replacement cost. So now I have a dilemma. Since the D3 is discontinued I can probably get a D3s which would be very cool.

But it's time for new cameras from Nikon this fall...Potentially a D4 which might release at similar cost to the D3s. New models also tend to reduce the price of previous models so I might be able to get a D3x....

I do a lot of birds and "active" shots....I'm kind of torn as both the high ISO of the D3s and the MP's of the D3x are very appealing for different reasons. If the D4 fell squarely between these two at a D3s price I'd be thrilled (more MP than D3s with same ISO capability but less MP and better ISO capability than D3x).

So, I'm looking for input from the group. WWYD? It's not "my money", but whatever route I take will be "it".... I can't justify taking the "loss" of buying now and upgrading later.

Either way, it looks like it's just my G10 for a while. That's not such a bad thing.

[Mike367]

I don't think I could stand to be cameraless waiting for something that might come out in the future. Just like at the grocery checkout, the other line always moves faster, I'm resigned to the fact that a new model will always come out after, but not until, I make a purchase.

[Niresangwa]

I'd be tempted to hold out.. the jump in capability was a pretty big one last fall, at least on the Pentax platform, so I would assume other platforms would experience the same advances..

obviously if you don't wait it's not like you'll be stuck with a piece of sh!t... just comes down to howlong you can live without a DSLR I suppose. Maybe someone more clued in to the Nikon circuit has more of a feeling on timeline and possibilities...

[jdepould]

I'd send it in for a repair estimate. My D700 went down in a West African monsoon (I think it was the card slot), repair was only $500. Didn't even bother submitting to insurance.

I say have it fixed by nikon. Or at least send it in and have them quote you a price.

That way you have the camera and the insurance money and possibly sell the D3 as "refurb'd".

[WooD]

I agree with the above.....send it back for repair.

[mosgood]

@sk66: I agree with the others. Send it in for repair. What do you have to lose? If it's repairable, it lives for another day of shooting. If not...it buys you time to consider another body. :-)

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

That way you have the camera and the insurance money and possibly sell the D3 as "refurb'd".

Pretty sure that would be insurance fraud.

Originally Posted by jdepould

Pretty sure that would be insurance fraud.

How so?

I can buy back my car from the insurance company. I receive $ from the insurance company when my car got hail damage, I can still sell the car, the car is still mine.

How exactly is that fraud? Did he break it on purpose or submit a false claim? Doesn't seem so to me.

[sk66]

If the insurance company lets me keep the camera I will probably send it in for an estimate at least. Then I might keep it as a backup.
Looking at some of the visible issues (corrosion/ deposits, must have been something in the water or bags) I don't think it will be a minor repair, and even if it is I'm not sure I'd want to rely on it. That is why I have insurance on my gear, so I don't have to try to "get out cheap".

I'm leaning towards waiting.... Spring bird season is about over and I can do a lot with the G10. It will be tough going without the DSLR though. And It annoys me to no end that they release improved models within 6 months of me buying a camera.

BTW, I don't have a deductible on this policy..... 100% paid @ new replacement/insured value (whichever is less).