**If this subject has been covered before in another thread, please feel free to just post the link -- I couldn't find it, and I wouldn't want to be boring or repetitive.**
I think I've gone just about as far as one can go with an entry-level DSLR and mediocre (and impossibly slow) lens. The main thing that's going to improve my photography at this point is a solid camera/glass upgrade, IMHO. I've pretty much figured out what I need and have narrowed it down. Now... where to find it in the used market?
I looked on this site of course first! But what I need has not been/is not presently listed.
So...
What sites and sources have you used and had positive experiences with for used gear?
Is there any way to know HOW used a used camera is?
KEH.com is primarily a used camera gear company, although they do sell the most popular 35-based gear as well. I've ordered several lenses from them in the past and have had no roblem. They have a reputation for undergrading their equipment, which from a consumer popint of view is a good thing. They are probably the best starting point for your search.
Midwest Camera (mpex.com) also carries some used gear as well, although they are best known for their medium format and large format gear. 35 mm based digital pays the bills the bills for them but don't worry. They want your 5'th and 6'th purchases as well and treat you well enough to earn it. I primarily buy LF gear and Epson products from them.
I've never bought used gear from B&H, but they have a very good reputation (and if the budget allows, a Canon 1200 mm f5.6 for a mere $120,000).
Adorama has a good reputation for new gear, but I have heard some horror stories over the last couple of years coming out of their used department. I've never bought used from them.
Also, check some of the local camera stores. Sometimes, if you are there at the right time, something may pop up.
Knowing how used a camera is may or may not be easy. I keep my camera at continuous numbering, without it resetting when a new folder comes up. That is pretty easy to do and lower the shot count. There are some hacks to read the EXIF data that gives a true count, but availability depends on the camera model and make.
IF you go through any of the first three sellers listed, they can help you and maybe even give a good estimate. For a private sale, look at the physical condition of the camera. Is it worn? Scratched? How was it used? Pro use? Heavy amateur use? (MPEX knows a lot of their customers and can help estimate this). Shoot the camera at f22-f32 and see what the sensor looks like. You are looking for scratches. Dust can be cleaned, but there shouldn't be a lot there. If there is, wonder about how well cared for the camera was.
Given the choice, put the money towards glass and keep the body.
Last, any ideas as to what you are looking for, in terms of gear, lenses, photographic goals and if your are comfortable answering it here, budget?
I bought a used lens from B&H. when it arrived, I discovered it had been refurbished. I couldn't tell it from new.
I bought a used film SLR from B&H. It seemed like new, but was defective. They took it back- no hassle, but had no replacement and so refunded the purchase price.
Don't forget a good tripod, one of the most valuable pieces of equipment to help you make better pictures.
The Buy and Sell forum at www.fredmiranda.com is an excellent source of used gear. The feedback system there works very well to give buyers peace of mind.
I'm a KEH fan too. Have gotten some like-new stuff at a very fair price. they also buy used gear. .
The conditions they list are honest and when they say mint they mean mint+.
Totally honest , reliable, and trustworthy.
You might ask for suggestions here, too, about what to move up to. Also, Many of us have unadvertised used gear hanging around that we might part with, if you put up a "wanted" advert.
Thank you very much for your detailed and helpful replies!
As to what gear I am thinking of getting: probably a used Nikon D200, because I have access through a friend to some pretty amazing glass, including a couple of pro lenses, with option to buy these lenses for little money. (Her husband, a pro photographer who worked for Nat Geo Music, passed away recently.) This would be a good body choice, and pretty affordable on the used market... I think? (Feel free to comment!)
If I didn't have access to these lenses, and actually my first choice for a gear upgrade: Canon 50D with 300F4 and 1.4X teleconverter. I might buy the camera new and lens on the used market. I'm still not sure I don't want to go this route, although it of course would be more costly than just getting a Nikon body and being able to use a range of amazing lenses for free. Decisions, decisions.
I have used KEH many times. They provide an excelent and trustworthy buying experience. Everything is conservatively rated -- e.g. "bargain" is way better than you might guess.
I've bought items from KEH and agree they are a good source. However, they rarely have what I want. I mostly buy from eBay. The trick to that is to plan purchases and buy when fewer people are. Fourth of July weekend might be good. Mostly, I buy things from there in February or March, when fewer people seem to be buying. This time of year prices are generally the highest and I avoid buying now. Another place I've had some luck is doing google searches for what I want and adding "craigs list" to my search. This is how to search all of Craig's List, not just local listings. All but one of the four lenses I use regularly have come from eBay. I now have over $4,000 in lighting, and all but three pieces of that came from eBay. The other three came from Craigs listings. My D300 was bought from a Cameta Auciton on eBay too. As I said though, I generally plan purchases months in advance, check eBay twice a day for any buy-it-now bargains.
