Buying a Secondhand Camera.

Gerrard

Gerrard

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As the title suggests is it worth buying a secondhand camera or do they cost almost as much as a new one.
I'm thinking of a DSLR..
Any thoughts.

Cheers.
 
Yeah definitely worth it in my opinion. You're looking at approx 2/3 of the price new. Try to find out the shutter count before you buy, gives a good indication of how much use it's had.

I've just bought my first dslr a few weeks back. 2nd hand camera dealer worked out cheaper than eBay, and I got 6 months free warranty too! So don't just rely on eBay.
 
I would say most certainly. I paid full price for my D300 nearly a year ago, this was I think just over £1,000
I could now buy the same camera second hand and mint for something like £600. and with about the same number of actuations as mine now has!
I have found this forum to be a reliable place to buy from, the deals I have had have been excellent.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Like vehicles there is always something special about having something brand new.
 
Thanks Boz and Dunks..
I'm in the new to photography section.. and I wasnt sure what to buy in the first place.
so I put myself in the middle and got a Lumix GF 2 but after a month I wish I had got a DSLR..
The GF 2 is a splendid camera and I'm well pleased but I really want to upgrade and thinking about the best way to go about it.

Its a bit like a Ford Focus will do but a BMW M3 is nicer..
 
Gerrard said:
As the title suggests is it worth buying a secondhand camera or do they cost almost as much as a new one.
I'm thinking of a DSLR..
Any thoughts.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

It's definitely not worth it in my opinion just save the money and buy new one, you always got to ask yourself why they sale the camera in the first place if it was a good camera?

Been your first DSLR choice one that you like;) not what the camera shop suggested.
 
What's the disapointment with the GF2, Paul?
 
footman said:
Obvious answer is obvious.
People don't sell their cameras because they are bad, they sell them to buy more kit.
And then more kit and so on............................
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unfortunatly the above is true :)
 
I think there's a lot of people who buy an slr thinking it will make all their pictures look amazing. Take it on holiday or something, leave it in auto and fire off a few hundred shots. Get home to find pictures are better than their point and shoot but not that much better to justify lugging the massive thing around. Don't see the point in it, sell it
 
footman said:
Obvious answer is obvious.
People don't sell their cameras because they are bad, they sell them to buy more kit.
And then more kit and so on............................
Click to expand...

So it is Obvious answer? :bang: i wouldn't sale my camera i just buy new again
 
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CanonEOS said:
So it is Obvious answer? :bang: i wouldn't sale my camera i just new again
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You keep all your old cameras and just buy new?

Most of the rest of us sell to fund new... wish i was as rich as you :)
 
Don't assume secondhand means terrible past tech. I have a 500D that i bought 3 months before the the 600D was announced and I love it.
I've met countless photographers that are shooting with 10D's and 40D's and such and they aren't having any problems at all, they have careers out of shooting with their past tech.

I know the words 'It's not the body that counts, it's the glass' gets thrown around alot, but it is true. Just look through Flickr and see the quality that some people have accomplished using older cameras.
 
@KIPAX

I am not rich but i see no point in seling a camera that still works for a upto date one all because it might have 4-5mp more, i think for most 50D members didn't really see the point upgrade to a 60D the same to me when the 70D comes out.

I only use my camera like a hobbie not that keen to be a pro. in the end it's just a DSLR camera to me better then a P&S.
 
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KIPAX said:
You keep all your old cameras and just buy new?

Most of the rest of us sell to fund new... wish i was as rich as you :)
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Have to agreed,I need to sell my old stuff to fund any upgrade,does not mean their anything wrong with my old stuff :)
 
I had the same thought earlier this month. After looking at all the pros and cons I came to the decission that it is worth buying a second hand one as it gives you the option of saving a bit of money and lets you get used to the equipment before upgrading to better and more expensive equipment .
 
I think both buying new have their positives and their negatives and you have to weigh up which has more positives for you.

Buying new = more expensive BUT you have the option to spread the cost with finance.

Buying new = more expensive BUT you have the option of buying extended warranty/accidental repair cover (which I have personal experience of using and now feel it is really worth having.)

It's possibly not so much the case with digital kit but there isn't always the option to buy new, I couldn't have bought my Hexar or my Ricohs new.
 
Alastair said:
What's the disapointment with the GF2, Paul?
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Hi Alastair.

