Where To Buy Used Cameras PATCHED

Unfortunately, cameras, lenses, and other pieces of photography equipment tend to be quite expensive. Once you add in the cost of a lens or two and some accessories like memory cards, the cost of your photography setup can be high and may quickly go over your budget.

where to buy used cameras

Here are some of the best places to buy used cameras and photography equipment in our experience, both online and offline. These include options for buying from individuals and companies, and both second hand and refurbished camera equipment.

One advantage of MPB is that they offer US, EU and UK stores, so they have wider geographic coverage. So if you are looking to buy or sell used camera equipment in the UK, the EU or the USA, they are a solid option.

In addition, WEX also offer trade-in options on used gear, and you can also sell them your used equipment for cash. You can fill in the form to get a free no obligation quote on your used gear online here.

Camera World UK has a dedicated section to used camera equipment on their website here. They have a reasonable selection of used products at good prices, and all their products sold with a value over 50 come with a 6 month guarantee, which covers them for manufacturers defects. They also offer a 7 day no questions asked money back guarantee.

For a camera, you should also be able to ask how many photos it has taken. Most cameras have a mechanical shutter, which the manufacturer will rate for a certain number of images. For example, the Canon EOS 6D I own has a rated shutter count of 150,000.

All the major online sites that we have listed have some sort of buyer protection, whereby if the product you buy does not meet the description, you should be eligible to return it for a replacement or refund.

UsedPhotoPro is a second-hand photography equipment seller based in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can purchase DSLR cameras, as well as film SLRs. If you fancy using a mirrorless one instead, this is also possible.

In addition to its land-based stores, CeX has a website where you can buy several photography-related products that you might not have been able to find in-store. The store sells both cameras and lenses.

B&H is a large second-hand tech seller that is headquartered in New York City. Its website sells a wide range of digital cameras, along with several lenses. In addition to standard lenses for cameras, you can also purchase specialty ones to achieve certain effects.

Unless you're a full-blown professional, you should always buy used DSLR camera bodies. This is especially the case if you're a newbie shopping for your first entry-level DSLR or a hobbyist replacing your first DSLR.

When it comes to electronic devices, the usual stigma is that "used" means "diminished in quality, reliability, or lifespan." This may be true in general, as many electronic items tend to fail quickly, but this isn't the case for modern cameras.

In fact, most cameras are so robust that their lifespans aren't measured in time. Instead, their life expectancy is measured by something called shutter count. Left alone and undisturbed, a modern DSLR's lifespan would likely be indefinite, limited only by the availability of a working battery.

Let's say you take ten photos every day for the rest of your life; that comes out to 3,650 shots every year. So even if you are using an average, entry-level camera, you can expect the device to last over 13 years. For a professional camera, the expected lifetime would be somewhere in the ballpark of 55 years.

There are plenty of tools available to check the shutter count of a used camera for sale, which would give you a rough estimate of its remaining life. Of course, these tools aren't always super accurate, but they're still nice as a gauge.

Despite the fact that DSLRs have long lifespans, the value of a used camera tends to depreciate quickly. As you know, mainstream camera brands, like Canon and Nikon, put out new camera models at least once every year. As a result, the value of older models goes down quickly.

Buying this camera new on Amazon would cost around $6,500, which may seem outrageous for just a camera. However, you can find the same camera used for approximately $5,600. Still steep, but this camera is top-of-the-line and reasonably new.

Is there a downside to buying used cameras? If we're just talking about one or two generations in the past, then there are very few downsides, if any. In fact, newbies and hobbyists shouldn't even bother with the newest models of any camera line.

The price between these two used Canon cameras differs by an average of $800. But the newer model offers little more than an expanded ISO range, improved burst speed of six photos, and one additional megapixel of resolution.

You should only get a newer model if it has a specific feature that you absolutely cannot live without, like a full-sized sensor. Otherwise, something older will work just as well. Both of these cameras include a full-frame sensor, so the natural choice will generally be the Mark II.

