Is buying 'used' always a good idea?

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Trent

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Trent
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Currently looking for my first SLR and will most likely buy a used set up in the hope of getting most of what i need without breaking the bank, but is it always the best idea?
I have been looking on a well known auction site for a while and there appear to be some decent deals that include a couple of lenses etc but i am a bit wary of parting with my hard earned (£500 is my budget) on something i know little about, then again i can't stretch to the new cost.
Just wanted a general opinion on buying used really.

Any pointers for which camera would be a help also. I have been looking at Canon's and nikon, have felt both and they both feel ok to me, i think never having one before i am not pre judging anything and can adapt to what i get, plus they are two names i am familiar with.
My aim is to take close up makro shots as well as wildlife and possibly some scenery shots as well, so any ideas on what lenses would cover this sort of usage would be a bonus.
Most of the used set ups that i have been looking at often include 2 lenses and sometimes a flash and i was hoping that would get me going. I don't want to get sucked in to the typical go out and buy loads of gear only to find i really don't need it.
 
I've bought loads of second hand stuff on ebay, off sellers on here and from dealers who list in Amateur Photographer. Never had any problems whatsoever. If you're nervous of using ebay, then try a dealer, you'll be paying more but you'll get a warranty.

Can't advise you on gear as I don't shoot nature, but what I will say is I've gradually built up my kit over several years, buying things when I have a need for them, rather than go and splurge a load of money on stuff I have no immediate need for. It's also cheaper (relatively speaking) doing it that way!
 
Thanks Andy, i have no issues with it being from ebay as such because i would collect it personally due to the value and have a look over it.
I think i am just a little concerned that people may pass on gear that is on it's way out and i may not notice because its a field i know little about.

Also, good advise on getting more kit as you need it. I am pretty sure i would be content with a set up that can take good makro really for the time being.
 
With that budget you have (obviously) two choices, buy a new "beginner" camera like the Canon 1100D or the Nikon D3100 (the nikon is arguably the better of the two) you get the warranty and know that you are not in for any nasty surprises. Or you can go second hand. (I went for a new nikon D3100 when it first came out so there was no choice about second hand)

Second hand gives you lots of choices, the best deals you will see most often right now are on the Canon 450D/500D and the Nikon D5000. The 450D will be cheapest but the D000 had the option of two kit lenses and can often be the best bargain. I don't know much about canon but with Nikon the world and his dog are selling the 18-55 AF-S vr kit lens on ebay, I've seen them go in auction for £40-£60 so don't discount buying a body only and going that way.


For what you are looking to do you will need the basics are the 18-55mm and 55-200mm zooms and a tripod. I don't do macro so I'm not sure what kit you need for that.

I'm going to PM you a ebay link to something that would fit the bill.
 
Thank you for that Decca, some very good advice:thumbs:
You are correct and it is the 450d/500d and d5000 that i have been mainly looking at.

Pm replied to.
 
You wont buy an "out of the box" macro set up. As above most packages will be a body and one or two kit lenses, a wide zoom and a telephoto zoom. Neither of which can do macro on thier own.
You have several options for macro.
1. Buy a dedicated macro lens. Cost £200 +
2. Buy a set of extension tubes and a 50mm f/1.8. Cost £100+
3. Buy a Raynox macro attachment to go on the end of the telezoom. Cost £40 ish.

For macro you also need light, so you will need some sort of flash or at least a diffuser for the built in flash, you might also need a tripod, depending on what you are shooting.

Its not cheap, and macro once you really get into can be very very expensive!
I suggest buying a basic kit and getting to grips with the camera for a while before trying to get to specialized. Then you can decide which path to take without wasting money on stuff that you'll end up never using.
 
sites like mpb , mifsuds etc generally offer a 6 months warranty on their used kit - MPB currently have a 450D and grip for £339 for example.
 
Perhaps look in Amateur Photographer this week before having a splurge - compares entry level Canon and Nikon
 
I'm going to put over the other point of view. I have bought 2 second hand bodies, both have suffered shutter failure within 6 months. Luckily this time it was a second hand camera from a shop so it had a warranty.

I won't be buying a second hand body again.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I'm going to put over the other point of view. I have bought 2 second hand bodies, both have suffered shutter failure within 6 months. Luckily this time it was a second hand camera from a shop so it had a warranty.

