Would you buy from a 'Pro'?

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gramps

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When buying used equipment what are your feeling on buying from 'Pro' verses 'Amateur'?
Is it reasonable to expect that a 'Pro' would look after his equipment better as it's his working tools, or is it more likely to be hammered/treated without care?

So 'Pro' or 'Amateur'?
Or is it impossible to say?
 
Is the camera in good physical condition - Yes/No
Does it have a high shutter count - Yes/No

If yes/no as to both, what does it matter is the seller is a professional or not... you make your choice as you would in any other way.

You can also buy cameras from amateurs with high shutter counts and battle scars.


Silly question.
 
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Uh oh, this could invite some interesting replies!

I would say I shoot around 100-120K images per year (across 3 pro body camera's) so I use the equipment as it was designed to be. Having said that I look after my gear well, being cleaned and checked before every shoot.

Buying professional grade gear that has been used 'professionally' is very different from buying consumer grade items that have had every ounce of life rung out of it. Its more likely a pro will have the camera properly serviced, know what conditions the equipment can handle and know not to try and clean the sensor with a cotton bud. From the other point of view I love buying pro gear from semi-pro's and enthusiasts, as its cheap, normally in mint condition and its them that have taken the hit with depreciation, so more cash in the bank for me.
 
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psenior1 said:
Uh oh, this could invite some interesting replies!

I would say I shoot around 100-120K images per year (across 3 pro body camera's) so I use the equipment as it was designed to be. Having said that I look after my gear well, being cleaned and checked before every shoot.

Buying professional grade gear that has been used 'professionally' is very different from buying consumer grade items that have had every ounce of life rung out of it. Its more likely a pro will have the camera properly serviced, know what conditions the equipment can handle and know not to try and clean the sensor with a cotton bud. From the other point of view I love buying pro gear from semi-pro's and enthusiasts, as its cheap, normally in mint condition and its them that have taken the hit with depreciation, so more cash in the bank for me.
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Helpful answer, thank you :)
 
LOL.. why is it a silly answer? Seriously.. why? If the camera is in great condition, and hasn't been heavily used, what possible difference would it make? And why is my answer predictable? My answer is logical.
 
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Pookeyhead said:
LOL.. why is it a silly answer? Seriously.. why? If the camera is in great condition, and hasn't been heavily used, what possible difference would it make? And why is my answer predictable? My answer is logical.
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You didn't answer my question, you just used the opportunity to once again belittle someone.
 
No.. I did answer you're question. It's obviously not important whether the seller is a pro or not. You judge the camera on it's merits as you normally would. Is it in good condition, and how many frames has it taken. What the seller does for a living is immaterial.

I'm not belittling anyone. I thought it was a stupid question. So?
 
Pookeyhead said:
You judge the camera on it's merits as you normally would. Is it in good condition, and how many frames has it taken. What the seller does for a living is immaterial.
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Absolutely.
 
Its not a daft question, I would be much more wary buying a camera with 150k clicks on it from an enthusiast than I would a pro, when your income depends on a piece of equipment working as it should, people will take better care of it (I would hope). Low mileage and I would say it makes little difference...
 
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Would you buy a three year old Audi A6 that has pootled around the supermarket or one that has been driven heavily on motorways?

Both have their plus and minus points.
 
Buy on condition, age and gut instinct if a deal feels bad walk away there are plenty more fish in the see.

Amateur v's pro doesn't matter as plenty of keen amateurs hammer there kit just as much as pro's and there will be those in both camps that treat kit well and those who abuse it.
 
fracster said:
Would you buy a three year old Audi A6 that has pootled around the supermarket or one that has been driven heavily on motorways?

Both have their plus and minus points.
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It's not the same. Short trips for 150K miles is damaging, whereas 150K miles at 70mph in 5th gear is not (as much). 150K shots on a camera is the same no matter who pressed the shutter. You can't press the shutter in a more damaging way or anything. If a camera has been physically abused... again... it's obvious it has been, and will be just as abused if the abuser is an amateur.

It really doesn't matter IMO. I can see no logic in making the distinction.
 
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Pookeyhead said:
It's not the same. Short trips for 150K miles is damaging, whereas 150K miles at 70mph in 5th gear is not (as much). 150K shots on a camera is the same no matter who pressed the shutter. You can't press the shutter in a more damaging way or anything. If a camera has been physically abused... again... it's obvious it has been, and will be just as abused if the abuser is an amateur.

It really doesn't matter IMO. I can see no logic in making the distinction.
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150k clicks at 10FPS in all weathers photographing planes/birds/cars/bikes/kids is very different to 150k individual clicks over a couple of years in a studio or even at weddings.
 
Well, I should imagine that most amateurs 'hammer' their cameras more than I do and I guess I count as a pro. Which just goes to show that you shouldn't use income status as a way of determining if it's a good bargain or not.

However you should also ask what kind of photography they do. My cameras get lugged around in all weathers in a forest for a long weekend, six times a year. Rain, mud, grit, it gets shoved in all of those things.

But I reckon with the internal servicing I have done regularly, it's probably still in better shape inside than most amateurs cameras are - despite the gouges on the outside.
 
psenior1 said:
150k clicks at 10FPS in all weathers photographing planes/birds/cars/bikes/kids is very different to 150k individual clicks over a couple of years in a studio or even at weddings.
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But that's not a pro/vs amateur issue. Loads of amateurs shoot wildlife... as do pros. And there would be no outward way of telling if that was the case anyway unless the seller volunteered the information.

