Do you buy second hand gear/gadgets?

Eddzz!!

Eddzz!!

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Eddy
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I am currently trying to overcome my OCD in regards to scratches, dents, scuffs and general imperfections when it comes to my gear and gadgets. I'm trying to focus on these things as tools that assist me with my general day-to-day, or professionally when it comes to photography. I found that buying things second hand and not owning them from a 'mint' condition helps with this somewhat. Anyone else out there like me? Got any tips?
 
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Its an excellent way to improve your kit at a reasonable cost

I guess it depends as to what you are buying as to whether you would look at "previously enjoyed" product
 
I am still pretty 'precious' when it comes to my kit, and ill admit that ive often purchased brand new when an excellent second hand mint condition one has been available. I just like buying new stuff...its shiney and smells nice :wacky:

But, since my Daughter has been born, id quite happily buy second hand to fuel my GAS :D
 
I mainly buy new but have bought the odd bit & piece 2nd hand, however I recently bought a Nikon 200-400 which unknown to me had internal damage and is going to be expensive to repair ... I will think twice about buying high-price equipment 2nd hand in the future :(
 
I tend to only buy 2nd hand kit that's at least Mint - dents and scratches tend to hint that the kit's either not been looked after very well or used professionally. If something is priced well enough though, I'm happy to take a chance.
 
It has to be MINT, any careless ownership and I won't pay for it, I'll buy camera bodies new I.e. When I bought my 1dx I wanted it new so that I know its history. Lenses I don't worry too much about unless it's something like a 600L which would mean getting the microscope out if it's second hand :D
 
When I was just getting started in this digital camera thing I bought and sold lots of second hand lenses - trying them to see if I needed them, and selling them on if not.
It must have saved me a fortune over new lenses as most were sold on at little cost to me. That said I didn't buy anything too tatty..
 
A mix of both,a couple things i have brought s/h had fault or were broken when i go them,two of them were refunded without any problems,an I-pad not so lucky,but if i do buy s/h i will refuse to paid top wrack,some s/h things are just to highly priced :(
 
The only things that I buy used are my classic cars, though they're in better condition than they were new 50 years ago lol!

Otherwise 'brand new' for everything.

I did purchase a used PS3 game from erm... GAME...once, but the crusted boogah attached to the instruction manual made me see sense. :/
 
I don't mind stuff that's a little scuffed on the outside as long as functionally it's perfect. When it comes to lenses the used is fine, but I'm in 2 minds over bodies except where they're mint because sensors etc are a bit more sensitive & shutter mechanisms complicated.
 
Eddzz!! said:
I am currently trying to overcome my OCD in regards to scratches, dents, scuffs and general imperfections when it comes to my gear and gadgets.
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I bought a second hand iPad 4 last week, I am also a little fussy with regard to condition so ended up buying it at CEX. They seem to have someone with terrible OCD doing their ratings, if it's graded A it really is like new, I traded my old iPhone 4S in against the iPad and the guy examined the phone with a magnifying glass!
 
I buy 2nd hand although when I'm looking at expensive lenses tend to buy from the likes of LCE or MPB photographic as they have a short-term "not happy return it policy" and provide a 6 month warranty.. I've also found that they often sell lenses cheaper than those advertised on forums like this one too

Simon
 
I buy most of my photo and hifi gear secondhand or ex-dem, plus some fishing stuff as well. I've been one of those who would only buy new and would then sell on due to lack of use, but I'm now the 2nd buyer instead as it's cheaper! And here's a tip for sellers -- your gear is only worth shop prices if it comes with the same fully funded 6 or 12 month warranty and is subject to the Distance Selling Regulations! :wave:
 
I have never bought a new car or motor bike, so buying other used stuff does not freak me out in the least.
Some of the older manual focus lenses which I own, look better than the "plastic" modern lenses which I have had from new, and the sharpest lens in my collection cost £65 of Ebay.
 
I have only bought a tripod, one lens and my Q sling new everything else in my kit is secondhand from here or eBay.