Nothing really important just a couple in minor things, but its a great camera all the same.
I was thinking of a second hand DSLR as I must try it out and not be left wondering should I buy one or not and a second hand one seems the way to go.
I have read thats is hard when you start photography because of all the unknowns.. well thats where I'm at. :)
 
It's not long since you got the GF2, I'd give it a while. There always seems to be a period after changing camera or system where you think you're going backwards.. you start out and everything is new, everything works.. then you start to try to do what you wanted to do and realise it's going to take a while to get to grips with the new camera.. there's a temptation to run for a perceived better camera at this point, but you'll just be back at the start of the cycle again.

I'd strongly recommend sticking with the GF2 and working at technique.. right up until you hit something you just can't do with it, no matter what you try.

I've had a flick back through your posts.. you've either not shared many or not taken many with the GF2. To be blunt, all of the ones you've posted have been technically very competent.. the exposure is good, focus is good, etc.. all the bits that the camera is doing. The most immediate improvement could come from working on composition and deciding what you want each image to say.

Incidentally, of the ones you've posted and are still available to view (a lot of the photobucket links are broken) this one..

P1000149.jpg


.. has some real potential to my eye, it's a little different to the conventional rural Spanish landscape.

You can buy a secondhand DSLR, maybe you've already made up your mind to do so, and it's a sensible way of buying a camera (a lot of my gear is bought secondhand - including DSLR body and most lenses, a lot via Ebay). But I genuinely think you'd get more bang for your buck investing in your technique and your eye for photography. I really can't recommend highly enough The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman.

Paul.. get yourself a free Flickr account.. I can point you towards a group or two that might be able to help you along.
 
Before buying my recent camera I toke all the advice given to you so far and compared it with what I wanted the camera for and how long I intended to keep it.

I came to the conclusion that if I bought a new camera and the best I could afford and although it would probably be out of date the moment I toke it out of the shop, it would come with at least the manufactures warranty and wouldn't have any nasty surprises.

For me that was worth more than the saving I could make by buying second hand.
 
CanonEOS said:
I am not rich but i see no point in seling a camera that still works for a upto date one all because it might have 4-5mp more, i think for most 50D members didn't really see the point upgrade to a 60D the same to me when the 70D comes out.
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I think you have missed the point, many people want to update when a new model comes out, and it's generally the people who are 2 or 3 models behind, so someone with a 30D or 40D who might sell their camera to buy a 60D, a 60D owner might decide to upgrade when we get to the 80D.

Most people see the benefit of selling their old camera (which is usually still in good condition) for around half of the price of the new model and use the money towards the new camera.

It's only the rich who can normally afford to put the old camera in a cupboard when they upgrade.
 
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Until Jessops stopped selling used that is all I bought, I was guaranteed a guarantee, and the majority of the time when buying from say LCE you are getting Mr or Mrs I just have to have the latest cameras last years one.

In fact I have just bought a camera I had 30 years ago, a Nikkormat FTn, it is near mint and a dream.

As long as you buy from a reputable dealer you can't go wrong.
 
Yep, loads of good used dealers - Mpbphotographic, ffordes, mifsuds, apertureUK, SRS, camtech, carmarthen cameras.... the list goes on. They all have real people at the other end, which is what I want when I buy used, just in case there are any problems. Thankfully. of the dozens of used bits I've bought I've never had an issue :)
 
I have purchased 2 secondhand bodies and a few lenses and have not had any problems with them.
 
Scarecrow said:
That's what I do. I still have all my old film cameras going right back to my original Canon AE-1. Still have all the lenses I have ever bought too.
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I would agree with you about film bodies, most of them have a value so minimal it might not even be worth driving to the post office with them ;)

But to keep, say a 350D or 20D when it could realise £150-£200 towards a new body makes better financial sense that keeping it as it gets more and more out of date.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, thats given me something to think about.
 
Alastair said:
It's not long since you got the GF2, I'd give it a while. There always seems to be a period after changing camera or system where you think you're going backwards.. you start out and everything is new, everything works.. then you start to try to do what you wanted to do and realise it's going to take a while to get to grips with the new camera.. there's a temptation to run for a perceived better camera at this point, but you'll just be back at the start of the cycle again.