My advice is.. if you're this paranoid.. just buy a new camera and stop worrying.

[edit]

The fact is.. some pros will take very good care of their gear... others won't. Some amateurs do... some don't.

I really do not think there is any mileage in judging a camera by the professional status of it's owner. You judge the camera on it's own merits.
 
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Pookeyhead said:
But that's not a pro/vs amateur issue. Loads of amateurs shoot wildlife... as do pros. And there would be no outward way of telling if that was the case anyway unless the seller volunteered the information.

My advice is.. if you're this paranoid.. just buy a new camera and stop worrying.
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Absolutely, I was just pointing out that -

Pookeyhead said:
150K shots on a camera is the same no matter who pressed the shutter. You can't press the shutter in a more damaging way or anything.
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isn't correct. Shooting at a high frame rate will be more wearing that individual shots.
 
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psenior1 said:
Absolutely, I was just pointing out that -



isn't correct.
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You'll never, ever know under what conditions the camera has been used. If someone has been using it in high humidity, or poor environments... they will either be honest and say so, or they'll lie and say they haven't. What you gonna do to prove it? Give them a polygraph? Whether they're pro is irrelevant. Whether they are HONEST might be.. and IMO that's far more important. There's nothing to suggest a professional photographer is any more honest than an amateur one.

used goods.. caveat emptor. Go see the camera.. inspect it carefully, make your choice.
 
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whatever, bored now - Last camera I bought was from a studio owner in central London, she was upgrading to a couple of D4's, no doubt what the cameras had been used for. Either way, I've bought enough second hand gear to know what to look for.
 
psenior1 said:
whatever, bored now - Last camera I bought was from a studio owner in central London, she was upgrading to a couple of D4's, no doubt what the cameras had been used for. Either way, I've bought enough second hand gear to know what to look for.
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Exactly. Go check it out. If it's a wreck, don't buy it. Same applies for cameras owned by amateurs.
 
barratt1988 said:
Anyone can drop or bash a camera but ive seen many pros abuse kit as its insured and thus not bothered about cosmetics as long as it gets the job done
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Alternatively as someone who relies on their kit to complete a job, fulfil a contract, and earn their living (or part of it) the last thing you need is your kit to fail, or under perform because you didn't take care of it.

I'm with David. You have to judge it individually on the person selling and on the item they are looking to move on.

I have bought from amateurs, and professionals - there isn't a simple rule other than to make sure you are personally happy with what you are buying based on all the factors. I have also sold a lot of kit to other professionals and amateurs and no-one has complained about the quality of what they have received.

As for insurance - believe me - we don't want to go through the hassle of claiming, being without kit, or paying the excess and higher subsequent premiums if we can help it. Having your kit working, whenever you need it is of primary importance.... and many amateurs insure their kit also either specifically or under contents insurance for their homes.
 
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meonshore said:
A

As for insurance - believe me - we don't want to go through the hassle of claiming, being without kit, or paying the excess and higher subsequent premiums if we can help it. Having your kit working, whenever you need it is of primary importance.... and many amateurs insure their kit also either specifically or under contents insurance for their homes.
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This^^

Anyone who thinks a pro just abuses gear, then claims off insurance is misguided. We'd n more do that than you would abuse your car and claim off your car insurance. You pay one way or the other.
 
Would i buy from a fellow pro who shoots out in the field, yes, probably, if i knew him personally

Would i buy from a fellow pro who is employed by Getty/PA, abso bloody lutly never, they just abuse their gear because they dont own it, they constantly swap between bodies and dont care where they drop one body when switching to another as quick as possible, ive seen some of them using camera armour to physically protect their gear from cosmetic damage but it doesnt stop the innards being knocked about
 
psenior1 said:
when your income depends on a piece of equipment working as it should, people will take better care of it (I would hope).
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Nonsense. Both groups (amateur and professional) have people who look after equipment and people who abuse it (and everything in between).


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Nonsense. Both groups (amateur and professional) have people who look after equipment and people who abuse it (and everything in between).
Steve.
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If you are going to quote please don't edit it so its taken out of context. I was referring to purchasing high mileage pro equipment and of course there are both types of people in both camps, I never implied there weren't, just my opinion and I was talking generally.
 
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i've bought 2 cameras from 2 people in this thread who are Pro's. no problems with either camera so far :banana:

the camera i had before that was also bought from a Pro who doesn't (as far as i know, AGD are you out there?) use this forum. it was a studio backup so not many actuations & pretty much never been outdoors :pompous:
 
i would only buy from an amateur who i know personally and only buy low shutter count items to get the best shelf life possible.
 
I know pros who treat their gear like a child and others like it cost them pennies, same applies to amateurs I'm sure. The bottom line is, is doesn't matter if it is a pro or an amateur, it is the camera/lens condition that matters
 
so long as you know what your buying it really doesant matter who is seeling it.. amatuers can use more than pros.. amatuers can take less care than pros.. amatuers can drop there camer more than pros.. or the other way around....nobody knows bar the person selling it..

so as pookyhead rightly states.. go and have a look at the camera.. find out everyhting you can about it then decide . dont let knowing if the seller is a pro or not sway you in any way...

a pro selling a newish camera hardly used for a rock bottom price shouldnt be ignored just because he is a pro... but neither should an amatuer..

if you step back and think about it.. theres no way of knowing what treatment a camera gets from pro or amatuer.. so why bother knowing who is selling?
 
Thought this thread might be about hookers, but obviously not?! :naughty:
 
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