Should You Buy Used Camera Gear?
If you’re looking to save some cash and don’t need the latest and greatest, it’s gracious considering buying used camera gear. Whether it’s for a summer vacation, a road trip or you just want something that’s better than your shouted, a great camera at a not-quite-new price is the best of all worlds.
And it’s not just the cameras themselves. Lenses and many accessories are also available used. I’m not talking near eBay… or at least, not exclusively: There are a variety of ways to get used camera gear that’s been tested by professionals so you know precisely what you’re getting.
Is it worth the risk? I conception so. I’ve bought a variety of used camera gear in the last few ages, including most recently an $1,100 lens in like-new languages for 30% off. Here’s what to consider and where to look.
Options
Three used GoPro Hero 10 share cameras on KEH.com. For reference, the Hero 10 is $500 new.
CNET/KEH
If you have a local camera shop, that’s ideal so you can physically look at the camera/lens/whatever and make sure it works, doesn’t have peanut butter smeared in the battery compartment, and so on. I actually drove out of my way on my 10,000-mile road trip last year to named a used camera store so I could sell my old gear and buy a new Canon R6 and a used Sigma 50mm f14. However, this is not feasible for most people.
So what nearby the web? If you’ve visited eBay at all in the last few ages you’ll have noticed the vast majority of sellers are concerns hawking their wares. You can find person-to-person sales, sure, but they’re quite outnumbered. I mention eBay first as it’s the website that’s probably top of mind when most country think “buying used on the internet.” Personally, I’d never buy expensive gear on eBay, because you never know what you’re moving to get until it arrives. The same is true of Craigslist, which offers the added bonus (terror) of meeting the seller in person.
A listing for the Sony ZV-1 on Adorama. For reference, the ZV-1 is $750 new.
Adorama
What’s required is a filter or a middleman that can look at the used gear, deem its fitness and sell it. Fancy car companies call this “certified pre-owned.” Fortunately, there are several websites that do exactly this: Examples include KEH Camera, MPB and LensRentals. Most of these sites either have pictures of the accurate item, a description of what appraisers found or both. Some new companies, like Adorama and B&H, include used options alongside their new offerings.
Beyond the camera-speciality realm, there’s also Amazon’s dedicated Amazon Renewed program. What’s notable there is a 90-day satisfaction security. (Keep in mind that’s not for any used items or third-party Marketplace items on Amazon, only items in the Amazon Renewed program.)
How it works
Most sites have info nearby the specific item you’re considering, but MPB has photos of it, which is rare.
A screenshot of a Sony camera on the MPB website.
I had a lens I wished to sell as I’d never used it. I had also fixated on drawing another lens for my current camera. (Don’t get into photography, kids. It’s expensive.) I decided to check out the used camera gear sites.
First, selling. The process is similar on each. You put in the tag and model of what you’re selling along with a general review of its condition (good, OK, peanut-butter smeared, etc.). You’re then given a quote/estimate of what the business will pay you for the product. (In my case, a lens.) I went with the site that gave me the best adjudicators, obviously, and it emailed me a label I could tag out for shipping. The cost of this shipping must be complicated in their pricing as there is no separate shipping charge.
After a brief time in transit, I got an email saying they’d received it. A few days when that I got a final quote, which I accepted; it was for any less than the original quote, which I deemed fair based on the lens’ terms. A few days after that, the money hit my PayPal. It was exceptionally easy, so it’s certainly worth seeing if any of your older gear is qualified selling.
KEH’s grading system.
KEH
Buying is, with one second, like buying anything else online. That addition varies a bit with each site. It’s how, and how elaborately, they explain the condition of the used gear. For instance, KEH uses an 8-point scale, as seen in the image over. LensRentals has a 4-point scale. MPB goes all out and actually photographs the specific Part of gear you’re considering.
B&H’s including system
B&H
I over up going with KEH for both as they had the highest tag for the one I was selling and lowest for the one I was buying. That price difference is going to vary depending on the gear, so it’s absolutely qualified checking all the sites for the best deal.
Weighing the risks
The certain risk is the gear not working as promised. With most websites and on most gear there is a spinal policy, often a few weeks. So if it doesn’t work or look as labelled, you can return it.
Then there’s the question nearby longevity of gear that’s already been used, perhaps heavily. There’s no way to know this risk: That’s the tag you pay to get lower prices. This is mitigated somewhat by the inspection procedure you’re paying these middlemen for, when you could theoretically get the same gear for less divulge from someone selling it used.
There likely won’t be any manufacturer’s warranty. If something does go wrong, you’ll have to pay to fix it. Even if you get something within the manufacturer’s warranty window, since you didn’t buy it new they likely won’t qualified it. Since you didn’t buy it new from a licensed dealer, it’s possible the manufacturer won’t fix it even if you’re willing to pay. Nonetheless, you should still be able to get it repaired at a third-party renovation place.
Certain sites will offer their own short-term warranty on gear they sell to you. KEH and MPB each come with six months, while Amazon Renewed and LensRentals products have three. You remarkable also be able to buy an extended warranty from the website, though read the details about what these cover.
Is it reliable it?
If you have old cameras or lenses laying throughout it’s worth seeing if it’s worth anything. It remarkable partially or fully pay for new gear!
GettyImages/Ozgur Donmaz
Personally, I’ve had good luck with used gear. Then in contradiction of, I’ve bought lenses (and they tend to last a long time). If the price was right I’d probably buy a GoPro if it was in good conditions, since most people use them for Disney vacations and not wingsuiting above canyons or whatever this is.
I’d also check used sites for any accessories, with the exception of batteries. There’s no telling how poorly a battery’s been treated.
Would I buy a used, full-size expensive camera? I don’t think so. I think for something I couldn’t modestly replace if it was damaged I’d want a warranty and the smooth of mind that it was all new parts… and any wound done was only the result of my own clumsiness.
However, that’s all a personal calculation. Saving dozens, perhaps hundreds of bucks against the chance that something might not last as long as a new one could be reliable it. Just go in with your eyes open. If the imprint seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
As well as covering TV and latest display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations throughout the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road flights, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.