I won't be buying a second hand body again.
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trouble is that even a new camera can suffer shutter failure or other fault at anytime ( and by the law of sod usually just after it goes out of warranty). look at all the problems that plagued the 1Dmk3 when it was first launched.

I had the focussing motor on a newly bought lens (170-500) fail just after the warranty ended - tho tbf Sigma were very good and repaired it at cost of parts even though they didnt have to
 
I bought my D700 second hand. I also bought my D200, 450D, 50D and D90 second hand. None of them has ever had a problem!

Like Pete says, shutter failure can happen at any time, being second hand has nothing to do with it, of course you may have to foot the bill yourself if its out of shop/manufacture warranty, but the same goes for when you buy second hand car.. Doesnt stop people buying them.
 
i normally look for people who still hvave all the orignal kit including the cable, manual, cd's and box etc as they are more likely to have taken care to the camera...:)
 
Sony_SoFar said:
i normally look for people who still hvave all the orignal kit including the cable, manual, cd's and box etc as they are more likely to have taken care to the camera...:)
Click to expand...

yeah, good call

or people who are honest about the shortcomings, for instance most dealers rate stuff as mint, exc, average, scruffy so if you can see that they are being honest in rating stuff scruffy when it is its more likely that one described as' low use, mint' will bein good nick
 
TCR4x4 said:
You wont buy an "out of the box" macro set up. As above most packages will be a body and one or two kit lenses, a wide zoom and a telephoto zoom. Neither of which can do macro on thier own.
You have several options for macro.
1. Buy a dedicated macro lens. Cost £200 +
2. Buy a set of extension tubes and a 50mm f/1.8. Cost £100+
3. Buy a Raynox macro attachment to go on the end of the telezoom. Cost £40 ish.

For macro you also need light, so you will need some sort of flash or at least a diffuser for the built in flash, you might also need a tripod, depending on what you are shooting.

Its not cheap, and macro once you really get into can be very very expensive!
I suggest buying a basic kit and getting to grips with the camera for a while before trying to get to specialized. Then you can decide which path to take without wasting money on stuff that you'll end up never using.
Click to expand...

I am guessing the cheap option of an attachment won't produce the best results though. I would like to be able to take some insects on plant shots and have a go at some water droplet shots. You are right though i should get to grips with the camera i get first before starting to get carried away on the macro side of things.


Thanks to everyone that has posted.

I think if i buy second hand and there is a failure i can accept that as long as it was'nt sold with the knowledge of a fault.

I will hang on before buying until Amateur photographer comes out and have a read on their comparison between canon and nikon.
 
The Raynox creates some suprising results and is a good introduction to the world of macro at a good price. Certainly wouldnt dismiss it entirely.
 
You can get some very good macro pics with a second hand zeiss 50mm (doesnt matter what fit - mine was an extremly old M42 iirc) and a reversing ring - you reverse it onto the front of the kit lens and it acts like a very high quality macro adaptor

I'd highly recomend a read of "small things big" by paul harcourt davies before you spend out on macro kit
 
Well it is good to know not everything has to cost a fortune.

Interesting and i will have a look for that book Pete, thanks .
 
Sony_SoFar said:
i normally look for people who still hvave all the orignal kit including the cable, manual, cd's and box etc as they are more likely to have taken care to the camera...:)
Click to expand...

Or they know that the second hand value is more if you keep it because people will think you have taken better care of the camera.
 
I`ve just got my 550d off e-bay was local to me so I could pick it up all boxed
with EF-S 18-55 IS kit lens battery grip and a 16g card got it for £496 if you look and wait the right camera will come up good look in your search
 
You could get the best of both worlds and buy used from a dealer.

I spent a couple of months lurking on ebay, watching Nikon D70 prices. A colleague then pointed me at MPB Photographic. They had a used D70s for the same price the D70 usually sells for on ebay and their kit comes with a six month guarantee. I bought it together with a used 18-55VR lens. They arrived well packed the very next day.

I have no connection with them, other than as a satisfied customer. When I want to add to my glassware collection, MPB will be the first place I look.
 
Most of my stuff is s/h,not had a lot of problem,good way of saving money :)

Another thing do you intend to stay,with the cropped sensor,or move up to full frame ?
Might help you decide on which lens you buy.
 
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