One thing that hangs people up when talking about used cameras is cosmetic defects. When you buy a new camera, you're guaranteed that it's fresh, clean, and unmarked. But, on the other hand, when buying used cameras, all bets are off.

We definitely recommend getting up-close and personal with a used camera before buying it, if at all possible. Here's the thing, though: scratches and marks have no impact on the function of the camera body, nor do they affect the outcome of your photos. The discomfort of a cosmetic defect is merely psychological.

For example, scratches on the body are fine, but scratches on the sensor may impact your photos significantly. Avoid cameras with fungus and mold anywhere on or inside their body for the same reason. Sticky buttons may indicate residue beneath the surface, preventing them from working correctly. Corroded connection ports are bad for the same reason; so are dented lens mounts.

Hopefully, it's now clear that buying used DSLRs is the smarter way to go most of the time. However, as much as we believe that buying a used camera is usually the best answer, there are a few scenarios where you may be inclined to think twice:

Investing in used cameras offers you an inexpensive introduction into the life of a professional photographer. With so many models to consider, saving on your initial purchase gives you time to decide which style works best for you. When combined with the abundance of accessories and add-ons that customize your picture-taking, used cameras serves as a gateway to see the world like never before.

The most obvious difference between traditional point and shoot cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) is photo customization. DSLRs allow you to use many different lenses specialized for different types of photography (macro, portrait, wide-angle, action, etc). Image quality is usually better as well, although today's high-end point and shoots are capable of taking very high-quality images. Point and shoot cameras are great options for beginner photographers who enjoy automatic functionality, as well as professional photographers who want a lighter, more portable camera when on the go. Pairing your camera with lighting equipment will improve your shots dramatically, both in the studio and outdoors. If you are interested in lighting gear and don't want to break the bank, check out used lighting equipment.

Deciding what type of equipment to buy depends on how you intend to use your camera. Advanced models grant more opportunity to manipulate each scene, giving experienced photographers the ability to make instant manual adjustments. B&H's selection of used cameras are divided into three categories: amateur, semi-professional, and professional. If you're not interested in exploring a wide range of controls, entry-level devices are a cost-effective introduction to the DSLR style, and you can usually find camera kits with one or more lens options for you to try.

Greater weather sealing and durable construction are a few benefits of semi-professional and professional models. They are heavier, equipped with more features, and present the best sensor technology. Because of the intricacy of these investments, you may be able to find used cameras and camcorders that are compatible with vintage lenses and accessories that offer a unique signature that allows your work to stand out.

A few weeks ago during a photo shoot, I dropped and fatally damaged one of my cameras. Since I live a good distance from any urban area with a camera shop, I always go online to buy camera and lenses.

I began my search by browsing new camera gear listings and soon experienced some serious sticker shock. I was amazed at how many new cameras and lenses were selling for over a thousand dollars or two.

Before the Internet, the used camera market was relatively small. Camera stores accepted some used cameras in trade, but only a few had more than a dozen secondhand models to sell. Now the secondhand market is filled with hundreds of thousands of used cameras of every make and model.

The other factor has been the arrival of entrepreneurs with business models focused on customer service and satisfaction. They have taken the guesswork and worry out of buying or selling gear by developing trustworthy rating systems, fast communications, dependable shipping and easy returns.

Barker was an ardent camera enthusiast who began trading cameras as a pastime while at university studying economics. His pastime soon turned into a full-time job and in 2011 he founded MPB. Today, that one-person operation run out of a university dorm room has grown into a company with over 140 employees and offices in the US, the UK and soon, Germany.

After explaining how he started MPB, Barker discussed the camera rating system on the site. Ratings help tell customers what a piece of used camera gear is actually like since they can only see a picture of it on a screen, Barker explains. It is, he says, at the heart of the online marketplace. 041b061a72