My camera bag is eBay
My 5D mkii is from here with 6k actual actuations
My 70-200 L is from here when I bought my 550D from here.
My 50mm 1.8 is also secondhand from eBay.
My 430Ex ii flash is eBay

So far I have never had any problems with anything I have purchased secondhand.
 
Yup, most of my lenses are second hand. I've had them over 5 years without issues, and its a good way of affording the lenses I wanted.
 
90% of the gear I've owned over the years is used' makes for cheap or free gear as depreciation is virtually zero

People that have to upgrade the day the Mk 2-3-4 is launched fuel the secondhand market with barely used gear

Latest purchase after selling all my gear last year as the taxman wouldn't take it :D

D300 17k clicks
MB-D10 grip
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR
2 8mb memory cards
Cheap bag

All bought as a kit from the original owner with boxes for £1000
 
I don't have problem buying used/refurbished, providing you can do some research and also have the facility to return the goods if it's not as described.

I buy quite a lot of manual lenses from charity shops, but you do have the opportunity to test before purchase. I have also bought lenses off eBay and have only had to return one because it was not as described.
 
I'm a snob when it comes to bodies (same with musical instruments) they have to be new, but lenses...nah, I'm not that fussed. Minor scratches I'm not phased by, - a camera focuses through them, but I do feel bad selling them on with the same scratches. I do like the original cap if possible though. I also find it hard to part with things, for example, there's some features that I don't like on a DSLR I've sold to a friend...and I feel bad that he's getting the DSLR with these features, despite them being standard, just because I don't like them (I don't like the pop up flash or hotshoe mount, or how it handles high iso, hence switching to Nikon).
 
Nod said:
I tend to only buy 2nd hand kit that's at least Mint - dents and scratches tend to hint that the kit's either not been looked after very well or used professionally. If something is priced well enough though, I'm happy to take a chance.
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I don't really follow you here Nod. Isn't mint the highest classification for used gear? Just as it came from the manufacturer, unused/no signs of use, and spotless?
 
I've no problem with 2nd hand kit or gadgets.

Once you've bought your new item, opened it and used it - it's no different to a mint second hand item anyway.
 
Martyn, yes, in an ideal world kit described as Mint would be just that but some dealers and private sellers are less picky than others! For me, the box as well as the kit has to be pristine - a dented box has probably been dropped when full, empty ones don't dent. Lenses must be spotless and have no dust inside (I know it's unlikely to show in images but I'll know it's there!) and I haven't bought a 2nd hand DSLR, although I did buy an FSLR which was spotless.
 
I always buy second hand if I can - I also sell second hand a lot. You need to be a bit careful of condition of course, but I'm not keen on a world where everything is discarded. We should be trying to make things last (he preached!) :-)

Cameras are particularly annoying. My D200 was a great camera body - why could I not buy a new sensor and new processor to slot in, as you can add a new MPU or GPU to a PC? It would be possible to design them that way I'm sure (but of course no incentive to do so, as revenue would be much less). But I'd rather re-use the screen, buttons, battery, body etc, and just change out the sensor/shutter mechanism, or processor.

Who would be the first camera company to make a modular camera...?
 
Nod said:
Martyn, yes, in an ideal world kit described as Mint would be just that but some dealers and private sellers are less picky than others! For me, the box as well as the kit has to be pristine - a dented box has probably been dropped when full, empty ones don't dent. Lenses must be spotless and have no dust inside (I know it's unlikely to show in images but I'll know it's there!) and I haven't bought a 2nd hand DSLR, although I did buy an FSLR which was spotless.
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I'm with you now. I know most of the major dealers provide definitions for condition, and there's probably going to be some subjectivity when it comes to Excellent ++, Excellent +, Very Good etc, but mint should be unequivocal in my opinion. The only category which might be higher than mint would be what some of my gun collector US friends call New In Box (NIB), meaning that the firearm is mint, unfired since it left the factory, revolver cylinders unturned, and complete with the instructions and all the accessories still sealed in their original plastic bags. Effectively, a new gun that's been through a previous owner. Grays occaisionally have Nikon bodies like this.