Rebecka, re the Nikon-- do a search on these forums for D200; I remember reading that people have had problems with them, sending them back to Nikon more than once. A used D300, while more expensive, is a much better camera (very good re noise, live view, higher-res LCD screen, etc.) and will take longer to show its technological age.
I, too, have had nothing but good experience with KEH, both buying and selling. I also have a D200 and have never had a problem with it. There were some banding issues with some of the early adopted models. I believe that was fixed on those models. I haven't had it.
I would agree that the D300 is a "better" body -- primarily because of its low noise -- D200 isn't a great performer for very low light, long exposures -- compared to the 300. But that's advancing technology. I am very happy with the D200 and if it fits your needs, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
Discussion
10 repliesI think I've gone just about as far as one can go with an entry-level DSLR and mediocre (and impossibly slow) lens. The main thing that's going to improve my photography at this point is a solid camera/glass upgrade, IMHO. I've pretty much figured out what I need and have narrowed it down. Now... where to find it in the used market?
I looked on this site of course first! But what I need has not been/is not presently listed.
So...
What sites and sources have you used and had positive experiences with for used gear?
Is there any way to know HOW used a used camera is?
Thanks in advance,
Rebecka
Midwest Camera (mpex.com) also carries some used gear as well, although they are best known for their medium format and large format gear. 35 mm based digital pays the bills the bills for them but don't worry. They want your 5'th and 6'th purchases as well and treat you well enough to earn it. I primarily buy LF gear and Epson products from them.
I've never bought used gear from B&H, but they have a very good reputation (and if the budget allows, a Canon 1200 mm f5.6 for a mere $120,000).
Adorama has a good reputation for new gear, but I have heard some horror stories over the last couple of years coming out of their used department. I've never bought used from them.
Also, check some of the local camera stores. Sometimes, if you are there at the right time, something may pop up.
Knowing how used a camera is may or may not be easy. I keep my camera at continuous numbering, without it resetting when a new folder comes up. That is pretty easy to do and lower the shot count. There are some hacks to read the EXIF data that gives a true count, but availability depends on the camera model and make.
IF you go through any of the first three sellers listed, they can help you and maybe even give a good estimate. For a private sale, look at the physical condition of the camera. Is it worn? Scratched? How was it used? Pro use? Heavy amateur use? (MPEX knows a lot of their customers and can help estimate this). Shoot the camera at f22-f32 and see what the sensor looks like. You are looking for scratches. Dust can be cleaned, but there shouldn't be a lot there. If there is, wonder about how well cared for the camera was.
Given the choice, put the money towards glass and keep the body.
Last, any ideas as to what you are looking for, in terms of gear, lenses, photographic goals and if your are comfortable answering it here, budget?
I bought a used film SLR from B&H. It seemed like new, but was defective. They took it back- no hassle, but had no replacement and so refunded the purchase price.
Don't forget a good tripod, one of the most valuable pieces of equipment to help you make better pictures.
The conditions they list are honest and when they say mint they mean mint+.
Totally honest , reliable, and trustworthy.
You might ask for suggestions here, too, about what to move up to. Also, Many of us have unadvertised used gear hanging around that we might part with, if you put up a "wanted" advert.
Good luck -
Sandy.
Sandy r
As to what gear I am thinking of getting: probably a used Nikon D200, because I have access through a friend to some pretty amazing glass, including a couple of pro lenses, with option to buy these lenses for little money. (Her husband, a pro photographer who worked for Nat Geo Music, passed away recently.) This would be a good body choice, and pretty affordable on the used market... I think? (Feel free to comment!)
If I didn't have access to these lenses, and actually my first choice for a gear upgrade: Canon 50D with 300F4 and 1.4X teleconverter. I might buy the camera new and lens on the used market. I'm still not sure I don't want to go this route, although it of course would be more costly than just getting a Nikon body and being able to use a range of amazing lenses for free. Decisions, decisions.
And oh yes: a tripod.
Kent in SD
I would agree that the D300 is a "better" body -- primarily because of its low noise -- D200 isn't a great performer for very low light, long exposures -- compared to the 300. But that's advancing technology. I am very happy with the D200 and if it fits your needs, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.