I'd strongly recommend sticking with the GF2 and working at technique.. right up until you hit something you just can't do with it, no matter what you try.

I've had a flick back through your posts.. you've either not shared many or not taken many with the GF2. To be blunt, all of the ones you've posted have been technically very competent.. the exposure is good, focus is good, etc.. all the bits that the camera is doing. The most immediate improvement could come from working on composition and deciding what you want each image to say.

Incidentally, of the ones you've posted and are still available to view (a lot of the photobucket links are broken) this one..

P1000149.jpg


.. has some real potential to my eye, it's a little different to the conventional rural Spanish landscape.

You can buy a secondhand DSLR, maybe you've already made up your mind to do so, and it's a sensible way of buying a camera (a lot of my gear is bought secondhand - including DSLR body and most lenses, a lot via Ebay). But I genuinely think you'd get more bang for your buck investing in your technique and your eye for photography. I really can't recommend highly enough The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman.

Paul.. get yourself a free Flickr account.. I can point you towards a group or two that might be able to help you along.
Click to expand...

Morning Alastair.

Sorry for the late reply but I've been to work.. (swear word I know) and I have just opend a Flickr account and I've just started to load some pictures I will add more today and chat later.

Paul.
 
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All the equipment I currently use ( camera, 2 lenses, and flash) are all second hand. As long as you buy from somewhere with good reputation ( the classifieds here are great) you shouldn't have any problems.

You'll find that alot of hobby photographers treat their kit well(I know I do!), so there's mint camera bodies cropping up a lot.
 
Another vote for secondhand here:thumbs:

I did buy my D7000 new, but that was only because very few come up for sale used and the price from Hdew was only a few quid more.

It's not only on websites that you'll find good kit for sale. I've discovered many acquaintances who have stuff lying around looking for a good home:naughty:
 
I've bought 2 second hand cameras, both from dealers and both have has shutter failures. I'm probably just unlucky though.

However the refurbed 20D I got quite a few years ago is still going strong.

I think my next body will be new or refurbed.
 
All my gear is second hand but I did buy a 5D with a scratched sensor off ebay. Unfortuantely I only noticed it once I had made the scratch worse, and whilst I could see the evidence in the very earliest photos it was 12 months later that it became noticeable. So buy second hand by all means, but its best if you can see the camera first and DO thoroughly check the sensor!
 
All my gear bar one lens is second hand.
I see no point at all paying full price for something that I can have 2nd hand.

Must admit though most of it (specially the expensive stuff) I bought from people on here or from friends so I know what its been doing.

go for it you will not be disappointed.

spike
 
EspressoJunkie said:
All the equipment I currently use ( camera, 2 lenses, and flash) are all second hand. As long as you buy from somewhere with good reputation ( the classifieds here are great) you shouldn't have any problems.

You'll find that alot of hobby photographers treat their kit well(I know I do!), so there's mint camera bodies cropping up a lot.
Click to expand...

The classifieds are blocked to me, so do I have to pay a joining up fee to use them?
 
Gerrard said:
The classifieds are blocked to me, so do I have to pay a joining up fee to use them?
Click to expand...

It works on time on the forum and posts, I think it'll be the end of the month before you can access them (it's 60 days after joining).
 
Buying photo equipment used is a wise thing to do, as it rarely deteriorates in quality - while the price certainly will. I've had a lot of gear over the years but I've only bought one lens new.
 
Hi Alastair.
I've just ordered that book you suggested, and signed in on that link you sent me.
I will put and opening thread on tomorrow.

Cheers.
 
All of my cameras have been New the only reason is that I have not found them freely available in the second hand market at the time. My current model D7000 is now just starting to appear although they are still few and far between. I have however bought a few second hand lenses. All have been great.
 
Just to bring you up to date..
I have been looking for a second hand camera and to be honest the ones I have seen advertised have been the same price as the new ones in the shops or ebay, so why is that do you reckon.
 
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Gerrard said:
Just to bring you up to date..
I have been looking for a second hand camera and to be honest the ones I have seen advertised have been the same price as the new ones in the shops or ebay, so why is that do you reckon.
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Where are you looking and what camera bodies? Doesn't sound right, you should be paying 50-75% of the new price (depending on age/model etc).

At the real bargain basement end, you can get a body for around £100 (like Canon 10D, 300d, Nikon D50)
 
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