I bought my FM used, and it's probably a Very Good example, or a little better. Mechanically perfect, but with some cosmetic wear. I'm fine with that, and I probably wouldn't buy a mint example if I was going to use it. I'll leave that for a collector, but that's just me!
 
MartynK said:
I'm with you now. I know most of the major dealers provide definitions for condition, and there's probably going to be some subjectivity when it comes to Excellent ++, Excellent +, Very Good etc, but mint should be unequivocal in my opinion. I suspect that some private sellers may have their own ideas about what constitutes mint though, as you say. Perhaps "A Nice One"? The only category which might be higher than mint would be what some of my gun collector US friends call New In Box (NIB), meaning that the firearm is mint, unfired since it left the factory, revolver cylinders unturned, and complete with the instructions and all the accessories still sealed in their original plastic bags. Effectively, a new gun that's been through a previous owner. Grays occaisionally have Nikon bodies like this.

I bought my FM used, and it's probably a Very Good example, or a little better. Mechanically perfect, but with some cosmetic wear. I'm fine with that, and I probably wouldn't buy a mint example if I was going to use it. I'll leave that for a collector, but that's just me!
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most of my lenses have been 2nd hand , my 50-500 sigma , my 70-300 sigma, 10-20 sigma,and my canon 70-200 f 4 L , and my shutter remote , the 70-200 canon and the 10-20 plus the remote i got from here i have no probs buying 2nd hand lenses if there a good bit cheaper than new
 
Moadib said:
Cameras are particularly annoying. My D200 was a great camera body - why could I not buy a new sensor and new processor to slot in, as you can add a new MPU or GPU to a PC? It would be possible to design them that way I'm sure (but of course no incentive to do so, as revenue would be much less). But I'd rather re-use the screen, buttons, battery, body etc, and just change out the sensor/shutter mechanism, or processor.

Who would be the first camera company to make a modular camera...?
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There already are modular camera systems, they just don't offer this for small format cameras. If you go medium format, you can get swappable backs that will allow you to easily upgrade your sensor or switch your digital back for a film one.
 
Received a lens this morning I'd 'won' on ebay. The description said 'no dents or dings' yet there was a dent in the metal outer casing so bad it made focusing really stiff. There was no significant damage to the packaging so it must have been shipped like it, but the vendor claims it was fine and wanted shots of the package (which I have). I'm glad it wasn't expensive, but it's a lens I very much wanted and I'm miffed it's not as described. Caveat emptor & all that. :(
 
ancient_mariner said:
Received a lens this morning I'd 'won' on ebay. The description said 'no dents or dings' yet there was a dent in the metal outer casing so bad it made focusing really stiff. There was no significant damage to the packaging so it must have been shipped like it, but the vendor claims it was fine and wanted shots of the package (which I have). I'm glad it wasn't expensive, but it's a lens I very much wanted and I'm miffed it's not as described. Caveat emptor & all that. :(
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I tend not to trust people online that I'm not familiar with. All of my second hand gear I buy exclusively here or on AVForums, because I trust the communities. Buying camera gear from eBay just carries too many unnecessary risks for me!
 
That's understandable, but there's not enough Minolta/Sony kit going through here to make that a viable option. And I have had some good purchases through the bay too.
 
A couple of my computers are second hand, and many of my lenses - quite hard to buy a "new" Minolta lens nowadays.

ancient_mariner said:
That's understandable, but there's not enough Minolta/Sony kit going through here to make that a viable option. And I have had some good purchases through the bay too.
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Dyxum, the 70-200/2.8 SSM G, 100/2.8 SF and 135/1.8 came from there.

I have also made successful purchases on ebay (17-35/3.5G and 300/4G for example), although I also had one lens that came with fungus early on.
 
I'm a member of Dyxum too, though not terribly active.
 
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